Kolb Firefly Breakfast flight part 2
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- The return flight from Lake Isabella where I had flown to early in the morning for breakfast. Aircraft is a Kolb Firefly ultralight that I built myself.
See my website for links to build log and DIY Aviation electronic projects
myplace.frontie...
I meant to get my pilots license and into ultralights 20 years ago but kids and family took precedents. Well I'm not ready just yet but your videos have really inspired me to start making plans for it in my future. Thanks for making these videos.
+Brian Hagmeier I knew 5 years in advance of my retirement that I was going to build the Firefly and started gathering all the information I needed. Watched all the videos I could find as well. Now, I'm glad I can return the favor and help someone else. You won't need the pilots license if you intend to fly ultralights and nothing else but it sure wouldn't hurt either. Look at the requirements for light sport as well. You may decide to go that route. Building the plane had good days and bad days but in the end was very rewarding. The firefly is the Cadillac of Ultralights in my opinion
Gregg Kaat If you don't mind me asking, what was your total cost to build it?
11k for the kit, 4k for the engine, 1k for paint and chemicals, and approx. 1 k for power and hand tools plus assorted sundries over the year to build. You can buy one already built for half that but don't necessarily know if it was built well or not unless you know what you are looking for. I wanted to build mine to occupy my time and learn some things to prepare for my next project...a Sonex.
Gregg Kaat, I found a local group near me, I'm going to spend some time checking out their machines and pickin' their brains. Thanks for taking the time to share this info.
Safe landings to sir.
You still flying this? Hello from Hesperia.
nice vid and aircraft
what seatbelt did you use?
I don't know the brand name. It came with the kit. Has shoulder straps as well as a waist strap.
I've enjoyed your videos immensely; thank you. Question, your rear seat tank what is the quantity and can you pump it direct into the main tank or to the engine? I'm building an Excalibur and have made way for a removable 14 gallon tank in my rear seat area which I've set up to pump direct into the main tank in-flight. I'm using a Hirth 3202 55 HP engine on the bird and look forward to getting her into the air soon. Mike from North Pole, Alaska
My Firefly is an ultralight so legally I can only have 5 gallons of fuel. I sometimes carry a 2 gallon can behind my seat as luggage just in case the winds aloft cause me to use more fuel than planned. The can is not plumbed in to the fuel system in any way
Congratulations... Do you know how much it costs to built?
What do you use for navigation?
King AV8OR GPS...No longer available unless you can find a used one
What is the max headwind this can take?
I enjoyed flying back with you - was enjoyable. If I may offer just one comment: I'd move that pattern WAY IN toward the runway - like having the runway just off the wingtip.
If your engine failed (they do in the pattern due to manipulation of the throttle - just happens) you would not have been able to glide to the runway (would you?). You mentioned something about a "high approach" - didn't quite understand that. Pattern altitude is ....pattern altitude. 800 or 1,000' generally. Everyone else will be there.
I've always wanted to build a Sonex. I'm really not too proficient with the "metal work." A friend of mine finished one here in Florida, Valkaria Airport (X-59). He's built several airplanes and did a great job on his Sonex. Believe he now has another project he would like to start. He's had a Starduster II - and an airplane he ordered from Europe - finished that one also.
Your engine sounded really good - is it a 447? Hard to get to 254 or 276 (with chute) with a 2 cylinder airplane. Every ounce counts! :) Or, is your plane a Sport Pilot plane?
I flew my last project, an "Experimental Amateur Built," (an EROS Mini-max) for over 13 years. Wore out two 503's flying it - tried to put 1,000 hrs on it, but came up a bit short. May be another project in there. :) Did 3. Thanks for your video. N-6395T
+Michael Donavon Have to agree that the pattern should be closer. I was a bit high so opted to run my pattern out a bit wide to lose my altitude gradually instead of extending my downwind. It's always turbulent over the trees at the end of the runway. Seems like I always end up over the road for my downwind though. Hard to get my old Cessna approach out of my mind. Won't have a choice at my future new location. Trees on both sides of the runway. That pattern will definitely be close. My ultralight is legal. I get comments sometimes for not having brakes or full windshield but that's what it takes to keep the weight down to legal limits. My engine is one of the last new 447's that was available. It has been running very well so far. Has the typical hot EGT in the midrange region but I have a routine to manage that. Sonex has good support so even though I haven't done any sheet metal work before, I'm sure I can find help if I don't understand something. I have a friend that has built 3 airplanes, so I'm sure he has some good advice too. Sonex just moved their seat back further in their new model. I'm only 5'6 so I'm nervous that cushions may not be enough to help. Hopefully they can come up with an option to help me out there. Had to go the cushion route in my ultralight to reach the rudder pedals. The Sonex is a "want or hope to get" at this point. Not a done deal yet
Mr. Kaat. Good words, thanks. We are on the same page - last time I flew a Cessna (was a 150 I think :) was in 1981. And, I was still mesmerized by it! :)
Loved that Piper Arrow - FAST! (I used that for the "Complex Aircraft" portion, of the Commercial.) Passed the written test, didn't take the check ride - didn't have the confidence, I guess. Hesitant sometimes.
Just a quick note on the 447's EGT at mid range (probably already are aware of this)
That C clip in a groove on the Jet Needle really will straighten out that mid range EGT. Depends if it is Summer or Winter as to where it really should go.
Winter - air molecules CLOSE together - "thick air" - need a little more fuel to mix with that air. Summer, the opposite - air molecules far apart - "thin air" - need less fuel to mix.
If your carb/s is/are running lean, in that mid range, you will have a high EGT. Just too much air and not enough fuel.
It took me a long time to figure all of that out, and be able to "easily" move that C Clip on that Jet Needle. I never changed any Jets, ever, and was able to have the EGT where I wanted it. One note on EGT: I always read that the EGT should be around 1100 on Take Off - NO way, to much air through the engine - will cool it. I always liked to see around 1050 to 1100 in cruise. Seems high, but it's right.
900 is too low.
Hope the Sonex "happens" for you. Is a really nice airplane. My friend is BIG, so his "two seater" is actually only a "One Seater."!! :)
Thanks, m. donavon, florida