---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 12/20/07: 21 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:21 AM - Re: Re: winter flying pictures (ElleryWeld@aol.com) 2. 05:34 AM - Re: Re: winter flying pictures (gary aman) 3. 06:15 AM - Re: winter flying pictures (Ralph B) 4. 07:47 AM - Re: winter flying pictures (jb92563) 5. 09:11 AM - Re: Poly Fiber 101 (Tom O'Hara) 6. 09:39 AM - Re: Flight characteristics of the Kolb FSII & The Challenger (JetPilot) 7. 11:51 AM - Re: Re: Flight characteristics of the Kolb FSII & The Challenger (J.D. Stewart) 8. 12:15 PM - M3X tailwheel weight (Ron) 9. 12:40 PM - How do you like your FireFly? (jb92563) 10. 01:03 PM - Re: How do you like your FireFly? (Ralph B) 11. 01:17 PM - MkIII tail wheel weight (Mike Welch) 12. 03:14 PM - Re: How do you like your FireFly? (jb92563) 13. 03:46 PM - Re: Re: winter flying pictures (ElleryWeld@aol.com) 14. 04:11 PM - Re: M3X tailwheel weight (Richard Girard) 15. 04:37 PM - Re: Re: How do you like your FireFly? (Ben Ransom) 16. 05:20 PM - Re: Re: How do you like your FireFly? (John Hauck) 17. 05:34 PM - tail wheel weight and CG () 18. 05:35 PM - Re: MkIII tail wheel weight (Ron) 19. 05:39 PM - Re: M3X tailwheel weight (Ron) 20. 07:07 PM - Re: tail wheel weight and CG (Dan G.) 21. 10:12 PM - Re: How do you like your FireFly? (Robert Laird) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:21:45 AM PST US From: ElleryWeld@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: winter flying pictures In a message dated 12/19/2007 9:36:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, ul15rhb@juno.com writes: http://forums.matronics.com//files/firestar_ready_for_flight__578.jpg You hang around long enough for the lake to thaw out and your ready to go water skiing with that setup Ellery building Mk3Xtra & 6 other planes do not archive **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:34:13 AM PST US From: gary aman Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: winter flying pictures Ralph, a nice pair of battery powered electric socks would make a nice Christmas gift! Drop a hint or two! WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com wrote: In a message dated 12/19/2007 9:36:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ul15rhb@juno.com writes: Here is a picture of the plane before takeoff on Saturday. Hi Ralph, Very nice pictures. What is the retangular area cleared off on the ice? Maybe for ice skating? Also, I'd like to see a close-up picture of how you treated the tail wheel for use on ice/snow. Looks like some sort of shield in front of the tail wheel. Your FireStar looks very nice and light. Bill Varnes Original Kolb FireStar Audubon NJ Do Not Archive --------------------------------- See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:15:11 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: winter flying pictures From: "Ralph B" > WhiskeyVictor36(at)aol.co"]In a message dated 12/19/2007 9:36:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time > > Hi Ralph, > > Very nice pictures. What is the retangular area cleared off on the ice? Maybe for ice skating? > > Also, I'd like to see a close-up picture of how you treated the tail wheel for use on ice/snow. Looks like some sort of shield in front of the tail wheel. Your FireStar looks very nice and light. > Bill Varnes > Original Kolb FireStar > Audubon NJ > Do Not Archive > Bill, that rectangular area is where the lake shore property owners cleared an area for skating. I will get a close up picture of the wooden block that is strapped to the tailwheel rod with hose clamps. It has two purposes; keeps ice from hitting the tailwheel, and it offsets the weight and balance to account for the additional clothing I wear during the winter. In 1990, the tailwheel weld broke due to the stress of ice and snow hitting it. This is what I came up with for a solution. There is no need for a tailwheel ski as it glides over the snow because it's so light. It was funny on that flight as the tailwheel assembly came off on takeoff without my knowledge. I returned and some guy comes up to me and says this thing fell off my plane (holding the tailwheel). I thought it was taxiing a little higher in front that day. I was having so much fun that I continued to fly with it gliding on the tailwheel rod. -------- Ralph B Original Firestar N91493 E-AB 21 years flying it Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153246#153246 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:47:23 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: winter flying pictures From: "jb92563" Those are great pics Ralph. I can't believe some one did not recognize a skating rink when you see one... [Laughing] I think the 2nd picture one might even be of regulation dimensions. Its a little embarrassing I'd say to have a Southern Californian point that out to a North Eastern type.....but in all fairness I have lived in Ontario Canada for my first 39 years, but now I'm done with that kind of cold and migrated to the South Western Pacific coast permanently. Just for the record in case no body recognizes them, they don't put portapotties all over the Minnesota lakes during the winter to help out bean eating snow mobilers........those are ice fishing huts....although in my part of the country some call them 1 bedroom mini homes.....good thing lakes don't freeze solid here. Ellery, you have 6 aircraft projects AND a MKIII. You must have a big hanger. Which one will get done first? -------- Ray Riverside County, CA Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153270#153270 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:11:46 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Poly Fiber 101 From: "Tom O'Hara" Just a comment from a "flyer not a builder" who knows nothing about Polyfiber or shrinking