Kolb Firefly

The Kolb Firefly is an American open cockpit, single seat, high wing, pusher configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft that is produced in kit form by New Kolb Aircraft of London, Kentucky and intended for amateur construction. The aircraft was designed in 1995.[1][3][4][5][6]

Kolb Firefly
Kolb Firefly
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer New Kolb Aircraft
Introduction 1995
Status In production
Number built 500 (Dec 2011)[1]
Unit cost
US$8590 (2010 cost, less engine)[2]
Developed from Kolb Firestar

The Firefly is a development of the Kolb Firestar and was designed to comply with the American FAR 103 ultralight regulations, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.[3][4]

Design and development

The Firefly was intended to be a FAR 103 legal ultralight that was powered by the heavier 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 engine. The 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 engine was also an option when the aircraft was first offered.[3][4][5]

The design features a forward fuselage of welded 4130 steel tubing, mated to an aluminum tailboom. The horizontal stabilizer, tail fin and wings are also constructed of riveted aluminum tubing with all flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. The wings are quick-folding for storage and ground transport.[3]

The factory kit options include a complete cockpit enclosure, brakes, quick build option, Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute and steel tube powder coating.[2]


Specifications (Firefly)

Data from Cliche and Kitplanes[3][4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
  • Wingspan: 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
  • Wing area: 117 sq ft (10.9 m2)
  • Empty weight: 253 lb (115 kg)
  • Gross weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 447 twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 40 hp (30 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 70 mph (110 km/h, 61 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
  • Stall speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)

Avionics

  • none
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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 72. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. The New Kolb Aircraft (2010). "Firefly - Price List". Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  3. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-35. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  4. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  5. The New Kolb Aircraft (2010). "Firefly - General Description". Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  6. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 123. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
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