Kestrel DG200 canopy mod.

The MAUW (Dry) of a Kestrel 19 (Series 1,2,3) is 990 lbs... stated in the POH (Issue 2). Originally, it was 960 lbs dry, but Slingsby issued an update.

In the UK, there is a 3% increase (BGA concession, non-aerobatic) in dry weight to 1020 lbs, so there must be some engineering done somewhere at sometime to allow for that increase.

I would hazard a guess that going beyond those limits makes you a test pilot.

What you really want is a Series 4 Kestrel, which allows for an additional hundred pounds of dry weight!

-John Brake
Kestrel 19 #1789

I have seen an increase in the weight of non lifting parts granted for a decrease in VNE. Proper engineering was done and the mod was approved by GFA. Let's face it, you do not need a VNE of 135 knots in Kestrel.

The UK increase applies to all gliders, with the new limitation of no aerobatics. No engineering done at all.
I’m surprised how many don’t seem to understand the concept of the weight of the none lifting parts, that is what you need to worry about, and that is where the 3% increase was granted..