temperatures. That said I am familiar with"heating fabric" as I flew hot air for 26 years before going to a MkIII. Balloons are constructed with either nylon or dacron depending upon manufacturer. Nylon yellow line is 250 with red line at 275. Dacron is 25 degrees higher. There are "tell tales" at the top which you check on pre-flighting. If the "red line tell tail" shows positive you MUST not fly and must take the aircraft to FAA inspection station and have tensile and porosity tests done prior to putting aircraft into service. I have got to think that over temping Polycoat would also be detrimental to it's final strength. Occasionally one can get some "special smoke" from the fabric when you hit it with direct burner flame when inflating. Read "special" as EXPENSIVE!! LOL Note: One can fly 10 minutes in the hour in the yellow before having to take to the repair station. Have a good holiday and thanks for all the knowledge that is passed through this board. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153297#153297 ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 09:39:29 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Flight characteristics of the Kolb FSII & The Challenger From: "JetPilot" John Hauck wrote: > > Guess that is why a Challenger never appealed to me. And.........if I wanted to know more about Challengers, I think I would go over to the Challenger List to find out. > > Don't go an do something rash ! Besides, the you would just scare yourself learning about Challengers... Just reading about Challengers makes me want to give up flying take up something safe like motorcycle racing. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153304#153304 ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 11:51:07 AM PST US From: "J.D. Stewart" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Re: Flight characteristics of the Kolb FSII & The Challenger I've listened politely for a month now, holding my tongue. What a load of crap. There are over 3500 Challengers out there. Probably the most successful design behind the Quicksilver (but hasn't gone out of business 4~5 times). If you want something with a bigger tail, more robust landing gear, and easier entrance/exit then the new LSS Challenger takes care of all those issues. But, that's not what you're here for. Like John says, if you want to know more the Challenger list is the place to go. We certainly don't spend any time bashing Kolbs on that list, regardless of their shortcomings. I'll leave open a standing offer to take any Kolb list member for a ride in a Challenger. We can even shut the engine off and dead-stick it to a nice, soft landing. Kolb admirer and list member since '98, J.D. Stewart UltraFun AirSports, LLC http://www.ultrafunairsports.com Challenger e-mail list http://challenger.inebraska.com Titan e-mail list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Titanaircraft/ Do not archive > John Hauck wrote: > > > > Guess that is why a Challenger never appealed to me. > And.........if I wanted to know more about Challengers, I > think I would go over to the Challenger List to find out. > > > > > > Don't go an do something rash ! Besides, the you would just > scare yourself learning about Challengers... Just reading > about Challengers makes me want to give up flying take up > something safe like motorcycle racing. > > Mike > > -------- > "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as > fast as you could have !!! > > Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 12:15:56 PM PST US From: Ron Subject: Kolb-List: M3X tailwheel weight Folks I am mounting the engine, for placement purposes. Can anyone tell me how much weight max weight there supposed to be on the tail for it to remain within CG. I am trying to locate my heavy installation as far back as possible but still there are CG limits to contend with. Any info will be helpful. Ron Arizona ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 12:40:05 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: How do you like your FireFly? From: "jb92563" I have been wondering how people have been liking their FireFly Kolbs. I am particularly interested in the Part 103 ones that are really legal. I understand that if you have the Rotax 447 equiped version you should be able to keep under the required weight, but how does it perform with that engine? -------- Ray Riverside County, CA Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153350#153350 ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 01:03:42 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: How do you like your FireFly? From: "Ralph B" jb92563 wrote: > I have been wondering how people have been liking their FireFly Kolbs. > > I am particularly interested in the Part 103 ones that are really legal. > > I understand that if you have the Rotax 447 equiped version you should be able to keep under the required weight, but how does it perform with that engine? My Original Firestar is very much like a Firefly except for the weight (319 lbs.) It came with a Rotax 377 engine and performed well. The 447 engine that I have now gives it a little more punch and I can cruise at a lower RPM to make it last longer. -------- Ralph B Original Firestar N91493 E-AB 21 years flying it Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153357#153357 ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 01:17:35 PM PST US From: Mike Welch Subject: Kolb-List: MkIII tail wheel weight Ron, Your request for a "maximum tailwheel weight" seems to be missing the point, I would think. If memory serves me (and it still does, mostly), you are using the GEO 4 cyl. engine. Let's say, for the sake of argument, it weighs 220 lbs. so that (mounted in the optimum position), the tailwheel would reflect a specific "weight" for only that engine. Now, let's say we take off that 