The FireFly is a significant breakthrough in
ultralight aircraft. Easy-to-build and designed to be a legal ultralight
under FAR Part 103. We have observed that most
legal ultralight aircraft suffer from a lack of performance.
We at Kolb Aircraft think flying an ultralight aircraft
should be safe, fun, and affordable. Pilots should not have to
give up performance when flying an ultralight so we have
designed the FireFly to be a "real" aircraft with a
level of performance that can fly rings around other
ultralight aircraft. After all, who wants to drift around like
a kite when you can be buzzing through the sky like a
fighter? The FireFly also offers the mainstay features
all Kolb aircraft are known for: quick-folding wings,
enclosable cockpit, welded chrome-moly steel fuselage cage
and, of course, outstanding performance. Kolb offers
more safety, fun and performance in 254 pounds than any other
manufacturer.
Kolb Aircraft's Firefly 103 Legal Ultralight is a single-seat, open-cockpit, high-wing aircraft that is designed for recreational flying. It is powered by a Rotax 503 engine and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph. The Firefly 103 is a great choice for those looking to get into recreational flying without breaking the bank. Viagra, on the other hand, is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual health issues. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing for improved erections. Viagra is a safe and effective treatment option for many men, but it is important to speak to a doctor before taking it.
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Pictured above is 2004 EAA Sun-N-Fun
Best
Construction Kit FireFly owner Robin Bassett.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE
The performance of the FireFly is absolutely awesome. You
need to see a FireFly in the air to truly appreciate what it
can do. Seeing how 40 horsepower pushes this 254 pound
aircraft is eye-opening.
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STURDY CONSTRUCTION
The welded chrome-moly steel fuselage cage provides the
solid feel of the "real" airplane. For
strength and durability in airframe structures, aluminum and
steel are superior. The heart of the FireFly, the
fuselage cage, is made from strong, factory welded 4130
chrome-moly steel. We also use 4130 steel in all high stress
areas. Compare a FireFly wing with the typical sailcloth
wing of other ultralight's and you will see the
difference. FireFly wings have rigid truss ribs and a
massive 5" aircraft aluminum wing spar. Covered
with Stits aircraft covering, there is no comparison!
SPORTY HANDLING
The FireFly has conventional 3-axis, cable, and push-pull
tube controls. It is very responsive and light on the
controls, yet is not twitchy or sensitive. The FireFly
also has gentle stall characteristics. Upon entering a stall
from straight and level flight, there is some sink which
precedes the stall. Continuing into the stall, there
will be a gentle break at about 30 mph and the nose will
drop. The aircraft gains speed and resumes flying with a
reduction of stick back pressure.
Although
Kolb aircraft are easy to fly and have gentle flight
characteristics, they are also high performance aircraft. We
recommend training or some transition training before
attempting flight in our aircraft.
| Flaperons are standard equipment and decrease the stall
speed by 4-5 mph, but more importantly, allow for very steep
descents without building up excessive airspeed. This is
exactly what is needed to drop into a short field or for an
emergency landing.
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Pictured above is Stanley Chitwood's
FireFly at
his home in Somerset Ky.
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Optional brakes provide for sure stops and the optional
individual heel pedals allow a tighter turning radius.
The flaperons and optional brakes allow the FireFly to be
landed, stopped and maneuvered in very tight areas.
GREAT VISIBILITY
The fact is, better visibility makes for more enjoyable
flying. The pusher configuration of the FireFly provides
the vastly superior visibility that Kolb aircraft have become
known for. There is 360 degree visibility from the cabin
and an optional full canopy enclosure allows comfortable
flying in cooler weather. The rear engine eliminates
exhaust fumes and reduces noise levels.
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Pictured above is Steve Zigan's FireFly
demonstrating the folding wings.
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FOLDING WINGS & TAIL
Like all Kolb aircraft, the FireFly has folding wings and
tail which allow for easy storage or trailering. The
tail folds up and the wings fold back along the fuselage in
about 15 minutes by one person. Everything stores right
on the airframe.
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Even Quicker Folding: The horizontal
stabilizers/elevators fold upward and the wings fold rearward staying attached at the universal joint. The FireFly
has one more time savings feature... there is no need to disconnect the lift strut from the wings.
They need only be disconnected
from the fuselage cage. The lift strut assembly then folds forward and lies flat with the
bottom of the wing. This saves disconnecting two clevis pins and also saves the effort to
secure the lift struts when trailering. Many of our customers fold and unfold their
airplanes routinely every time they fly -- year after year. This allows for money
saving compact storage at the airport or at home.
