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johngilpin

Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Location: 004

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:06 am Post subject: Trailaplane

Gday All,



I went to Oshkosh this year, and the highlight for me was a neat FireFly in the Red Barn area.  I fell in love at first and second and further visits.  Couldn't ever connect with the owner... 

    

To introduce myself, I live in Australia, and do a lot of x-country touring by air, in a two-place Savannah with a 100hp 912S these days, but earlier in a single-seat Spectrum Beaver with 447, 1000hrs in each of them.  But I'm getting a bit tired of living under the wing in a pup tent.  That's all fine when I'm moving every day and the weather is good, but hunkered down in a little tent for several days when bad weather sets in gets trying.  And the fact that airfields are mostly a couple of miles or more from town, has me wishing for real wheels, even tho I can now carry a bicycle in the Savannah.  So the dream now is a folding ultralight that I can tow behind an RV, and fly locally to see the sights when the weather is right, and have wheels and a comfortable camp the rest of the time.  So of course the FireFly fits into this dream exactly!  The dream has now extended to touring the USA the same way - find a FireFly with trailer and an RV, and go wherever.....  I have friends in Texas, Mississippi, Minnesota, Utah and Arizona, so could leave the rig between visits, and return whenever the season and funds suit.  It'll be a couple of years to be free of ties that bind here, so not ready for Gene's aircraft yet, but some day would hope to find another similar.....  

   



My Australian ultralight license isn't recognized over there, so I can't go to a FireStar in the Experimental category without a PPL.  Even then, I think it would be a lot less complicated to stay under the radar in 103 category??  Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to fly 103??  I'd be hunting out quiet, little-used airstrips away from 'heavy metal' and all the 'attitude'.   

   



I notice that Gene removes the wings and secures them to the sides of the trailer.  Is this for reasons of keeping road rash from wearing at the structural mounts, or for overall length, or whatever??  Seems that if you could leave the wings on the FireFly and use a two-blade prop, you could make a trailer that would be very slim and compact and easy to tow.....  

 



I've been impressed by the performance of Kolbs ever since Sun'nFun 1990.  But there are very few Kolbs in Aus.  A couple of Mark 3's, but that's about it.  Our local regulations for Amateur Built Category allow two seats and MTOW of 544kg (1200lb) so that easily allows a FireStar here. I understand that a few two-seat tandem FireStars were built, but can't find out more about them - any links or info appreciated.  Was the cockpit extended a bit??  Looks like that would be easy enough, and I have the engineering experience to do that and to correct W&B.  Don't need dual controls, just enough room to load a pax for short flights, sort of like a pillion on a motorcycle, put the pax out of the way where they belong.....  Photography is important to me so I want excellent visibility both sides.

   



Are there any snags that I haven't considered that anyone can see in this dream??

How come more aren't using these aircraft that way, or don't we hear about it??

Any comments most welcome.

 



To come along on some of the trips I've done, have a look at the photos at http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12

 



Cheers,

John Gilpin

  [quote][b]

David d.

Joined: 04 Jul 2011
Posts: 60
Location: Fitzgerald Ga.

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Trailaplane

G'day John,



That set up of Gene's is rather interesting. But I have only seen the pictures that you have seen. 

One thing to keep in mind when towing an airplane in a trailer, is the shock load of hitting a bump or pot hole. Think of it as G. forces.  They don't last long but can do damage (often unseen) to the planes structure. Tandem axles help a lot, as well as slowing down.



There was a set up I saw a while back of a person that took a RV type travel trailer and converted it into a  hauler for his plane and also kept most of the living quarters.

There are also lots of trailers over here called toy haulers. Usually living quarters up front and a rear door where "toys" can be pulled up inside. 

As to length they come in all sizes. Most would be too short for a kolb, but not all.  and you would need to decide if you want to live aboard with the plane or leave it outside in the weather. Length and arrangement of living quarter would determine this.  Also whether there is a madam or not aboard. They require a lot of space.

   



David d.

rlaird

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Houston

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:33 am Post subject: Trailaplane

John --



Responding specifically to your comments about "hunting" for airports, it's very doable.  I've flown ULs all over the country... the legs are shorter of course, but still very doable.  Yes, you do have to avoid any airport with B or C regulations, and some D, but overall that, again, isn't difficult.  There are plenty of small airports with fuel, away from the larger airports, in most parts of the country.

