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American GEM - Youth Flight training System (from Lithuanian Youth Glider)

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DBN

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2021
Messages
21
Location
Indianapolis, IN
The American GEM - Youth Flight Training System consists of: American GEM Ground Effect Machine ( hence GEM) glider, a Plane on a Post [PoP] Stationary trainer rig, powered ground tow line loop, ground school - and sortie by sortie flight plan for students, all of which fit easily into an 8'X8'X22' standard enclosed trailer. We are based in Indianapolis IN. There is a FaceBook page American GEM will get you there.

Currently have two GEM's, prototype is a modified Kolb Firefly - 22' wingspan, with safety cage, PoP fitting, and Glider Tow release. Gear is modified to be nearly "flat" for initial training. GEM #2 has FireStar wings (27'- w/ under camber) and has flown at less than 25 mph.

GEM #1 has been used extensively with youth 11-16 (and some adults! it is FUN) for PoP training and low and high speed taxi training. It "hops" at about 25-27 mph.

Next step is the Ground Tow Line power system - fabrication is underway now!

We start tow testing and verification of the taxi portion of the Instructors and Students curricula next week.

Video is of GEM #1 (still wearing some leading edge flagging for attention at an event - will not do that again!) as we did an assembly / disassembly check list confirmation.

Intent is to get to a full package that we will provide INFORMATION on to others wanting to duplicate the Lithuanian LAK-16 based ground tow line flight training system.

If you are in the Central Indiana area and want to help PLEASE contact us via the FB page.Screen Shot 2021-05-01 at 5.38.06 PM.pngScreen Shot 2021-05-01 at 5.38.35 PM.pngScreen Shot 2021-05-01 at 5.39.09 PM.png
 
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