---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 02/26/08: 33 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:12 AM - Re: Structural Failure (GeoR38@aol.com) 2. 05:06 AM - Re: The Tax People !!! (Aaron Gustafson) 3. 05:33 AM - Re: The Tax People !!! (robert bean) 4. 05:53 AM - Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! (Thom Riddle) 5. 06:37 AM - Florida Aircraft taxes (Jim Hauck) 6. 06:50 AM - Re: The Tax People !!! (Richard & Martha Neilsen) 7. 07:30 AM - Re: Fly the plane!! (Ron) 8. 07:34 AM - Re: The Tax People !!! (George Myers) 9. 07:40 AM - Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! (jb92563) 10. 07:42 AM - Re: Race (not Kolb) (Ron) 11. 07:48 AM - Thieves and tax collectors (Mike Welch) 12. 07:53 AM - Re: Structural Failure (WillUribe@aol.com) 13. 07:58 AM - Re: Structural Failure (TK) 14. 08:04 AM - Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! (WillUribe@aol.com) 15. 08:16 AM - Re: Videos (WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com) 16. 08:38 AM - Re: Structural Failure (WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com) 17. 08:41 AM - Re: Structural Failure (Travis Brown (Kolb Aircraft)) 18. 09:12 AM - Re: Structural Failure (Ralph B) 19. 10:00 AM - Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! (boyd) 20. 10:12 AM - bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) (Ben Ransom) 21. 10:43 AM - Re: bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) (WillUribe@aol.com) 22. 11:16 AM - Re: bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) (WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com) 23. 12:34 PM - Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! (jb92563) 24. 04:19 PM - Re: Structural Failure (DAquaNut@aol.com) 25. 04:30 PM - Re: Structural Failure (DAquaNut@aol.com) 26. 04:36 PM - Re: Structural Failure (John Hauck) 27. 05:40 PM - Re: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's () 28. 06:08 PM - Re: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's (possums) 29. 06:21 PM - Kolb Flying Video (Bill Vincent) 30. 07:18 PM - Light'em up (possums) 31. 07:34 PM - Re: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's (Ron) 32. 07:51 PM - Re: Light'em up (possums) 33. 07:57 PM - Re: Firestar Videos and VG's (JetPilot) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:12:50 AM PST US From: GeoR38@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure In a message dated 2/26/2008 12:24:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, DAquaNut@aol.com writes: Fire Flyers, When pulling my engine through to get fuel to the carb , I noticed a metallic rattle I had not heard before. It was inside the wing. I isolated it to the trailing edge and outboard edge of the left wing as viewed from the seat. Further examination indicated the problem area was near the end of the wing spar. I removed the wing and brought it home. Reluctantly I cut through the fabric, To reveal the 5/16 " X. 035 alum tube running from the outboard trailing edge to the inside of the outboard end of the main wing spar had severed completely . This tube was possibly flattened too much by the factory as it broke where it was flattened. This was a quick build kit. This firefly has never had the wings to hit the ground or anything else. It has never been slightly wrecked. Apparently taxiing on those little four inch wheels, over stressed that 5/16" tube. Anyone heard of this happening to a Firefly? Ed FF # 62 It happened to my firestar at the same location....no big deal, I just replaced it with a slightly less crushed piece George Randolph the Villages, Fl **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:06:00 AM PST US From: "Aaron Gustafson" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: The Tax People !!! It all boils down to "Obey the law you're under" OR "Lie, cheat and hope you don't get caught", maybe allways looking over your shoulder. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 05:33:50 AM PST US From: robert bean Subject: Re: Kolb-List: The Tax People !!! This is a different case, such as the long time owners of a homebuilt being dunned at the time of registration. If there are many in your state facing the same deal I would seek a letter ruling from the tax commissioner or the state attorney general stating a uniform framework on this specific situation. If you are in a EAA chapter that would give you some standing. Folks who move to a state with no income tax are sometimes deceiving themselves and end up facing endless nuisance taxes instead. NY has a bad rep but is very reasonable for retirees. No state airplane licensure or annual tax. I gave them $60 voluntarily for my "sales tax" and they accepted it. BB On 26, Feb 2008, at 8:03 AM, Aaron Gustafson wrote: > It all boils down to "Obey the law you're under" > > OR > > "Lie, cheat and hope you don't get caught", maybe allways looking > over your shoulder. > www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List_- > ============================================================ _- > forums.matronics.com_- > ============================================================ _- > contribution_- > =========================================================== > ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 05:53:01 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! From: "Thom Riddle" Scott, The state of New York has an impressively effective bunch of