 



There is no requirement that the UL pilot be a US citizen.  http://www.usua.org/Rules/faa103.htm

IMO, keeping the wings attached (but very well supported and cushioned) isn't a problem IF (and it's a BIG "IF") the trailer you have has the right set of springs on it.... very light springs.  Most trailers will have heavy-duty springs to deal with a lot of weight, but since you'll be carrying extremely light cargo, having matching springs is critical.  If you can't get the right trailer, then removing the wings would be best.  And, as mentioned, dual axles helps a lot, not just on potholes, but in case you get a blown tire.

 



What you're looking at doing isn't done much for a few reasons... finding the right trailer is difficult; hauling a 24-foot trailer around can be a pain; unloading, setting up the wings, flying, breaking down the wing, reloading... that can be onerous unless you're going to set it up for several days and keep it set up for multi-day flying.  It's doable, though, and I certainly can recommend it, as the benefits would be well worth it.

 



  -- Robert





On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 4:03 AM, JC Gilpin <j.gilpin(at)bigpond.com (j.gilpin(at)bigpond.com)> wrote:

 [quote]Gday All,



I went to Oshkosh this year, and the highlight for me was a neat FireFly in the Red Barn area.  I fell in love at first and second and further visits.  Couldn't ever connect with the owner.... 

     

To introduce myself, I live in Australia, and do a lot of x-country touring by air, in a two-place Savannah with a 100hp 912S these days, but earlier in a single-seat Spectrum Beaver with 447, 1000hrs in each of them.  But I'm getting a bit tired of living under the wing in a pup tent.  That's all fine when I'm moving every day and the weather is good, but hunkered down in a little tent for several days when bad weather sets in gets trying.  And the fact that airfields are mostly a couple of miles or more from town, has me wishing for real wheels, even tho I can now carry a bicycle in the Savannah.  So the dream now is a folding ultralight that I can tow behind an RV, and fly locally to see the sights when the weather is right, and have wheels and a comfortable camp the rest of the time.  So of course the FireFly fits into this dream exactly!  The dream has now extended to touring the USA the same way - find a FireFly with trailer and an RV, and go wherever.....  I have friends in Texas, Mississippi, Minnesota, Utah and Arizona, so could leave the rig between visits, and return whenever the season and funds suit.  It'll be a couple of years to be free of ties that bind here, so not ready for Gene's aircraft yet, but some day would hope to find another similar.....  

    



My Australian ultralight license isn't recognized over there, so I can't go to a FireStar in the Experimental category without a PPL.  Even then, I think it would be a lot less complicated to stay under the radar in 103 category??  Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to fly 103??  I'd be hunting out quiet, little-used airstrips away from 'heavy metal' and all the 'attitude'.   

    



I notice that Gene removes the wings and secures them to the sides of the trailer.  Is this for reasons of keeping road rash from wearing at the structural mounts, or for overall length, or whatever??  Seems that if you could leave the wings on the FireFly and use a two-blade prop, you could make a trailer that would be very slim and compact and easy to tow.....  

  



I've been impressed by the performance of Kolbs ever since Sun'nFun 1990.  But there are very few Kolbs in Aus.  A couple of Mark 3's, but that's about it.  Our local regulations for Amateur Built Category allow two seats and MTOW of 544kg (1200lb) so that easily allows a FireStar here. I understand that a few two-seat tandem FireStars were built, but can't find out more about them - any links or info appreciated.  Was the cockpit extended a bit??  Looks like that would be easy enough, and I have the engineering experience to do that and to correct W&B.  Don't need dual controls, just enough room to load a pax for short flights, sort of like a pillion on a motorcycle, put the pax out of the way where they belong.....  Photography is important to me so I want excellent visibility both sides.

    



Are there any snags that I haven't considered that anyone can see in this dream??

How come more aren't using these aircraft that way, or don't we hear about it??

Any comments most welcome.

  



To come along on some of the trips I've done, have a look at the photos at http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12

 



Cheers,

John Gilpin

   	  Quote: 	
		  



get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
[b]

_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Laird
formerly: MkIIIc w/ 912ULS & Gyrobee
current: Autogyro Cavalon w/ 914ULS
Houston, TX area
http://www.Texas-Flyer.com

neilsenrm(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:00 am Post subject: Trailaplane

John



I built a custom trailer for my Kolb MKIIIC that is light and easy to pull. I have pulled the plane over 5,000 miles with no damage to the plane. The key is light trailer springs and support the wings where they attach to the plane. Check out a web site that George Alexander put together for my trailer and look at a bunch of other Kolb trailers. http://oh2fly.net/RickN_MKIII_Trailer.htm

 



It takes me well over an hour to unload the plane from the trailer and get it ready to fly. I now pack it up once a year for winter storage and it is not fun. 