220 lbs engine for something that weighs ....let's say 180 lbs. (like my GEO 3 cyl.), then the tailwheel will reflect a completely different weight. It would seems to me you would want to take the "weight and balance information" and establish EXACTLY where you want the center of gravity to be, and then mount the engine that produces that result. You could make up a quicky cheapo mount that just holds the engine firmly in place long enough to make calculations. Move it a few times, and when you're happy....voila'!!! Once you've aquired the precise spot that establishes the optimal weight and balance point, THEN build your "high-speed super dooper motor mount.......knowing it sets where the engine belongs...not where it matches the weight on the tailwheel of someone else's rig. In other words....tailwheel weight is engine specific. Just my thoughts. I could be wrong. I have been before. Mike Welch.....taking a Poly Fiber break at the moment. (with no photos) (Ron know's what I mean) _________________________________________________________________ Don't get caught with egg on your face. Play Chicktionary! http://club.live.com/chicktionary.aspx?icid=chick_wlhmtextlink1_dec ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 03:14:14 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: How do you like your FireFly? From: "jb92563" A FireFly driver (UL's are not aircraft so we drive them not fly....) [Laughing] said that with the 447 engine it seemed overpowered and he installed a Victor 1+ instead and its much better behaved. I guess 40HP accounts for the 1,000 fpm climb rate and is more than most people need. I figure it comes in handy on short fields with tree lines or other obstacles, making it a nice UL-STOL. I have flown the Lazair(See my ID pic) and with a 400 fpm climb in a High Desert environment (Higher density altitude) the greater power available would be nice....not that you have to use it all. I will find out with My UltraStar soon enough as I am nearly ready to go flying it. Still need to engineer the brake solution. I have some 4.5" drum brakes to install somehow. Also need to install the fuel sender in the fiberglass tank. -------- Ray Riverside County, CA Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153389#153389 ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 03:46:37 PM PST US From: ElleryWeld@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: winter flying pictures Ralph The X-Air H model will be finished first followed by the sky ranger then Kit fox 2 ,Rands S-6,Thorp,and the guy Im building the Highlander doesnt want me to get it all done in one year so that will be in progress for a few years I guess I think MY Kolb Mk3 will be close to the last on the list :o( because I cant make money working on my own Ellery building one flying thing after another in Maine do not archive **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 04:11:33 PM PST US From: "Richard Girard" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: M3X tailwheel weight Ron, I had 75 lb. on the tailwheel when I weighed it before I started the rebuild and that was enough that I was aft of the CG limits with full tanks flying solo. Not much, my extended range tank mounted in the passenger's seat brought it back into limits, but only by a whisker. Rick On 12/20/07, Ron wrote: > > Folks I am mounting the engine, for placement purposes. Can anyone tell me > how much weight max weight there supposed to be on the tail for it to remain > within CG. I am trying to locate my heavy installation as far back as > possible but still there are CG limits to contend with. Any info will be > helpful. > > Ron > Arizona > > ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 04:37:05 PM PST US From: Ben Ransom Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: How do you like your FireFly? Interesting ...I just reweighed my Firestar KXP last wknd and it is 320lbs empty. That is with 447, warp prop, 8" tires, Azusa drum brakes, no streamline struts, (and 7 rib wings). -Ben Ralph B wrote: > > > jb92563 wrote: > >> I have been wondering how people have been liking their FireFly Kolbs. >> >> I am particularly interested in the Part 103 ones that are really legal. >> >> I understand that if you have the Rotax 447 equiped version you should be able to keep under the required weight, but how does it perform with that engine? >> > > > My Original Firestar is very much like a Firefly except for the weight (319 lbs.) It came with a Rotax 377 engine and performed well. The 447 engine that I have now gives it a little more punch and I can cruise at a lower RPM to make it last longer. > > -------- > Ralph B > Original Firestar > N91493 E-AB > 21 years flying it > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153357#153357 > > > ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 05:20:03 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: How do you like your FireFly? > A FireFly driver said that with the 447 engine it seemed overpowered and he installed a Victor 1+ instead and its much better behaved. > Ray Ray: Based on that statement, a rubber band might be too much for him. Much better behaved with a Victor??? Horse manure! john h - Who finds the 447 powered FF a delight to fly, a scaled down Sling Shot, a perfect combination of aircraft and engine. mkIII ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 05:34:24 PM PST US From: Subject: Kolb-List: tail wheel weight and CG I do not know how much my tail weight is, but I am currently flying with a 28 percent CG. It seems to fly very good. When I first tested it a few years ago, it was at 33 percent. It was awful. I was wondering if you know how most Kolbers set up their CG. Maybe the ideal CG is 30 percent. Suggestions are welcomed. Vic in Sacramento ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 05:35:05 