---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 07/27/03: 21 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:49 AM - how to land without bending anything (ul15rhb@juno.com) 2. 01:23 PM - [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! (Email List Photo Shares) 3. 01:49 PM - [ Bob Bean ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! (Email List Photo Shares) 4. 03:02 PM - Re: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! (DC8man2@aol.com) 5. 03:26 PM - Re: Firefly Question (jerb) 6. 03:27 PM - Re: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! (ronnie wehba) 7. 03:38 PM - Re: how to land without bending anything (jerb) 8. 03:39 PM - Re: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! (DC8man2@aol.com) 9. 03:49 PM - Question on cuyuna (ronnie wehba) 10. 04:18 PM - Re: Question on cuyuna (Richard Pike) 11. 04:35 PM - Re: Question on cuyuna (ronnie wehba) 12. 04:37 PM - Re: Question on cuyuna (ronnie wehba) 13. 04:39 PM - Re: Firestar II banks to the right (Bill Vincent) 14. 06:05 PM - Re: Kolb FS gap seals.... (Beauford Tuton) 15. 07:22 PM - Re: Firestar II banks to the right (HShack@aol.com) 16. 08:17 PM - it quit on takeoff (ul15rhb@juno.com) 17. 08:32 PM - Re: Kolb FS gap seals.... (DAquaNut@aol.com) 18. 08:32 PM - Re: 87 Octane No Lead & 100 LL (ZepRep251@aol.com) 19. 08:39 PM - Re: how to land a FireFly without bending anything (Jack & Louise Hart) 20. 09:09 PM - Re: Re: Firestar II banks to the right (Christopher J Armstrong) 21. 09:15 PM - Re: Question on cuyuna (Don Gherardini) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:49:23 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: how to land without bending anything From: ul15rhb@juno.com --> Kolb-List message posted by: ul15rhb@juno.com On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 00:59:17 EDT DAquaNut@aol.com writes: > Do you think the pranging problem is aggrivated by the tendancy > of general aviation pilots being used to flaring at a distance above > the runway and not being aware of how quick the airspeed falls of due to the > greater drag in a kolb? > > Ed (In Houston) Ed in Houston, Yes, this is a major part of the problem. All ultralights have more drag and less weight than GA aircraft, so pilots have that tendency to pull back on the stick at 10' before trouchdown. I always tell guys to use no more than 1" of flare on the stick. Once the Firestar gets into ground effect, it changes angle of attack and actually flares itself without ANY stick input. An easy way to land a Firestar would be to remember the '40 rule'. Come in at 40mph, 4000rpm, and do nothing to the stick. Keep the power on until it's rolling on the ground. It will land itself without pranging the gear. It may bounce a little but what the heck. This will work in calm conditions only. Once you become skilled, practice greasing it in with a little flare at the right moment. Flare too early, prang the the gear. Flare to late, it will balloon and could get dangerous as airspeed is dropping off. Timing and the amount of flare is everything. No flare is better than flaring at the wrong moment. Ralph Burlingame Original Firestar 16 years flying it The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:23:52 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! From: Email List Photo Shares --> Kolb-List message posted by: Email List Photo Shares A new Email List Photo Share is available: Poster: Roger Hankins Subject: Kolbs over Crater Lake http://www.matronics.com/photoshare/RPHanks@aol.com.07.27.03/index.html o Main Photo Share Index http://www.matronics.com/photoshare o Submitting a Photo Share If you wish to submit a Photo Share of your own, please include the following information along with your email message and files: 1) Email List or Lists that they are related to: 2) Your Full Name: 3) Your Email Address: 4) One line Subject description: 5) Multi-line, multi-paragraph description of topic: 6) One-line Description of each photo or file: Email the information above and your files and photos to: pictures@matronics.com ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 01:49:25 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: [ Bob Bean ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! From: Email List Photo Shares --> Kolb-List message posted by: Email List Photo Shares A new Email List Photo Share is available: Poster: Bob Bean Subject: MkIII hitch http://www.matronics.com/photoshare/slyck@frontiernet.net.07.27.2003/index.html o Main Photo Share Index http://www.matronics.com/photoshare o Submitting a Photo Share If you wish to submit a Photo Share of your own, please include the following information along with your email message and files: 1) Email List or Lists that they are related to: 2) Your Full Name: 3) Your Email Address: 4) One line Subject description: 5) Multi-line, multi-paragraph description of topic: 6) One-line Description of each photo or file: Email the information above and your files and photos to: pictures@matronics.com ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 03:02:23 PM PST US From: DC8man2@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! --> Kolb-List message posted by: DC8man2@aol.com I have a Kolb MK lll that I am thinking of selling and was wondering what the Kolb-list has to say about it. What is the best way to go about it and what kind of price Might one expect to get? Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated Thanks Bill ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 03:26:01 PM PST US From: jerb Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firefly Question --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb No, I don't contribute it to GA pilots. I and the Kit Fox pilot came from GA, the other two, one of which was a UL instructor had similar experiences. You making more of this than it really is. There are some planes you can get sloppy and slide by. This may be the reason the instructor had the problem as he trains in a Quicksilver or something like it and was trying to fly it the same way. If you go about it in the way I explained it, you should not have any problems. The GA pilot and the student afterwards approached it the way I suggested and haven't had any problems since. If you look through the archives there is a history of new Kolb pilots pranging the gear. While I can't fully describe what it is that is different with Kolbs but they land little different. It seems the big problem is allowing speed to bleed off quickly as you start rounding out. In most cases the major damage is to their pride and maybe a gear leg or two. Unless pranged really bad, quite often the legs can be straightened and reused. There not a high cost part to replace. Ed, you'll do just find. When you get near that day review what I suggested in the prior messages and follow it. It takes you from standing still to slow taxi on to fast taxing to running with the tail up. Review it and pay special attention to the part about coming back on the power once it rolling other wise you will fly! And always, if your going to do any taxiing whether you plan to fly or not, have the seat belt fastened and adequate fuel on board just in case if should come off the ground. If it should come off don't panic, and plop it back down. I've seen to many plane busted that way. Just fly the airplane. Note your temps, if everything is green fly around the pattern a couple times this will give you time to settle down and catch up with the plane. Come on around making a longer approach to give time to line up with little power on. Remember the flaps, two notches is all you should need until you get more time in the airplane. Just ease it down and that's all that's all theres to it. jerb At 12:59 AM 7/27/03 -0400, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: DAquaNut@aol.com > >In a message dated 7/26/03 2:39:08 PM Central Standard Time, >ulflyer@verizon.net writes: > ><< The Kolbs are excellent flyers, their nothing wrong with them but don't >get > to slow on initial first few flights. Once you start rounding out they > slow down. By carrying a little power, it buys you time to think and make > a gentle landing. After you get a few landings under your belt, you know > how the plane reacts and can anticipate things and back off the need to > carry power. After shooting two sets of 10 landing each about hour a part, > I could spot land the FireFly. It's a good flyer. > jerb > >> > > Jerb, > > Do you think the pranging problem is aggrivated by the tendancy of >general aviation pilots being used to flaring at a distance above the >runway and >not being aware of how quick the airspeed falls of due to the greater >drag in a >kolb? > > Ed (In Houston) > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 03:27:31 PM PST US From: "ronnie wehba" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! BAYES_20, ORIGINAL_MESSAGE, QUOTED_EMAIL_TEXT, REFERENCES) --> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" lets see what it looks like! ----- Original Message ----- From: Subject: Re: Kolb-List: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! > --> Kolb-List message posted by: DC8man2@aol.com > > I have a Kolb MK lll that I am thinking of selling and was wondering what the > Kolb-list has to say about it. What is the best way to go about it and what > kind of price Might one expect to get? > Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated > Thanks > Bill > > ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 03:38:37 PM PST US From: jerb Subject: Re: Kolb-List: how to land without bending anything --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb Ralph, & All I know you have far more experience flying Kolbs than I ever will but a FireFly will not flare itself in ground effect and may be misleading advise to inexperienced pilots. You have to fly it thru the landing. Carrying a little power until just before touch down in the beginning is better until they get some landings under their belt. Myself I believe the FireFly is a little more twitchy than the FireSter due to its lighter weight and the shorter wing span quits flying sooner. jerb At 08:40 AM 7/27/03 -0500, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: ul15rhb@juno.com > > >On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 00:59:17 EDT DAquaNut@aol.com writes: > > Do you think the pranging problem is aggrivated by the tendancy > > of general aviation pilots being used to flaring at a distance above > > the runway and not being aware of how quick the