I just destroyed my Great Planes Spirit Select, an RTF package, that I have really enjoyed for about 60 great hi-start launches. I was learning how to use the club winch, got a bad launch, panicked, and put the plane into the ground very hard. Anyone need some tooth picks?

So I am going to build a new one from a kit. This is my very first kit, so I would appreciate any advice on building it.

Are there any pieces or places in the build process where I should deviate from the plans to reinforce the structure? I plan to build it stock, so I am not looking for modifications to the plans other than to improve the strength or to reduce the weight of the structure where appropriate.

I will be keeping the wing as a two piece wing. My habit was to tape the wing halves together with clear packing tape. The wings never fluttered on the strongest hi-start launches, even in 15 MPH winds. My NE Sail planes hi-start has 1/2" tubing and easily launches 3 meter+ planes. I get very powerful launches.

While the stab mount had been prone to breakage, it was easily fixed and I believed that this breakage probably saved the stab from damage. Sort of a sacrificial release point. Any thoughts on this?

Since I am still a fairly new pilot, I planned to stay with the rubber band wing mount method, but would be open to any alternate ideas.

Any advice on glues or gluing techniques?

Would I benefit from the addition of carbon fiber rod, tube, sheet, cloth or thread for reinforcement at key stress points?

Most of the time it will be launched using that powerful hi-start, but I am planning to do more and more launches using the club winch, so strength is important to me. I don't expect to zoom it, but since this is a new build, now is the time to consider reinforcement or enhancement to the structure.

I will be building in the spoilers using servos in the wings. I had recently added the spoilers in this fashion to the Spirit Select and really loved the way they helped with landings.

I will be covering the plane with Monokote.

Just for background, in addition to the 60 Spirit launches, I also have about 100 flights on an Aerobird electric parkflyer and about 20 flights on an Electrajet delta wing park flyer ARF foam kit that I built.

Thanks for any tips you may be able to provide as I start building my new sailplane.