PM PST US From: Ron Subject: Re: Kolb-List: MkIII tail wheel weight Hi Mike In general I think you are right, I was trying to get a ball park figure, there is of course a ratio that I can use even if the motor weight is different. For example if the rear wheel weight is 25% of what the main wheels on your Kolb (standard configuration gear) and the craft is in CG from that I can pretty much figure that 25% aft wheel will give me a good cg on my Kolb. There just so much I can do do with my Kolb right now. I got 3 pages of CG calculations, which are nothing more than best guesses at this stage... . What I have done today is place the motor about as mid position on the rail mount with the RDU still sticking out far enough for the prop to thrush about in clear air. The SPG-2 has a long snout so I am guessing that it will all work out, and if not than the tools will come out and I will do some more tooling. :-) ---- Mike Welch wrote: ============ Ron, Your request for a "maximum tailwheel weight" seems to be missing the point, I would think. If memory serves me (and it still does, mostly), you are using the GEO 4 cyl. engine. Let's say, for the sake of argument, it weighs 220 lbs. so that (mounted in the optimum position), the tailwheel would reflect a specific "weight" for only that engine. Now, let's say we take off that 220 lbs engine for something that weighs ....let's say 180 lbs. (like my GEO 3 cyl.), then the tailwheel will reflect a completely different weight. It would seems to me you would want to take the "weight and balance information" and establish EXACTLY where you want the center of gravity to be, and then mount the engine that produces that result. You could make up a quicky cheapo mount that just holds the engine firmly in place long enough to make calculations. Move it a few times, and when you're happy....voila'!!! Once you've aquired the precise spot that establishes the optimal weight and balance point, THEN build your "high-speed super dooper motor mount.......knowing it sets where the engine belongs...not where it matches the weight on the tailwheel of someone else's rig. In other words....tailwheel weight is engine specific. Just my thoughts. I could be wrong. I have been before. Mike Welch.....taking a Poly Fiber break at the moment. (with no photos) (Ron know's what I mean) _________________________________________________________________ Don't get caught with egg on your face. Play Chicktionary! http://club.live.com/chicktionary.aspx?icid=chick_wlhmtextlink1_dec -- kugelair.com ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 05:39:21 PM PST US From: Ron Subject: Re: Kolb-List: M3X tailwheel weight I did 3 different placements and my tail wheel had 60 pounds 62 pounds and 63 pounds. that is with me in the seat with the nose pod, but no lexan. I figure if I have to I'll stick a battery way up front. I still have instruments and all of that to go forward of the leading edge. It may work out. Ron ===================== ---- Richard Girard wrote: ============ Ron, I had 75 lb. on the tailwheel when I weighed it before I started the rebuild and that was enough that I was aft of the CG limits with full tanks flying solo. Not much, my extended range tank mounted in the passenger's seat brought it back into limits, but only by a whisker. Rick On 12/20/07, Ron wrote: > > Folks I am mounting the engine, for placement purposes. Can anyone tell me > how much weight max weight there supposed to be on the tail for it to remain > within CG. I am trying to locate my heavy installation as far back as > possible but still there are CG limits to contend with. Any info will be > helpful. > > Ron > Arizona > > -- kugelair.com ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 07:07:03 PM PST US From: "Dan G." Subject: Re: Kolb-List: tail wheel weight and CG apilot@surewest.net wrote: "I do not know how much my tail weight is, but I am currently flying with a 28 percent CG. It seems to fly very good. When I first tested it a few years ago, it was at 33 percent. It was awful. I was wondering if you know how most Kolbers set up their CG. Maybe the ideal CG is 30 percent." Vic, I haven't had my 503 powered Firestar II for long, but it flies great at typically 34 to 35 percent CG which is near the aft limit of 37. You need to be careful how you calculate percent CG, however. My plans (1996 vintage) say to use a wing chord of 64 inches, so I divide by 64 to get a percent value. The actual wing chord is about 50 inches not including the ailerons and 62 inches with. I suspect the 64 number is the wing chord based on the theoretical wing section which would have a sharp trailing edge. Dan G. in Tucson ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 10:12:54 PM PST US From: "Robert Laird" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: How do you like your FireFly? I'm a MkIII owner/driver, but I have flown a Firefly with 447... it's performance is terrific, short takeoffs, fast cruise (which, by itself, will break the 103 rule), and a whole lot of fun to fly. Highly recommended! -- Robert On Dec 20, 2007 2:38 PM, jb92563 wrote: > > I have been wondering how people have been liking their FireFly Kolbs. > > I am particularly interested in the Part 103 ones that are really legal. > > I understand that if you have the Rotax 447 equiped version you should be > able to keep under the required weight, but how does it perform with that > engine? > > -------- > Ray > Riverside County, CA > > Do Not Archive > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=153350#153350 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kolb-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kolb-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kolb-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kolb-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.