bureaucrats whose job is to comb the FAA registration database, at least annually, and find newly registered aircraft in their jurisdiction. They WILL find and WILL send you a sales tax bill. You can guess how I know this. If you have somehow escaped their notice (so far) I would not count on this forever. That said, I'm still waiting (with my fingers crossed) on my sales tax bill for the FS1 I bought and registered last July. They've always found me in the past and I expect they will again. When they do, they will also bill you for fines and penalties for not volunteering to pay the tax in a timely fashion. So far, I've talked them out of those by pleading ignorance and cutting a check for the actual tax due. On the plus side, New York does not have what is called the annual Ad Valorem tax that is a real PITA in many states in the south. So once you pay the sales tax there is no more annual penance to be paid. Same for cars and boats. -------- Thom Riddle N221FA Allegro 2000 912UL N197BG FS1/447 -------------------- Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. - Buddha Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=166313#166313 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 06:37:26 AM PST US From: "Jim Hauck" Subject: Kolb-List: Florida Aircraft taxes http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/sut_aircraft_owner.html Y'all this explains Florida Aircraft taxes. Jim Hauck ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 06:50:15 AM PST US From: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: The Tax People !!! My advice is to be reasonable and believable. It isn't worth getting a tax fraud charge. I said It was a home built airplane purchased and built 15 years ago with a VW beetle engine which it is. I gave them a low total cost. These people are used to the sale of a Cessna or Piper. They don't have a clue what a homebuilt plane costs especially years ago. Call it by the FAA description NeilsenKolb which adds another level of confusion. You may want to add in the description that is was once considered a ultralight. The main thing is to convince them that it isn't a high $ GA airplane that would be worth looking into. A few dollars just isn't worth their time Be prepared for the yearly registration charge. Michigan has a minimum so I pay $10/ year. Rick Neilsen Redrive VW powered MKIIIC ----- Original Message ----- From: robert bean To: kolb-list@matronics.com Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:31 AM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: The Tax People !!! This is a different case, such as the long time owners of a homebuilt being dunned at the time of registration. If there are many in your state facing the same deal I would seek a letter ruling from the tax commissioner or the state attorney general stating a uniform framework on this specific situation. If you are in a EAA chapter that would give you some standing. Folks who move to a state with no income tax are sometimes deceiving themselves and end up facing endless nuisance taxes instead. NY has a bad rep but is very reasonable for retirees. No state airplane licensure or annual tax. I gave them $60 voluntarily for my "sales tax" and they accepted it. BB On 26, Feb 2008, at 8:03 AM, Aaron Gustafson wrote: It all boils down to "Obey the law you're under" OR "Lie, cheat and hope you don't get caught", maybe allways looking over your shoulder. - The Kolb-List Email Forum - class="Apple-converted-space"> --> http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List --> http://forums.matronics.com - List Contribution Web Site - -Matt Dralle, List Admin. class="Apple-converted-space"> --> http://www.matronics.com/contribution ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 07:30:37 AM PST US From: Ron Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fly the plane!! Yes Mike I agree. Kolb quit sounds like some kind of epithet, maybe it was about Homer going into retirement. Ron (TxAz) ================================================== ---- Mike Welch wrote: ============ John, and group of Kolb Guys, I just watched all 3 videos, in their entirety, and must say that this latest discussion about "Kolb quit" (as Pat prefers to call it) has been the most useless thread I've read in years!! Watching these gentlemen fly and land their Firestars reminded me of why I wanted a Kolb in the first place...namely because they are incredibly docile machines. Conversions about stalling and bending landing gear and Kolb drop and other inane subjects have only lead to fears to those of us that have yet to fly our planes. I have several hundred hours of flight time on my Cessna 172. I have never come even close to bending the landing gear. I've never dropped it in from 10' feet up. I've never stalled it as I was landing. (Although I watched someone do this on a 152 rental plane). Now I say to myself "why would I fear landing a Kolb, providing I FLY THE PLANE!!!" Now, I'm NOT coming down on anyone who has ever bent landing gear. I know crap happens. Even the best among us can have a lapse of concentration and make a misjudgement. This may very well happen to me, someday. But having just watched an excellent example of potential Kolb performance, long drawn-out discussions on falling out the sky seem useless. Learn to fly the plane, simple as that. I found these videos refreshing, from the standpoint of knowing I am building an enjoyable flying,and gentle, well balanced aircraft. Mike Welch Kolb MkIII _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ -- kugelair.com ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 07:34:30 AM PST US From: "George Myers" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: The Tax People !!! Careful...this country was founded by people who didn't want to pay taxes perceived as unfair. From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Aaron Gustafson Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:03 AM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: The Tax People !!! It all boils down to "Obey the law you're under" OR "Lie, cheat and hope you don't get caught", maybe allways looking over your shoulder. ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 07:40:08 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! From: "jb92563" For a glider I bought I was sent 3 tax bills. One from Santa Ynez county in CA where the previous owner lived, one from Riverside County where I live, and one from Orange County because I live a couple miles from their county line and they though they could snag some extra bucks. In the end I ended up paying nothing because I read their Tax ordinances on aircraft and found that my Glider by their own definition was not "designed for powered navigation through the air"......nope....no power in a glider.....Haaaaaa....they had to eat their own regs!!! Unfortunately my Moni Motor Glider does cost me even though its not even finished being built.......so the buggers got me anyway. The UltraStar however is not registered so I'm in the clear with that one too! 2 out of 3 aint bad! -------- Ray Kolb UltraStar (Cuyuna UL-202) Moni MotorGlider Schreder HP-11 Glider Riverside County, CA Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=166342#166342 ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 07:42:28 AM PST US From: Ron Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Race (not Kolb) All I can say about that boy, and it makes me worry about my own, is that we just saw the result of too many video games growing up. Ron (TxAz) ================================= ---- planecrazzzy wrote: ============ http://www.snotr.com/video/568 Gotta Fly... Mike & "Jaz" in MN -------- .. .. .. .. .. Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=165629#165629 -- kugelair.com ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 07:48:33 AM PST US From: Mike Welch Subject: Kolb-List: Thieves and tax collectors Kolb guys, Interesting that this subject of taxes regarding your airplane has just come up. I just finished a 3 month ordeal being screwed by the county tax thieves. One of the funny (read that "irritating") things about the tax thieves is they operate about a year to three years behind the times. This last December I got a tax bill for $400 for my Cessna 172, plus there was an additional $300 in fines and penalties, since this bill was from 2006. The remarkable thing is: They NEVER notified me of the original bill (I had moved by the time they sent out the notice...and the USPO was no longer forwarding my mail, since so much time had elapsed.) So, in December 2007, I get this bill [for my hard efforts to buy myself a toy (Cessna)], for $700. PLUS!!! They want an additional $400 for 2007, for a total of $1100. I had left the @!#$# state in 2006. But being a day late and a dollar short, they won't realize that for another year or two. So, since I'm no longer living in the %$#!! state, I think "screw 'em!!" Right? I'll not go back. And I think they're thieves, anyway. So what do they do?? They initiate a lien and post it on my credit reports. My credit is stellar...more than 760, so I think "who the hell cares"? But then it turns out I decide to move to Missouri and build a house....and I need a "line of credit". Now I'm screwed. I have to pay off that stinking lien to proceed forward. For the next two months, I plead my case that I shouldn't have to pay ANY penalties and fines, since they never notified me of the bill in the first place, and besides, the bill for 2007 is erroneous, because I had left the state already. Oh, and here's the real clincher!!! FIRST, you have to pay ALL the bill, and then they decide if you are relieved of any of the tax or penalties!!!! A couple of weeks ago I finally settled the matter, was able to get the line of credit, and pay only the initial $400. They "forgave" me for the rest. How benevolent of them. The point of this story is; THEY are the government. They can do ANYTHING they want to you. If some stupid schmuck dreams up a tax (and they have), you WILL pay it. Or they will bring down ALL their resources upon you. Our forefathers had the right attitude about big government. Somehow, we have forgotten what they taught. (This email has been the "G Rated version" for our younger audience, and those with sensitive ears!) Mike Welch Do Not Archive _________________________________________________________________ Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail-get your "fix". http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 07:53:08 AM PST US From: WillUribe@aol.com Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Hi Ed, I wouldn't call those tubes structural, per the builder's manual they are installed to keep the wing bow from bending when shrinking the fabric. Dave Rains old FireStar II had the same problem