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Questions about buying a used Kolb

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mike_sherwood(at)base36.c
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:23 am Post subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

Hello gang,



I am very interested in buying a used fixed-wing ultralight, but have numerous questions. I'd love to lean on some of your expertise. 

** About me **

I'm an avid free flight and powered paraglider pilot. I'm an instructor for the USPPA (US Powered Paragliding Association). Ten years ago, I came close to my private pilot license but bailed for personal reasons before finishing. 

  



I have a couple friends that recently acquired some Phantoms and another that is flying a gyrocopter now. I need something that has more airspeed than my paraglider. I feel that I'd really like to have two seats (thought most my flying will be solo). My desire for 2 seats is based upon having so many solo hours already in my time paragliding. I'd also like to be able to trailer the aircraft. With these criteria, I've arrived at the Firestar II, the Slingshot, and possibly the Mark III. I feel that both the Firestar II and Slingshot will feel great solo, and allow me to grab a friend on occasion. 

  



** Questions **

Choice of aircraft? Given my criteria above, do you agree? If so, should I include other aircraft in this search as well? 

When purchasing used, what are the main criteria to examine to ascertain condition? If the aircraft flies okay, are there other quick tests that I can do to the motor to make sure it's not a lemon?

  



TTAF hours -- I see a lot of used aircraft between 100-400 hours. Is there a TTAF number where one should start to be wary?

Skin -- How frequently does one need to reskin a Kolb? I see a lot of aircraft from the late 1990s -- will these need reskinning soon?

  



Maintenance intervals -- Are there well known maintenance intervals that get expensive (skin, motor rebuild, etc?)

 

Trailer -- Does a Firestar II/Slingshot fit nicely in an "ordinary" enclosed 24ft trailer? Are there specs you can share me for a trailer that works? The propeller seems high enough that it might be awkward. I've seen custom trailers too... making me wonder if an 'ordinary' trailer simply isn't the right shape.

  



Transport -- Are there creative ways of moving these aircraft around the country? I live in Maine and many of the aircraft I've seen would require me to drive 50+ hours. Is it common/possible/cost-effective to ship by rail or semi-truck?  

  



Thanks in advance for the help and advice!

Mike

 

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ThermalHunter

Joined: 13 Dec 2012
Posts: 9
Location: Cleveland, TN

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:51 pm Post subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

ref: are there other quick tests that I can do to the motor to make sure it's not a lemon?

 



 ...do a compression test!! Should be between 90-120. 

 



    

From: Mike Sherwood <mike_sherwood(at)base36.com>

To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com 

Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 3:22 PM

Subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

 Hello gang, 



 I am very interested in buying a used fixed-wing ultralight, but have numerous questions. I'd love to lean on some of your expertise. 

 



 ** About me **

 I'm an avid free flight and powered paraglider pilot. I'm an instructor for the USPPA (US Powered Paragliding Association). Ten years ago, I came close to my private pilot license but bailed for personal reasons before finishing. 

 



 I have a couple friends that recently acquired some Phantoms and another that is flying a gyrocopter now. I need something that has more airspeed than my paraglider. I feel that I'd really like to have two seats (thought most my flying will be solo). My desire for 2 seats is based upon having so many solo hours already in my time paragliding. I'd also like to be able to trailer the aircraft. With these criteria, I've arrived at the Firestar II, the Slingshot, and possibly the Mark III. I feel that both the Firestar II and Slingshot will feel great solo, and allow me to grab a friend on occasion. 

 



 ** Questions **

 



 Choice of aircraft? Given my criteria above, do you agree? If so, should I include other aircraft in this search as well? 

 



 When purchasing used, what are the main criteria to examine to ascertain condition? If the aircraft flies okay, are there other quick tests that I can do to the motor to make sure it's not a lemon?

 



 TTAF hours -- I see a lot of used aircraft between 100-400 hours. Is there a TTAF number where one should start to be wary?

 



 Skin -- How frequently does one need to reskin a Kolb? I see a lot of aircraft from the late 1990s -- will these need reskinning soon?

 



 Maintenance intervals -- Are there well known maintenance intervals that get expensive (skin, motor rebuild, etc?)

  

 Trailer -- Does a Firestar II/Slingshot fit nicely in an "ordinary" enclosed 24ft trailer? Are there specs you can share me for a trailer that works? The propeller seems high enough that it might be awkward. I've seen custom trailers too... making me wonder if an 'ordinary' trailer simply isn't the right shape.

 



 Transport -- Are there creative ways of moving these aircraft around the country? I live in Maine and many of the aircraft I've seen would require me to drive 50+ hours. Is it common/possible/cost-effective to ship by rail or semi-truck?  

 



 Thanks in advance for the help and advice!

  Mike



[quote]



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et=_blank>http://forums.matronics.com/

llow target=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution



[b]

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Robert G

elleryweld(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:03 pm Post subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

Mike give me a call sometime i have a couple kolbs i also live in Maine 207-991-4580

Ellery Batchelder Jr.



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Dana

Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

Hi Mike, another ppger here... I still love PPG but actually being able to GO somewhere is nice, too!



 I'm flying a single seat Ultrastar but I can understand the desire for a second seat.  Would be nice to have more room for camping gear, too.  I don't think you can carry a very big friend in a FSII, though.