airspeed falls of due >to the > > greater drag in a kolb? > > > > Ed (In Houston) > >Ed in Houston, > >Yes, this is a major part of the problem. All ultralights have more drag >and less weight than GA aircraft, so pilots have that tendency to pull >back on the stick at 10' before trouchdown. I always tell guys to use no >more than 1" of flare on the stick. Once the Firestar gets into ground >effect, it changes angle of attack and actually flares itself without ANY >stick input. > >An easy way to land a Firestar would be to remember the '40 rule'. Come >in at 40mph, 4000rpm, and do nothing to the stick. Keep the power on >until it's rolling on the ground. It will land itself without pranging >the gear. It may bounce a little but what the heck. > >This will work in calm conditions only. Once you become skilled, practice >greasing it in with a little flare at the right moment. Flare too early, >prang the the gear. Flare to late, it will balloon and could get >dangerous as airspeed is dropping off. > >Timing and the amount of flare is everything. No flare is better than >flaring at the wrong moment. > >Ralph Burlingame >Original Firestar 16 years flying it > >The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! >Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! > > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:39:47 PM PST US From: DC8man2@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: [ Roger Hankins ] : New Email List Photo Share Available! --> Kolb-List message posted by: DC8man2@aol.com [Unable to display image] ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 03:49:52 PM PST US From: "ronnie wehba" Subject: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna HTML_20_30, HTML_FONT_BIG, HTML_FONT_COLOR_RED, HTML_FONT_FACE_ODD) --> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" have a cuyuna II-02 on my US, where on long final lower rpm's I tried to go around,did not need to just was going to ,, the engine bogged down upon advancing the throttle, did this a couple times real slow and it caught. my other toy is a minimax with a A0-84 4-stroke 4-cyl. don't have any problems with it. Ideas, what is this 2-stroke illiterate doing wrong? ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 04:18:46 PM PST US From: Richard Pike Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna --> Kolb-List message posted by: Richard Pike It is probably either a bit too lean or a bit too rich at idle, I would guess a bit too lean, as that tends to inhibit throttle response when you advance the throttle. Did you try adding power a bit more slowly to give it time to spool up? Sometimes that will work if the mixture is off. If you can richen or lean the idle mixture screw a bit you might try playing with it and see what it does. My guess is it is lean. Also, when you are coming down final and the engine is at idle, but you are gliding, the engine is turning slightly faster than it would be if you were sitting still, that will lean things out a little bit and cause it to hesitate when you add power because you have filled the crankcase with a lean mixture and as soon as you open the throttle everything is lean for a moment until the carb overcomes what is in the crankcase and returns it to proper mixture. But if the carb is a hair lean also, then it all becomes more iffy. Richard Pike MKIII N420P (420ldPoops) At 05:35 PM 7/27/03 -0500, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" > >have a cuyuna II-02 on my US, where on long final lower rpm's I tried to >go around,did not need to just was going to ,, the engine bogged down upon >advancing the throttle, did this a couple times real slow and it caught. >my other toy is a minimax with a A0-84 4-stroke 4-cyl. don't have any >problems with it. Ideas, what is this 2-stroke illiterate doing wrong? > > ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 04:35:16 PM PST US From: "ronnie wehba" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna BAYES_20, ORIGINAL_MESSAGE, QUOTED_EMAIL_TEXT, REFERENCES) --> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" thanks that gives me a point to start at, always have to add very slow, temps are A-OK, rpm is good, I'll richen it a small bit and try that.screw in or out , 2-strokes ain''t my thing,and no-one around here knows--------! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Pike" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna > --> Kolb-List message posted by: Richard Pike > > It is probably either a bit too lean or a bit too rich at idle, I would > guess a bit too lean, as that tends to inhibit throttle response when you > advance the throttle. > Did you try adding power a bit more slowly to give it time to spool up? > Sometimes that will work if the mixture is off. If you can richen or lean > the idle mixture screw a bit you might try playing with it and see what it > does. My guess is it is lean. > > Also, when you are coming down final and the engine is at idle, but you are > gliding, the engine is turning slightly faster than it would be if you were > sitting still, that will lean things out a little bit and cause it to > hesitate when you add power because you have filled the crankcase with a > lean mixture and as soon as you open the throttle everything is lean for