and flew it like that for a long time until the lose tube started chaffing the fabric. It wasn't until after he accidentally started the engine at full throttle inside the hanger and ran the wing tip into the hanger wall was when we fixed them. Regards, Will Uribe El Paso, TX FireStar II N4GU _http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1089406573728651489_ (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1089406573728651489) _http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7821240344254343216_ (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7821240344254343216) _http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1480724639524498797_ (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1480724639524498797) (https://www.google.com/video/upload/Status) From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of DAquaNut@aol.com Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 10:21 PM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Fire Flyers, When pulling my engine through to get fuel to the carb , I noticed a metallic rattle I had not heard before. It was inside the wing. I isolated it to the trailing edge and outboard edge of the left wing as viewed from the seat. Further examination indicated the problem area was near the end of the wing spar. I removed the wing and brought it home. Reluctantly I cut through the fabric, To reveal the 5/16 " X. 035 alum tube running from the outboard trailing edge to the inside of the outboard end of the main wing spar had severed completely . This tube was possibly flattened too much by the factory as it broke where it was flattened. This was a quick build kit. This firefly has never had the wings to hit the ground or anything else. It has never been slightly wrecked. Apparently taxiing on those little four inch wheels, over stressed that 5/16" tube. Anyone heard of this happening to a Firefly? Ed FF # 62 **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 07:58:12 AM PST US From: TK Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com wrote: > > > In a message dated 2/26/2008 12:24:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, > DAquaNut@aol.com writes: > > To reveal the 5/16 " X. 035 alum tube running from the outboard > trailing edge to the inside of the outboard end of the main wing > spar had severed completely . > > Ed, > > This has happened to many Kolbs, including mine (both > wings). Basically that tube just holds some tension on the > trailing edge spar and wing tip bow to help keep them in position, > so as not to have it bend back during rough handling or contact > with the ground. It is not to serious and I continued flying for > awhile, but kept checking on it to be sure it wasn't bending > back. Finally, I elected to repair mine by using a larger, > 3/8" diameter tube. The worst part was making the decision to cut > an access hole in my nicely painted wing fabric :( > > Bill Varnes > Original Kolb FireStar > Audubon NJ > Do Not Archive > Ed, Bill, How many hours did you have on it when this happened? I haven't heard of this before and haven't had a problem so far ( keep my mouth shut or I will ). Having to replace my aileron gap seals after nine years, not bad for book tape, and I have the wings off to do so. Didn't notice any problem with this diagonal tube. Have had some pretty rough landings over the years. Will be keeping an eye out for this on my preflights. Terry - FireFly #95 ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 08:04:14 AM PST US From: WillUribe@aol.com Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! Hi Dave, My suggestions is move to Texas, not state income tax or airplane tax. Regards, Will Uribe El Paso, TX FireStar II do not archive PS; Helping Dave Rains build his Mosquito, hope to be at MV if we get the engine in time. From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of BMWBikeCrz@aol.com Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 5:40 PM Subject: Kolb-List: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! Now that I have done the "right thing" and registered my Firestar the State of Florida wants Sales Tax !!! Any Suggestions ??? Thanks ! Dave **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 08:16:24 AM PST US From: WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Videos Will, That third video shows an awfully long runway. I'd think you might run out of fuel before reaching the end. Hehehe. Bill Varnes Audubon, NJ do not archive In a message dated 2/26/2008 10:54:10 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, WillUribe@aol.com writes: Hi Ed, I wouldn't call those tubes structural, per the builder's manual they are installed to keep the wing bow from bending when shrinking the fabric. Dave Rains old FireStar II had the same problem and flew it like that for a long time until the lose tube started chaffing the fabric. It wasn't until after he accidentally started the engine at full throttle inside the hanger and ran the wing tip into the hanger wall was when we fixed them. Regards, Will Uribe El Paso, TX FireStar II N4GU _http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1089406573728651489_ (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1089406573728651489) _http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7821240344254343216_ (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7821240344254343216) _http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1480724639524498797_ (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1480724639524498797) (https://www.google.com/video/upload/Status) From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of DAquaNut@aol.com Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 10:21 PM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Fire Flyers, When pulling my engine through to get fuel to the carb , I noticed a metallic rattle I had not heard before. It was inside the wing. I isolated it to the trailing edge and outboard edge of the left wing as viewed from the seat. Further examination indicated the problem area was near the end of the wing spar. I removed the wing and brought it home. Reluctantly I cut through the fabric, To reveal the 5/16 " X. 035 alum tube running from the outboard trailing edge to the inside of the outboard end of the main wing spar had severed completely . This tube was possibly flattened too much by the factory as it broke where it was flattened. This was a quick build kit. This firefly has never had the wings to hit the ground or anything else. It has never been slightly wrecked. Apparently taxiing on those little four inch wheels, over stressed that 5/16" tube. Anyone heard of this happening to a Firefly? Ed FF # 62 ____________________________________ Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. _Watch the video on AOL Living._ (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) (http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List) (http://www.matronics.com/contribution) Bill Varnes Original Kolb FireStar Audubon NJ Do Not Archive **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 08:38:07 AM PST US From: WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure In a message dated 2/26/2008 10:58:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, tkrolfe@toast.net writes: How many hours did you have on it when this happened? Terry/Ed, Re the drag tube for the wingtip bow. I had 38 hours on the airframe when I heard the rattle in the left wing, while the right wing went 115 hours. By the way, I have the early, original model FireStar and the tube was only 1/4" OD! It broke at the bend where it attaches to the end of the main spar. I think the bend caused too much stress on the tube, like maybe it was cracked a little during construction. I built it, so maybe my mistake. The 3/8" tube I replaced it with hasn't broke yet. But of course it added a few more ounces. Bill Varnes Original Kolb FireStar Audubon NJ **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 08:41:48 AM PST US From: "Travis Brown (Kolb Aircraft)" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Hello everyone Bryan of Custom Air has ask me to post on this list that when he started building our Quickbuilds in 1999 he noticed this particular tube being crimped from TOK quickbuilds. Bryan has always used a smooth radius on this tube and has also corrected many crimped tubes from earlier quickbuilds.This is not a structural issue but should be repaired if noticed. Travis @ Kolb ----- Original Message ----- From: WillUribe@aol.com To: kolb-list@matronics.com Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:49 AM Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Hi Ed, I wouldn't call those tubes structural, per the builder's manual they are installed to keep the wing bow from bending when shrinking the fabric. Dave Rains old FireStar II had the same problem and flew it like that for a long time until the lose tube started chaffing the fabric. It wasn't until after he accidentally started the engine at full throttle inside the hanger and ran the wing tip into the hanger wall was when we fixed them. Regards, Will Uribe El Paso, TX FireStar II N4GU http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1089406573728651489 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7821240344254343216 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1480724639524498797 From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of DAquaNut@aol.com Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 10:21 PM To: kolb-list@matronics.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Fire Flyers, When pulling my engine through to get fuel to the carb , I noticed a metallic rattle I had not heard before. It was inside the wing. I isolated it to the trailing edge and outboard edge of the left wing as viewed from the seat. Further examination indicated the problem area was near the end of the wing spar. I removed the wing and brought it home. Reluctantly I cut through the fabric, To reveal the 5/16 " X. 035 alum tube running from the outboard trailing edge to the inside of the outboard end of the main wing spar had severed completely . This tube was possibly flattened too much by the factory as it broke where it was flattened. This was a quick build kit. This firefly has never had the wings to hit the ground or anything else. It has never been slightly wrecked. Apparently taxiing on those little four inch wheels, over stressed that 5/16" tube. Anyone heard of this happening to a Firefly? Ed FF # 62 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 09:12:51 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Structural Failure From: "Ralph B" This happened on my Original Firestar many years ago. It will affect the wing enough to cause a slight roll. When I repaired it the tube, the