Weight Considerations
The builder must exercise care to keep the FireFly as
light as possible as it is being built. The FireFly was
designed to weigh less than 254 lbs. with a 40 hp engine,
standard windshield, minimal paint and basic
instruments. The FAA, in accordance with FAR 103.7 allows 24
lbs. over the 254 lb. limit for a parachute. The BRS
soft-pack weighs 16.5 lbs.; therefore, you have an additional
7.5 lbs. available which will cover the weight of brakes and
full enclosure. Individual FAA inspectors may allow the
full 24 lbs. or only the actual weight of the parachute.
Both situations are possible under the present
regulations. The bottom line is that you have the option
to point out that the full 24 lbs. "may" be allowed
under the existing regulations. This may sound
complicated, but we want you to be aware of the choices you
have. If anything is unclear to you, please call us.
|
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
|
| Seating |
one. |
| Wing Span |
22 ft. |
| Wing Area |
117 sq. ft. |
| Length |
20 ft. (same folded) |
| Height |
69 in. (same folded)
75 in. with 3-blade prop
Height and width are based on
standard prop. Larger prop with more blades add to the height
and width of the aircraft. |
| Width (folded) |
57 in. at wheels
66 in. with 2-blade prop
Height and width are based on
standard prop. Larger prop with more blades add to the height
and width of the aircraft. |
| Empty Weight |
250 lbs. (typically) |
| Gross Weight |
500 lbs
Weight is approximate and may
vary . Manufacturer's tolerances in tube wall thickness, engine size,
and doping and painting of the aircraft are a few of the many items
which may introduce weight variations.. |
| Fuel Capacity |
5 gal. |
| Load Factor |
+4 g, -2 g (limit) |
| Stall Speed |
27 mph (per FAR 103.7)
27 mph (actual) |
| Vne |
80 mph |
| Build time with Factory Quick Build |
Approx. 160 hrs
|
| Full Assembly Option Available |
Complete build |
|
|
| 40
HP ENGINE |
|
| Reduction Unit |
2.58:1 |
| Propeller |
66 in. diameter two-blade |
| Takeoff Distance |
150 ft. |
Rate of Climb
is based on a 175
lb. pilot |
750 fpm
|
| Top Speed |
63 mph (per FAR 103.7) |
| Cruise Speed |
63 mph |
| FACTORY QUICK
BUILD |
These
structures/operations are done |
| Wings |
2 Built |
| Ailerons |
2 Built |
| Vertical Stabilizer |
1 Built |
| Horizontal Stabilizers |
2 Built |
| Elevators |
2 Built |
| Rudder |
1 Built |
| Wing Alignment |
Wings are attached and aligned with fuselage |
| Lift Struts |
Are assembled to correct length |
| Tail Alignment |
Tail surfaces are aligned and attached to
fuselage tube |
| Tail Wire Bracing |
Made to length with ends swedged |
| Tail Hinges |
All hinges for horizontal stabilizers,
elevator, rudder, aligned, and temporarily installed. |
| Fuselage " H " Section |
Installed |
|
|
| FIREFLY FABRIC
COVERING KIT |
|
Firefly
Kit |
|
|
Fabric covering and finish paint are NOT included in kit prices.
The Kolb Covering Kit uses the Poly-Fiber process. The Kit includes fabric,
fabric tapes, fabric cement (Poly-Tak), fabric coatings (Poly-Brush), solvents,
special large head fabric rivets, a Rib Rivet Drilling Fixture, Poly-Fiber Manual,
and an instructional video. Finish Paint is not included in the Fabric Covering
Kit, however, 50 Poly-Fiber colors are available. |
| WARNING:
We do not recommend doing aerobatics in our airplanes.
Aerobatics can be dangerous; every year we read of even
professionals dying while performing aerobatics (even in
airplanes designed for aerobatics!). Statistically the
odds are greatly against you when performing aerobatic
maneuvers compared with normal flying. Even aside from
any structural problems, botched maneuvers can easily
kill. If you really want to do aerobatics, we would
recommend you purchase an airplane designed specifically
for that purpose. While some have performed aerobatics
in our designs, we still DO NOT recommend it. For
example: two people may do a loop and one may put twice
the stress on the airplane than the other. So, just
because you see someone doing it, does not necessarily
mean you can do it as safely. |
 |
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Let's have
some fun!!
You can build your aircraft Wish List!
Just click here. |
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|
|
Gregg Kaat
Kolb Firefly
completed 9/2012"
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We
call it the TriFly!