a > moment until the carb overcomes what is in the crankcase and returns it to > proper mixture. But if the carb is a hair lean also, then it all becomes > more iffy. > > Richard Pike > MKIII N420P (420ldPoops) > > > At 05:35 PM 7/27/03 -0500, you wrote: > > >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" > > > >have a cuyuna II-02 on my US, where on long final lower rpm's I tried to > >go around,did not need to just was going to ,, the engine bogged down upon > >advancing the throttle, did this a couple times real slow and it caught. > >my other toy is a minimax with a A0-84 4-stroke 4-cyl. don't have any > >problems with it. Ideas, what is this 2-stroke illiterate doing wrong? > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 04:37:49 PM PST US From: "ronnie wehba" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna BAYES_30, ORIGINAL_MESSAGE, QUOTED_EMAIL_TEXT, REFERENCES) --> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" OH!!, one more thing I always carry some power on decent,,done learned that. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Pike" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna > --> Kolb-List message posted by: Richard Pike > > It is probably either a bit too lean or a bit too rich at idle, I would > guess a bit too lean, as that tends to inhibit throttle response when you > advance the throttle. > Did you try adding power a bit more slowly to give it time to spool up? > Sometimes that will work if the mixture is off. If you can richen or lean > the idle mixture screw a bit you might try playing with it and see what it > does. My guess is it is lean. > > Also, when you are coming down final and the engine is at idle, but you are > gliding, the engine is turning slightly faster than it would be if you were > sitting still, that will lean things out a little bit and cause it to > hesitate when you add power because you have filled the crankcase with a > lean mixture and as soon as you open the throttle everything is lean for a > moment until the carb overcomes what is in the crankcase and returns it to > proper mixture. But if the carb is a hair lean also, then it all becomes > more iffy. > > Richard Pike > MKIII N420P (420ldPoops) > > > At 05:35 PM 7/27/03 -0500, you wrote: > > >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "ronnie wehba" > > > >have a cuyuna II-02 on my US, where on long final lower rpm's I tried to > >go around,did not need to just was going to ,, the engine bogged down upon > >advancing the throttle, did this a couple times real slow and it caught. > >my other toy is a minimax with a A0-84 4-stroke 4-cyl. don't have any > >problems with it. Ideas, what is this 2-stroke illiterate doing wrong? > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 04:39:00 PM PST US From: Bill Vincent Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firestar II banks to the right --> Kolb-List message posted by: Bill Vincent Hi Shack and Kolb drivers After I bought my second hand Fire Star II, I also noticed it banked to the right. On close inspection I was surprised to find the left aileron was full of rain water, with a hot small nail, I burnt a couple of weep holes underneath the back of the aileron and the problem went away. Bill Vincent FireStar II Quinnesec, Upper Peninsula of Michigan HShack@aol.com wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: HShack@aol.com > > When my friend, Chuck lets his stick go, his FS II banks pretty hard to the > right. Even starting level with full left rudder she still banks to the right. > After careful inspection, we can't see any reason for this. > > I believe the fix is to put a trim tab on the ailerons, but where? Should it > be mounted on the bottom of the right aileron & bent down? > > Shack > FS II > SC > ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 06:05:08 PM PST US From: "Beauford Tuton" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb FS gap seals.... --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Beauford Tuton" Kolbers and Kolbettes: Have been following the gap seal thread with interest... The velcro attached rip-stop nylon rag which came with the FireFly kit masquerading as a gap seal lasted about 60 hours before abruptly shredding in the breeze one day, and distributing untold quantities of exceedingly fine nylon fuzz in just about every nook and cranny of the Fly, the Rotax, and various folds and crevices of 'ol Beaufords anatomy which I am far too modest and discreet to discuss in this forum... Suffice it to say that a good nose-blowing did NOT solve the nylon personal hygiene problem.... the fuzz even worked into the fuel system... about the only good thing I can say is that the prop got a good polishing out of the event... Anyway, fer whatever it is worth, I humbly submit to y'all fer consideration the notion that any inanimate part which, if'n it departs the airplane, is capable of causing death, disfigurement or major property damage, sure ought to be attached to a flying machine with something other than just VELCRO, fer pete's sake... After my disgusting nylon episode, ended up building a new gap seal out of .025 aluminum... went ahead and put one inch industrial velcro all the way along the outboard edges, but also rivited on four aluminum