roll tendency went away. This roll may be due to the 5-rib wing in these early Firestars. The 7-rib wings may not be affected. The Original Firestars used a 1/4" tube. I had to cut a large piece of fabric out of the bottom of the wing and then rivet in 5/16" tubing. Another thing was to make the bend where it attaches to the spar with a piece of 3/32" aluminum and rivet the tube to that. This way the tube wont break again. -------- Ralph B Original Firestar N91493 E-AB 21 years flying it Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=166368#166368 ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 10:00:35 AM PST US From: "boyd" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! Now that I have done the "right thing" and registered my Firestar the State of Florida wants Sales Tax !!! Any Suggestions ??? Thanks ! Dave >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Pay it or move to a state that does not have sales tax. In Utah they wanted sales tax on the kolb.. a lot of tax. in the tax due line it showed, " $530,114.11" as the fair market value of aircraft on registration date, and at 6% tax rate they only wanted " $31,806.85" needless to say we did a bit of negotiating. . then they wanted property tax and registration fees. based on the above information . then after a few years I discovered, quite by accident, that I qualified for registration in the antique/experimental category,,, and the registration is a 1 time lifetime fee. Instead of yearly fees. Your state may have different laws. But worth asking. Now I have gone from $70.00 down to the $25.00 range per year. Boyd ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 10:12:23 AM PST US From: Ben Ransom Subject: Kolb-List: bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) On the earlier model Firestars, plans called for two crossing diagonal braces in the bow tip area, aft of the main spar. IIRC, plans called for these to be tie-wrapped together to avoid chaffing. They chafe anyway, enf to have worn partway through in mine by 200 hours. As well, tie-wraps get brittle and can break in 3-4 years. The chafing is from the 2-stroke vibration, not the 4" wheels. BTW, the plans also called out an option to beef this area up differently and stronger because it seemed the most prone to damage in a ground-loop. I believe those who say these diagonal braces may not be important for flight loads. I used proseal in a couple other areas where this was a concern, notably where the steel drag strut braces run right along ribs 2 and 3. Just a dab in between, right where two members cross each other allows them to carry their own vibrations and strains without chafing, and Proseal will never ever unbond. I might call attention to any new folks that Kolbs are proven in the area of structural integrity more than most. I don't know of any other plane where the original designer put his name on the product to the extent of purposefully exceeding the envelope, in flight, to find what broke first. That said, it is our responsibility to maintain them so finding and fixing wear, fatigue, or corrosion is crucial. -Ben/ KXP TK wrote: > WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com wrote: >> >> >> In a message dated 2/26/2008 12:24:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, >> DAquaNut@aol.com writes: >> >> To reveal the 5/16 " X. 035 alum tube running from the outboard >> trailing edge to the inside of the outboard end of the main wing >> spar had severed completely . >> >> Ed, >> >> This has happened to many Kolbs, including mine (both >> wings). Basically that tube just holds some tension on the >> trailing edge spar and wing tip bow to help keep them >> in position, so as not to have it bend back during rough handling >> or contact with the ground. It is not to serious and I continued >> flying for awhile, but kept checking on it to be sure it wasn't >> bending back. Finally, I elected to repair mine by using a >> larger, 3/8" diameter tube. The worst part was making the >> decision to cut an access hole in my nicely painted wing fabric :( >> >> Bill Varnes >> Original Kolb FireStar >> Audubon NJ >> Do Not Archive >> > Ed, Bill, > > How many hours did you have on it when this happened? I haven't heard > of this before and haven't had a problem so far ( keep my mouth shut > or I will ). Having to replace my aileron gap seals after nine years, > not bad for book tape, and I have the wings off to do so. Didn't > notice any problem with this diagonal tube. Have had some pretty > rough landings over the years. Will be keeping an eye out for this on > my preflights. > > Terry - FireFly #95 > * > > > * ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 10:43:53 AM PST US From: WillUribe@aol.com Subject: RE: Kolb-List: bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) Hi Ben, My plans didn't call for tie-wraps, here is a picture of my braces. Regards, Will Uribe El Paso, TX FireStar II N4GU _http://members.aol.com/firestartwo/Kit1.html_ (http://members.aol.com/firestartwo/Kit1.html) -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Ben Ransom Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:09 AM Subject: Kolb-List: bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) On the earlier model Firestars, plans called for two crossing diagonal braces in the bow tip area, aft of the main spar. IIRC, plans called for these to be tie-wrapped together