 Wing and tail fabric is mainly degraded by UV exposure.  Since nearly all Kolbs are stored indoors, the fabric should last a long time.  You can do a punch test with a fabric tester to determine whether it's still good.  A recover job is fairly pricey, but the main thing is labor, it's tedious.



 Engine, Rotax recommends certain maintenance intervals but since these are experimental aircraft, many people ignore them and have no trouble.  I've never owned a Rotax, though, so others are more qualified to respond.



 Trailer... lots of variety here.  I don't know the exact dimensions, but most are custom.  An assortment are described here:  <http://www.oh2fly.net/Main_trailer_kolb.htm>  The important thing is that the boom needs to be properly supported when the wings are folded.  Often, Kolbs for sale will come with the trailer... mine did.



 Transport... if it comes with the trailer, trailer it home if driving that far is an option.  I suppose you could flatbed the trailer if you don't want to tow it that far yourself.  If no custom trailer (boom support etc.), you need to pack it very carefully to avoid damage.  Best is to simply fly it home if possible.



 Dana



 

 At 03:22 PM 3/26/2013, Mike Sherwood wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  Hello gang,



 I am very interested in buying a used fixed-wing ultralight, but have numerous questions. I'd love to lean on some of your expertise.  



 ** About me **

 I'm an avid free flight and powered paraglider pilot. I'm an instructor for the USPPA (US Powered Paragliding Association). Ten years ago, I came close to my private pilot license but bailed for personal reasons before finishing. 

 

 I have a couple friends that recently acquired some Phantoms and another that is flying a gyrocopter now. I need something that has more airspeed than my paraglider. I feel that I'd really like to have two seats (thought most my flying will be solo). My desire for 2 seats is based upon having so many solo hours already in my time paragliding. I'd also like to be able to trailer the aircraft. With these criteria, I've arrived at the Firestar II, the Slingshot, and possibly the Mark III. I feel that both the Firestar II and Slingshot will feel great solo, and allow me to grab a friend on occasion. 



 ** Questions **



 Choice of aircraft? Given my criteria above, do you agree? If so, should I include other aircraft in this search as well? 



 When purchasing used, what are the main criteria to examine to ascertain condition? If the aircraft flies okay, are there other quick tests that I can do to the motor to make sure it's not a lemon?



 TTAF hours -- I see a lot of used aircraft between 100-400 hours. Is there a TTAF number where one should start to be wary?



 Skin -- How frequently does one need to reskin a Kolb? I see a lot of aircraft from the late 1990s -- will these need reskinning  soon?



 Maintenance intervals -- Are there well known maintenance intervals that get expensive (skin, motor rebuild, etc?)

  

 Trailer -- Does a Firestar II/Slingshot fit nicely in an "ordinary" enclosed 24ft trailer? Are there specs you can share me for a trailer that works? The propeller seems high enough that it might be awkward. I've seen custom trailers too... making me wonder if an 'ordinary' trailer simply isn't the right shape.



 Transport -- Are there creative ways of moving these aircraft around the country? I live in Maine and many of the aircraft I've seen would require me to drive 50+ hours. Is it common/possible/cost-effective to ship by rail or semi-truck?  



 Thanks in advance for the help and advice!



 Mike



 

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 It did what? Well, it's not supposed to do that.    

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Dennis Thate

Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Questions about buying a used Kolb

If you post a Hotmail or g-mail address.. you will get more responses privately then from just the forum.  Many very helpful Kolb Pilots just don't like to post publicly.

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_________________
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern

jimd4414(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  Thanks.

  

 If anyone can help me with my username and password please email me at: jimd4414(at)hotmail.com (jimd4414(at)hotmail.com) .

 The one I thought it was doesn't work.

 Thanks

 [quote]   ---

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pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:42 am Post subject: Questions about buying a used Kolb

If you sometimes need 2 seats the answer is made  for you. A Mk 3. You can`t put a `sometime` seat in a solo  machine..

  

 If you want to `go somewhere`.Mark 3 is  fine. You won`t get there quickly but you will get there. In a Mark 3 you  can always put 20 or even 40 extra litres of fuel on the passengers seat in  jerry cans.

 There is plenty of room for soft stuff.Sleeping  bags etc in the nose.

 Ask John H. Of course he carries about 2 tons of  gear hun g in a hammock between the wheels but there is no need to go that  far.

  

  are there other quick tests that I can do to the motor to make sure it's  not a lemon?>>

  

 Don`t you guys have to keep an engine  log  book? Or even keep one for your own records.?

 Mine shows hours run. Any mods. Maintenance.What I  did to the engine at the annual etc

 There is also a log book for the airframe. I put a  note of adjustments, changes of trim etc.Scrapes, hangar rash touch ups  patches..New instruments etc.

  

 These Log Books go with the plane on change of  ownership.

  

 They are of course separate from my personal log  which has . Descriptions of flights. photos etc.Crazy Horse` Mustang at  Kissimmee, Stearman at Key West, T6 or a Texan  at North Island New  Zealand, .A Norseman on floats in Sydney Harbour Australia, A weight shift over  Victoria Falls, Africa.  Jet Provost Trainer at Kemble UK. Buccaneer  Amphibian at Lake Wales, L-39 Delphin Jet at Marathon in the Keys  etc.

  

 Now that I am grounded my old logs are invaluable.  Even my old Gliding log Books from 1960 onwards remind me of a particular  flight, where I landed out, how high or how long the flight was.

  

 Good luck

  

 Pat



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