---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 03/26/04: 7 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:18 AM - Re: FireFly Is Ready To Go (Jack & Louise Hart) 2. 01:23 PM - Kit Planes (Paul Petty) 3. 04:58 PM - Fire Fly (John Hauck) 4. 05:26 PM - Re: Fire Fly (Don Gherardini) 5. 05:48 PM - Re: Fire Fly (John Hauck) 6. 09:54 PM - Re: Fire Fly (Bob Dalton) 7. 10:11 PM - Re: Kit Planes (Denny Rowe) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:18:17 AM PST US From: Jack & Louise Hart Subject: RE: Kolb-List: FireFly Is Ready To Go --> Kolb-List message posted by: Jack & Louise Hart At 09:21 PM 3/25/04 -0600, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "Christopher Armstrong" > >I think that it is reasonable for you to limit power not through rpm but >through a throttle stop that can not be changed by the pilot in flight. >Then you could re-pitch to get decent rpm even though you would be at >reduced power. This would be the ultralight legal flight configuration for >the aircraft. Limiting power with a throttle stop is just as reasonable as >limiting speed by cranking in prop pitch. I think that as long as you can >not change it in flight it would be acceptable to the feds. I don't think >that you're at a dead end for 103-7 legality yet. > > Topher, You are correct. In my case it is kind of a catch 22 problem. If the hp is available, one becomes greedy and I want to use the maximum hp that my FireFly configuration allows. By limiting the engine rpm with increased propeller pitch and assuming Simonini's performance curves are correct, one can be sure that you are getting the 38 hp at 5,200 rpm. The Feds are supposed to go by published data. So if I set the prop to top the engine out at 6,000 rpm and then use a throttle stop to keep engine rpm from going above 5,200, I will be getting much less than 38 hp out of the engine. To get out of this dilemma and since the Feds are supposed to go with the published data, it would be better to go with an under rated or untuned engine. The MZ34 is rated at 27 hp and has a displacement of 313 cc. If one puts a tuned exhaust on it and assuming it will perform as well as a Simonini engine, it should crank out close to 38 hp. By reducing the official engine hp to 27, one can legally decrease FireFly drag with fairings on the landing gear and add a full enclosure. This coupled with about fifty pounds less engine should let the FireFly top out at well over 60 mph on 27 hp. If it sounds like I am trying to sell my self on changing engines, I am. I have purchased an MZ34 and it is sitting on the counter of the family room. I am getting older, and I am having trouble flying in the winter time with my head sticking out in the breese. To stay warm, I wear a neck and head socks under my soft flying helmet and an LL-Bean cold weather outfit. I can stay warm but I can not turn my head but a few degrees, so on EAA Chapter meeting flights I have to wallow about to see if there is other traffic in the area. I hope to make a flip up and down short windshield that will cover my head and to leave the sides open. I hope to fly the Simonini engine through the summer and fall. I have learned a lot from the Simonini engine. At first I was worried whether it was a true 48 hp engine, but when I cut the prop and cranked in the pitch, I found it was much stronger than the Rotax 447. I would never go back to a piston ported engine. The reed valve engine is much more civil and burns much less fuel. The FireFly is the best retirement toy I could have or hope to have. Jack B. Hart FF004 Jackson, MO Jack & Louise Hart jbhart@ldd.net ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:23:43 PM PST US From: "Paul Petty" Subject: Kolb-List: Kit Planes --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Paul Petty" Kolbers, Got my issue of kit planes today and I always scan the "completions" section first. This month there are two Kolb's in there. Don's Firefly and Denny's Mark3. Way to go guys! Paul Petty Building Ms. Dixie Kolbra/912UL/Warp do not archive ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 04:58:25 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Kolb-List: Fire Fly --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" Hi Gang: Amazing what one can discover on the Internet. I was looking at the EAA e-Hot Line a minute ago. Discovered I was the owner of the 2003 Sun and Fun Grand Champion Ultralight. Not really. It is the Kolb Aircraft Factory Firefly. I was lucky enough to get to fly it last year. Somebody at EAA snapped a shot and it turned up in the EAA Calendar as Miss April. http://home.elmore.rr.com/jhauck/Flyins/kolb_800.jpg Can't say anything about the pilot, but it is a very pretty little airplane. If I owned one, I would have to keep it just like it is. I like the 447 performance and the quick, agile way it flies. I will be flying it again at Sun and Fun. I will pay particular attention to its characteristics and see what I would like to change to suit me, if I was going to build and fly one. Take care, john h DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 05:26:11 PM PST US From: "Don Gherardini" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fire Fly --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Don Gherardini" Alright John!!!! You get on any more of them calandars pard...and we gonna have to get you a Bikini!!! Don Gherardini FireFly 098 http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/my_firefly.htm DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 05:48:40 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fire Fly --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" get you a | Bikini!!! | | | Don Gherardini Don G/Gang: You ain't serious are you? Heck, I have a problem now trying to get me and my beer gut in the MK III. Bikini's make me think about floats on the Firefly. Wonder how that would work out. Be fun, I bet. And would be easier to handle at the dock, etc., with the short wing span. Seeing my MKIII getting beat up docking, especially in a windy situation, is one of the reason's I have never persued floats. I can not imagine how difficult it would be trying to get the aircraft to do what I wanted it to do in adverse situations. A 30' X 24" boat that only weights about 1,000 lbs. Take care, john h PS: Congrats on getting your and Denny Rowe's airplanes in Kitplane. It is always nice to see your creation in an international publication. I don't subscribe to Kitplane anymore, so have to rely on the List to keep me current on what's happening. DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 09:54:21 PM PST US From: "Bob Dalton" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fire Fly --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Bob Dalton" John and Gang, The calendar shot makes a great Background for the laptop, thanks! Bob Dalton Manteca, CA (do not archive) ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fire Fly > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" > > | You get on any more of them calandars pard...and we gonna have to > get you a > > Don G/Gang: > > You ain't serious are you? > > Heck, I have a problem now trying to get me and my beer gut in the MK > III. > > Bikini's make me think about floats on the Firefly. Wonder how that > would work out. Be fun, I bet. And would be easier to handle at the > dock, etc., with the short wing span. Seeing my MKIII getting beat up > docking, especially in a windy situation, is one of the reason's I > have never persued floats. I can not imagine how difficult it would > be trying to get the aircraft to do what I wanted it to do in adverse > situations. A 30' X 24" boat that only weights about 1,000 lbs. > > Take care, > > john h > > PS: Congrats on getting your and Denny Rowe's airplanes in Kitplane. > It is always nice to see your creation in an international > publication. I don't subscribe to Kitplane anymore, so have to rely > on the List to keep me current on what's happening. > > DO NOT ARCHIVE > > ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 10:11:05 PM PST US From: "Denny Rowe" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kit Planes --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Denny Rowe" > Kolbers, > Got my issue of kit planes today and I always scan the "completions" section first. This month there are two Kolb's in there. Don's Firefly and Denny's Mark3. Way to go guys! > > Paul Petty > Building Ms. Dixie > Kolbra/912UL/Warp > > > do not archive > Thanks for the Kudos Paul, shouldn't be long before we are checking out Miss Dixie and Jim Bs Mk-3 in all the industry mags, I can't wait. It makes me break out in a cold sweat to know that Don has already stripped his awesome cover job off his fuselage in order to make his mods. That dude has more intestinal fortitude than any ten people I know. I have a few mods in mind already for my bird but not the salt it takes to jump in right now, after spending all that time building I just want to build some time in the logbook. :-I Denny Rowe