Editing Advanced Soaring Concepts (section)

== Aircraft ==

=== Spirit ===

The '''[[Advanced Soaring Concepts Spirit|ASC Spirit]]''', also known as the '''American Spirit''', was a single-seat, mid-wing, [[T-tail]] sailplane designed for the [[FAI Standard Class]]. First flown in 1992, it featured a 15-meter wingspan and was constructed using a combination of welded steel tubing and [[carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer]] materials. The Spirit was marketed as a homebuilt aircraft and gained a following for its combination of performance and affordability.<ref>{{cite book |last=Purdy |first=Don |title=AeroCrafter: Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook |edition=5th |publisher=BAI Communications |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-9636409-6-3}}</ref>

=== Falcon ===

The '''[[Advanced Soaring Concepts Falcon|ACS Falcon]]''', also known as the '''American Falcon''', is a single-seat, mid-wing, [[T-tail]] sailplane designed for the [[FAI 15-Metre Class]]. First flown in 1993, it was developed as a racing variant of the [[Advanced Soaring Concepts Spirit|Spirit]], featuring several enhancements for competitive performance. The Falcon's construction utilizes fiberglass sandwich materials, with a [[carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer]] spar, and an [[Aramid]]-reinforced cockpit built around a welded steel tube frame.

The 15-meter wingspan can be extended to 18 meters with optional wingtip extensions. The aircraft is equipped with full-span trailing edge flaps, adjustable to +15°, +10°, +5°, 0°, and -5°, coupled with top-surface Schempp-Hirth-style airbrakes for glidepath control. The cockpit accommodates pilots up to 76 inches (193 cm) in height and weighing up to 260 pounds (118 kg) with a parachute. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel design.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advanced Soaring Concepts Falcon |url=https://plane.spottingworld.com/Advanced_Soaring_Concepts_Falcon |website=Plane Spotting World |access-date=2025-04-16}}</ref>

=== Apex ===

One of ASC's most notable projects was the development of the '''[[Advanced Soaring Concepts Apex|Apex]]''', a [[high-altitude platform station|high-altitude]], long-duration research sailplane designed for [[NASA]]. The Apex was intended to explore the upper limits of sailplane performance and contribute to [[atmospheric science]] research, but ultimately never made it to production.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apex High Altitude Research Aircraft |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/Apex/index.html |website=NASA |access-date=2025-04-16}}</ref>