brackets... one to each of the four corners of the TRAILING edges of the seal ... I hook two criss-crossed H.D. bungee cords back back around the main spar attach structure to hold it in place with the four trailing edge brackets...it really screws the thing down, yet is pretty easy to work with each time I unfold the airplane to fly it... so far, so good... and it is light, cheap and looks OK... almost like a real airplane part.... (after painting to match the leading edge trim)... Worth what you paid fer it... good luck... (never turn yer back on velcro...) Beauford, The Aluminum Butcher of Brandon, FL FF #076 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Ballenger" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb FS gap seals.... > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Jim Ballenger" > > Jim > I use ty wraps, one on each side of the wing gap seal to hold mine on. I > Jim Ballenger > > To: > Subject: Kolb-List: Kolb FS gap seals.... > > > > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Jim Baker" > > > > > From the FAA accident site... > > > > On August 21, 1999, about 1940 Eastern Daylight Time, a > > homebuilt Kolb Mark III, N6268A, was substantially damaged after > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 07:22:37 PM PST US From: HShack@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firestar II banks to the right --> Kolb-List message posted by: HShack@aol.com In a message dated 7/27/03 7:39:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, emailbill@chartermi.net writes: > Hi Shack and Kolb drivers > > After I bought my second hand Fire Star II, I also noticed it banked to the > right. > > On close inspection I was surprised to find the left aileron was full of > rain > water, with a hot small nail, I burnt a couple of weep holes underneath the > back of > the aileron and the problem went away. > > That's the first thing we checked. Thanks. Shack FS II SC ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 08:17:45 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: it quit on takeoff From: ul15rhb@juno.com --> Kolb-List message posted by: ul15rhb@juno.com Guys, I had a good flight in the 'ol Firestar today. I flew to a local airport where a crash happened a few days ago. It turns out that a 25-year flight instructor in a Talorcraft had the engine sputter twice on takeoff. He had a chance to abort, but continued on. The engine finally quit at the end of the 3000' runway and only 200' up. There was plenty of field in front of him to come down in safely, but he ends up turning back. The plane stalled and spun in. He and a passenger were taken away in critical condition. The instructor died a few days later and the passenger is hanging on. I have no idea why a very experienced flight instructor would do such a thing like that. Goes to show that people do weird things under pressure and all experience/training seems to fly out the window. Ralph Original Firestar do not archive On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 17:38:36 -0700 jerb writes: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb > > Ralph, & All > I know you have far more experience flying Kolbs than I ever will > but a > FireFly will not flare itself in ground effect and may be misleading > advise > to inexperienced pilots. You have to fly it thru the landing. > Carrying a > little power until just before touch down in the beginning is better > until > they get some landings under their belt. Myself I believe the > FireFly is a > little more twitchy than the FireSter due to its lighter weight and > the > shorter wing span quits flying sooner. > jerb The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 08:32:40 PM PST US From: DAquaNut@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb FS gap seals.... --> Kolb-List message posted by: DAquaNut@aol.com In a message dated 7/27/03 7:05:54 PM Central Standard Time, beauford@tampabay.rr.com writes: << After my disgusting nylon episode, ended up building a new gap seal out of .025 aluminum... went ahead and put one inch industrial velcro all the way along the outboard edges, but also rivited on four aluminum brackets... one to each of the four corners of the TRAILING edges of the seal ... I hook two criss-crossed H.D. bungee cords back back around the main spar attach structure to hold it in place with the four trailing edge brackets...it really screws the thing down, yet is pretty easy to work with each time I unfold the airplane to fly it... so far, so good... and it is light, cheap and looks OK... almost like a real airplane part.... (after painting to match the leading edge trim)... Worth what you paid fer it... good luck... (never turn yer back on velcro...) Beauford, The Aluminum Butcher of Brandon, FL FF #076 ----- Original Message ----- >> Bill, I was going to make an alum wing gap seal, untill I got to looking at the instructions from brs. They say I have to use fabric ,due to the fact , that the rocket could have trouble going through lexan or alum. I have the soft pack. Guess I will have to use the fabric unless someone has another method that BRS feels is Kosher. In a few days, I will get a chance to look at the factory firefly, the Lord willin . Ed (In Houston) Do Not Archive ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 08:32:49 PM PST US From: ZepRep251@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: 87 Octane No Lead & 100 LL --> Kolb-List message posted by: ZepRep251@aol.com Not much cyl hd temp difference but exhaust gas temps rose 60 degrees on 87 ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 08:39:31 PM PST US From: Jack & Louise Hart Subject: Re: Kolb-List: how to land a FireFly without bending anything --> Kolb-List message posted by: Jack & Louise Hart On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 00:59:17 EDT DAquaNut@aol.com writes: > Do you think the pranging problem is aggrivated by the tendancy > of general aviation pilots being used to flaring at a distance above > the runway and not being aware of how quick the airspeed falls of due to the > greater drag in a kolb? > > Ed (In Houston) Ed, Some of the problem may be due to inexperience in flying very light low inertia aircraft. But I believe most of the problem has to do with, as jerb states, not keeping enough speed on final approach and while flairing. After about 350 landings, I never make an approach at less than 55 mph. After the field is made the throttle is closed and the nose pushed down to keep the airspeed at 55+ mph. The reason for this is to make a high energy fast approach so that the FireFly is very responsive to the controls. When one flairs the FireFly at this speed you have about three seconds to get it on down and plant the tail wheel. Keep holding it off and it will settle in very nicely. The main gear will touch at about 25 - 27 mph. This makes for a low energy landing and the potential for bending the main gear is greatly reduced. I have tried the little throttle and touch the main gear first many times. It works best on grass. I have a difficult time with it on hard surfaces were I bounce time and time again. The problem with the main gear first and at higher a speed is that on rough fields the gear is going to take more punishment as the landing roll will be increased. If you drop the tail wheel on first and let the mains settle in, the forward speed, roll out and punishment are minimized. Also, this method is helpful in coping with tall grass and/or water in grass that would case the FireFly to nose over during a wheel landing. You may want to check out: http://www.thirdshift.com/jack/firefly/howtofly.html It explains how I fly my FireFly. One side note: the FireFly has vortex generators and nine inch chord ailerons, so it will fly a little slower and is easier to control roll than most FireFlys. Also, I am using the four inch plastic wheels. This page does not address flaperon usage, but anyone who is new to a FireFly should not be using them, and I have not found any need for them. Jack B. Hart FF004 Jackson, MO Jack & Louise Hart jbhart@ldd.net ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 09:09:22 PM PST US From: "Christopher J Armstrong" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Re: Firestar II banks to the right --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Christopher J Armstrong" If you add a trim tab on one aileron, one aileron only, it will move the opposite one in the other direction the same amount, and at the same time moving your stick. Stand by one Aileron, move it up or down, watch the other, it will move the same in the opposite direction, you moving it is the same as moving it in flight with a trim tab. Now imaging flying, as they are both attached and move the same in opposite directions, they will balance out in flight, but the stick will be off center. The only way to change the rigging is to lengthen one o the other with the pushrod. But here, you affect the rigging. I know it's hard to understand, but I had a friend explain it to me and show me on his plane. if I can help, give me a call. Tim, If you want to roll the plane you push on the stick and move the ailerons. If you use a trim tab to move the ailerons it changes the roll trim. It is applying a force to the ailerons just exactly like the force that you apply with the stick. Now if you try to change the length of one or both of the aileron push rods it will just move the stick to one side and the ailerons will move both the same direction, causing a pitch trim change but not a roll trim change. I think you have these two things confused. Just to be absolutely clear, aileron trim tabs work just great and are a standard part of probably more then 90% of all aircraft ever built. I think you should pull back your comments in this area, give it some thought and if you still don't get it, go up to your plane and push on an aileron like a trim tab would. Then go push on the stick like you would if you were going to fly and roll, the resulting motion of the ailerons, (and the plane) is indistinguishable. Got it? Topher ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 09:15:22 PM PST US From: "Don Gherardini" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Question on cuyuna --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Don Gherardini" Ronnie...remember..on that Mikuni...the screw is an AIR screw...not a fuel screw...and turning it in means less air...RICHER fuel!!! http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/my_firefly.htm Don Gherardini- FireFly 098!