---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 03/24/13: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 09:10 AM - Kolb Factory's canopy enclosure framework (Dennis Thate) 2. 12:19 PM - Re: Kolb Factory's canopy enclosure framework (Larry Cottrell) 3. 04:17 PM - Re: Can't reach the Panel... (olendorf) 4. 05:02 PM - Re: Kolb Factory's canopy enclosure framework (Dennis Thate) 5. 05:21 PM - Re: Jack Hart ? (Jack B. Hart) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 09:10:47 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Kolb Factory's canopy enclosure framework From: "Dennis Thate" If any one is interested in a look at the Kolb Factory's design , here is the overhead hoop (4130) ,and side bows (4130 Steel) RH and LH for the Kolb Firestar. I'm still undecided about which of the many canopy designs to incorporate on my Firestar, so I will sell these if I decide not to use them. -------- Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=396906#396906 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/dscn3689_751.jpg ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 12:19:05 PM PST US Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Kolb Factory's canopy enclosure framework From: Larry Cottrell Dennis, I have had my Firestar since 97, I have been through most of the variations of windscreens. I have been from the tiny piece of lexan to a full factory enclosure. All have their good and bad sides. The tiny screen was discarded quite soon. I found that the wind hit me in the face and the resultant snot streaks on my glasses were off putting to say the least. Next I bought a full enclosure from Kolb, and didn't like the post in the middle of my vision, so I left it off. On a windy day the wind snatched the lexan out of my hand and snapped it like a piece of glass. I repaired it and used the entire enclosure on my trip to New Mexico. I used it because I had stuff stacked in the interior for my camping. I found that it cost me several MPG and MPH due to the wind grabbing on to the square back side of the curtain. On my return I took the fabric back window off and found that it wasn't noticeably colder without it than with it. Then I decided that I wanted doors and ended up with my current set up. It suits me for once. I have a big enough door that I can sit on the seat and get my head in without any strain and can swing my legs and feet in with little effort. I used the kit from Kolb, and did a few mods to it to make it work for me. I welded some tabs on the top of the hoop, and made a rod that goes from the tabs to my dash. I also welded a tab on the end and I fastened that to the dash in the upper corner. That gave me both bracing and a platform to rivet a door to. One of the problems that I had with all the other things I tried was that the wind would cave in the sides of the lexan. Now, although I could have done a better job on making the door frames, I have got to be really "rock and rolling" for the lexan to flex. I am 6 feet tall and a bit chunkier than I really need to be, but I have no problems at all with getting in or out. The wind all goes around, and the prop still gets air. For what its worth, Larry On Sun, Mar 24, 2013 at 10:06 AM, Dennis Thate wrote: > > If any one is interested in a look at the Kolb Factory's design , here is > the overhead hoop (4130) ,and side bows (4130 Steel) RH and LH for the Kolb > Firestar. > I'm still undecided about which of the many canopy designs to incorporate > on my Firestar, so I will sell these if I decide not to use them. > > -------- > Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist > invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern > > -- *If you forward this email, or any part of it, please remove my email address before sending.* ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 04:17:58 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Can't reach the Panel... From: "olendorf" Dennis Thate wrote: > > > That's excellent! Did it change the weight & balance much ? > > Thanks for the post. > Dennis I didn't notice any change but at the same time I built an entire new enclosure so I wouldn't be able to separate the panel's effect anyway. Definitely something to think about though when making changes. -------- Scott Olendorf Original Firestar, Rotax 447, Powerfin prop Schenectady, NY http://sites.google.com/site/kolbfirestar/ Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=396929#396929 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 05:02:15 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Kolb Factory's canopy enclosure framework From: "Dennis Thate" Thanks for posting your experiences with the many variations of your Firestar cockpit's windscreens and the clear photos you posted ....it's a great help. Especially regarding my concerns about choking off prop air. This forum can be invaluable asset at times. Eleanor Roosevelt - "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. " Fly Safe Dennis -------- Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=396930#396930 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 05:21:13 PM PST US From: "Jack B. Hart" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Jack Hart ? At 04:15 PM 3/18/2013 -0700, you wrote: > >Is Jack Hart still tinkering with his Firefly ? >. >Gotta Fly... > Yes, but at greatly reduced speed. Spent two years rebuilding a post and beam barn to make it into something useful. My wife sounds the alarm if I spray any thing in my basement work shop. It will continue to be slow for the next six months as the wife had a total back reconstruction. She is home and doing well, but I am the primary care giver. The current goal is get her well enough to go out for ice cream on June 16th our 50th wedding aniversary. Been working on a better center section. Also working on the cad program to add droop wing tips that will add a few more square feet of wing area and greatly reduce induced drag. All in the hopes of getting a little more climb rate and speed out of the 27 hp. Snowing again Jack B. Hart FF004 Winchester, IN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.