to avoid chaffing. They chafe anyway, enf to have worn partway through in mine by 200 hours. As well, tie-wraps get brittle and can break in 3-4 years. The chafing is from the 2-stroke vibration, not the 4" wheels. BTW, the plans also called out an option to beef this area up differently and stronger because it seemed the most prone to damage in a ground-loop. I believe those who say these diagonal braces may not be important for flight loads. **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 22 ____________________________________ Time: 11:16:47 AM PST US From: WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: bow tip diagonal braces (was structural failure) In a message dated 2/26/2008 1:13:17 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, bransom@ucdavis.edu writes: On the earlier model Firestars, plans called for two crossing diagonal braces in the bow tip area, aft of the main spar. IIRC, plans called for these to be tie-wrapped together to avoid chaffing. They chafe anyway, enf to have worn partway through in mine by 200 hours. Ben, I'm glad that you mentioned that. I'd forgotten about that part. When I replaced the long tube that broke, I used a small square piece of aluminum sheet (.032" x 2" x 2") riveting it to the two tubes where they cross (4 rivets). Bill Varnes Original Kolb FireStar Audubon NJ **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 23 ____________________________________ Time: 12:34:18 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Holy Crap ! The Tax People !!! From: "jb92563" The moral of all these stories is that the Tax people do a lot of indiscriminate grabbing for your money if you own something taxable so its up to you to find out what your local county tax code regulations say as many people are probably paying more than they have to and may even have liens against your aircraft you don't even know about yet. You don't expect them to tell you what discounts you qualify for?!!! But they sure as heck are more than happy to put liens against anything and everything you own when ever they can. Its up to you to find out what is right in your county and straighten them out. -------- Ray Kolb UltraStar (Cuyuna UL-202) Moni MotorGlider Schreder HP-11 Glider Riverside County, CA Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=166420#166420 ________________________________ Message 24 ____________________________________ Time: 04:19:08 PM PST US From: DAquaNut@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure In a message dated 2/26/2008 6:13:24 A.M. Central Standard Time, GeoR38@aol.com writes: It happened to my firestar at the same location....no big deal, I just replaced it with a slightly less crushed piece George Randolph the Villages, Fl George, Did you ever decide if it was caused by taxiing on a rough strip or what ? I have removed the rivets using a flexible shaft through a small hole about 6" from the main spar. I also had to put a hole big enough to put my hand through right at the end of the main spar. I have a piece of 3/8" x .028 6061-T 6 ordered that I plan on bending drilling and then sliding over the original 5/16" tubing like a sleeve. Plan on putting 3 rivets in it. Hopefully that will secure it sufficiently. Otherwise I will have to do a lot more recovering and patching. Ed FF # 62 **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 25 ____________________________________ Time: 04:30:18 PM PST US From: DAquaNut@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure In a message dated 2/26/2008 9:58:47 A.M. Central Standard Time, tkrolfe@toast.net writes: How many hours did you have on it when this happened? I haven't heard of this before and haven't had a problem so far ( keep my mouth shut or I will ). Having to replace my aileron gap seals after nine years, not bad for book tape, and I have the wings off to do so. Didn't notice any problem with this diagonal tube. Have had some pretty rough landings over the years. Will be keeping an eye out for this on my preflights. Terry - FireFly #95 Terry, I had 80 hrs on it when it was descovered. Hope to have her fixed real soon. If it isn.t one thing its another. Not sure what caused it to break, but there is some comfort in knowing mine was not the first and its not considered serious. Ed FF # 62 **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ________________________________ Message 26 ____________________________________ Time: 04:36:31 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Structural Failure Hi Ed: Usually, tubes break because of vibration. Two strokes are notorious for creating just the right frequency to stress crack and cause breakage. Of course, when an aluminum tube is bent, it has already started the failure process. 