Advanced Soaring Concepts Falcon
{{Short description|American glider}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name=Falcon
| image=
| caption=
| type=Glider
| national_origin=United States
| manufacturer=Advanced Soaring Concepts
| designer=Tor Jensen
| first_flight=1993
| introduction=
| retired=
| status=Production completed
| primary_user=
| more_users=
| produced=
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| developed_from=
| variants=Advanced Soaring Concepts Spirit
}}
The Advanced Soaring Concepts Falcon, also called the Advanced Soaring Concepts American Falcon, is an American mid-wing, T-tailed, single-seat, FAI 15-Metre Class glider that was designed by Tor Jensen and produced by Advanced Soaring Concepts, and first flew in 1993.{{Cite web |title=J2mcL Planeurs - Fiche planeur n° |url=https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=2459 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=www.j2mcl-planeurs.net}} The aircraft was produced as a kit for amateur construction.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=100 |title=Falcon Advanced Soaring Concepts |access-date=3 September 2011 |last=Activate Media |year=2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820213228/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=100 |archive-date=20 August 2011 }}{{Cite news|url = http://www.eaa1000.av.org/fltrpts/amfalcon/amfalcon.htm|title = Limited Flying Qualities Evaluation Of The American Falcon|access-date = 3 September 2011|last = Payne|first = Jim|date=March 1994| work = Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1000}}
Design and development
The Falcon was designed by Jensen as the 15-metre class version of the FAI Standard Class Spirit.
The aircraft is made predominantly from fiberglass sandwiches, with the wing spar made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. The cockpit is made from welded steel tube, reinforced with Aramid. Its {{convert|15|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has optional extensions that bring the span to {{convert|18|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}. Glidepath control is via full span trailing edge flaps, coupled with top surface Schempp-Hirth-style airbrakes. The flaps can be set to +15°, +10°, +5°, 0°, and -5° in flight. The cockpit was designed to accommodate a pilot of up to {{convert|76|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} in height and weighing up to {{convert|260|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} with parachute. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel.
Specifications (Falcon)
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|ref=Sailplane Directory and EAA
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|empty weight lb=580
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|stall speed kts=33
|stall speed note=in landing configuration
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|never exceed speed kts=145
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|g limits=-3/+6
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|glide ratio=44:1
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See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Advanced Soaring Concepts aircraft}}
Category:1990s United States sailplanes