1/4" aluminum tubes are prone to break. Your fix sounds good to me. Primary function of the 1/4" diagonal tube is, as someone has already pointed out, to act as a brace when shrinking the fabric on the bow tip. The very important braces to check periodically, especially the 5 rib FS and US wing, is the diagonal leading edge brace from main spar to the leading edge. This is what keeps the noses of the main ribs in column. The two braces on the nose of the inboard rib are not as important. Their function is to hold the IB rib nose when the fabric is shrunk. john h - breaker of little aluminum tube braces in US and FS wings. mkIII Did you ever decide if it was caused by taxiing on a rough strip or what ? Ed FF # 62 ________________________________ Message 27 ____________________________________ Time: 05:40:59 PM PST US From: Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's where does one place the vg's on the horiz stab? ________________________________ Message 28 ____________________________________ Time: 06:08:50 PM PST US From: possums Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's At 08:38 PM 2/26/2008, you wrote: > >where does one place the vg's on the horiz stab? http://www.landshorter.com/page4.html If you decide to use them on the underside of your horizontal stabilizer to improve your flare then you will place them about 1" apart and just in front of the elevator. ________________________________ Message 29 ____________________________________ Time: 06:21:51 PM PST US From: "Bill Vincent" Subject: Kolb-List: Kolb Flying Video Hi Gang I am sending a link to my second video on youtube. It is only 49 seconds long; because of the media format that the original video was stored in, the video is a little blurry. Last summer with my still camera I took some low altitude pictures of my local river. While landing, I decided to use the video feature on my still camera. I held the camera in my left hand while controlling the plane and throttle with my right hand; this was difficult because the air was turbulent ( and the 2 deer that ran out in front of me ) :-O Bill Vincent FS II Upper Peninsula of Michigan Do Not Archive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxpm72IIDPM ________________________________ Message 30 ____________________________________ Time: 07:18:53 PM PST US From: possums Subject: Kolb-List: Light'em up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P88Rf8_lu5A&feature=related ________________________________ Message 31 ____________________________________ Time: 07:34:47 PM PST US From: Ron Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's I am guessing the VG's were just a smidgen too far aft. They were grabbing energized air but barely. I would just for grins place them about .25 inch further forward to see what happens. Ron (Txaz) ============================= ---- "R. Hankins" wrote: ============ > I would also say it's very possible that one Kolb may not perform exactly like another Kolb of the same model due to building methods, pilot weight, etc.... > > Eventually the tail wheel was rolling on the ground way before the mains touched.... > > The power on stall was impressive. The airplane didn't want to stall. It just wanted to mush a little and then keep flying. Michael, You did a great job of describing the characteristics of my KXP. I can drag the tail wheel on landing, hold the stick all the way back and not lose elevator control, and do full power, full back stick mushes with only a stall buffet. I do all of these with no VGs. I installed VGs a couple of years ago, but removed them because of the sharpness of power-off stalls. I can drag the tail on landing without them. With the VGs the tail would touch while the mains were still a good foot and a half in the air. The mains would then plop down a little harder then I wanted. If I ever get around to adding longer gear legs, I will try them again. Thanks for the great videos and information. -------- Roger in Oregon 1992 KXP 503 - N1782C Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=166135#166135 -- kugelair.com ________________________________ Message 32 ____________________________________ Time: 07:51:36 PM PST US From: possums Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Light'em up At 10:14 PM 2/26/2008, you wrote: Sorry......... meant for beauford ________________________________ Message 33 ____________________________________ Time: 07:57:37 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Firestar Videos and VG's From: "JetPilot" One thing that those considering putting VG's on thier planes really need to know is that the size, shape and EXACT placement of the vortex generators is CRITICAL. Like most things in flying, a very small change can make a very big difference. Using RC wing skids, or peices of aluminum for making VG's might work, but it might make the difference between something that just helps some, and something that makes a huge improvement in performance. If you want the full benefits and maximum performance from VG's, use the www.landshorter.com VG's that have been tested and optimized for size and shape, and follow the placement instructions exactly. My experience, this report, and many others like it are the reason that I posted on the benefits of VG's. For those few that were just last week telling everyone that VG's were not needed if you just flew the plane correctly, and that the Kolb drop should be tolerated instead of corrected, your statements and arguements are now sounding kind of weak.... Its not as much gun to gang up on several guys reporting the same facts and flight tests as it is to gang up and try to discredit one is it ? A few guys dug in so firmly on a wrong position and then tried to save face, that several tried silence and discredit good informatin. Bottom line, those that put thier own egos and group politics above the truth did a real disservice to those that would like to improve the flying charastics of their Kolbs. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! 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