Rick Neilsen

 Redrive VW Powered MKIIIC



On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 10:31 AM, Robert Laird <rlaird(at)cavediver.com (rlaird(at)cavediver.com)> wrote:

[quote] John --



Responding specifically to your comments about "hunting" for airports, it's very doable.  I've flown ULs all over the country... the legs are shorter of course, but still very doable.  Yes, you do have to avoid any airport with B or C regulations, and some D, but overall that, again, isn't difficult.  There are plenty of small airports with fuel, away from the larger airports, in most parts of the country.

  



There is no requirement that the UL pilot be a US citizen.  http://www.usua.org/Rules/faa103.htm

IMO, keeping the wings attached (but very well supported and cushioned) isn't a problem IF (and it's a BIG "IF") the trailer you have has the right set of springs on it.... very light springs.  Most trailers will have heavy-duty springs to deal with a lot of weight, but since you'll be carrying extremely light cargo, having matching springs is critical.  If you can't get the right trailer, then removing the wings would be best.  And, as mentioned, dual axles helps a lot, not just on potholes, but in case you get a blown tire.

  



What you're looking at doing isn't done much for a few reasons... finding the right trailer is difficult; hauling a 24-foot trailer around can be a pain; unloading, setting up the wings, flying, breaking down the wing, reloading... that can be onerous unless you're going to set it up for several days and keep it set up for multi-day flying.  It's doable, though, and I certainly can recommend it, as the benefits would be well worth it.

  



  -- Robert





On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 4:03 AM, JC Gilpin <j.gilpin(at)bigpond.com (j.gilpin(at)bigpond.com)> wrote:

  

 	  Quote: 	
		  Gday All,



I went to Oshkosh this year, and the highlight for me was a neat FireFly in the Red Barn area.  I fell in love at first and second and further visits.  Couldn't ever connect with the owner.... 

      

To introduce myself, I live in Australia, and do a lot of x-country touring by air, in a two-place Savannah with a 100hp 912S these days, but earlier in a single-seat Spectrum Beaver with 447, 1000hrs in each of them.  But I'm getting a bit tired of living under the wing in a pup tent.  That's all fine when I'm moving every day and the weather is good, but hunkered down in a little tent for several days when bad weather sets in gets trying.  And the fact that airfields are mostly a couple of miles or more from town, has me wishing for real wheels, even tho I can now carry a bicycle in the Savannah.  So the dream now is a folding ultralight that I can tow behind an RV, and fly locally to see the sights when the weather is right, and have wheels and a comfortable camp the rest of the time.  So of course the FireFly fits into this dream exactly!  The dream has now extended to touring the USA the same way - find a FireFly with trailer and an RV, and go wherever.....  I have friends in Texas, Mississippi, Minnesota, Utah and Arizona, so could leave the rig between visits, and return whenever the season and funds suit.  It'll be a couple of years to be free of ties that bind here, so not ready for Gene's aircraft yet, but some day would hope to find another similar.....  

     



My Australian ultralight license isn't recognized over there, so I can't go to a FireStar in the Experimental category without a PPL.  Even then, I think it would be a lot less complicated to stay under the radar in 103 category??  Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to fly 103??  I'd be hunting out quiet, little-used airstrips away from 'heavy metal' and all the 'attitude'.   

     



I notice that Gene removes the wings and secures them to the sides of the trailer.  Is this for reasons of keeping road rash from wearing at the structural mounts, or for overall length, or whatever??  Seems that if you could leave the wings on the FireFly and use a two-blade prop, you could make a trailer that would be very slim and compact and easy to tow.....  

   



I've been impressed by the performance of Kolbs ever since Sun'nFun 1990.  But there are very few Kolbs in Aus.  A couple of Mark 3's, but that's about it.  Our local regulations for Amateur Built Category allow two seats and MTOW of 544kg (1200lb) so that easily allows a FireStar here. I understand that a few two-seat tandem FireStars were built, but can't find out more about them - any links or info appreciated.  Was the cockpit extended a bit??  Looks like that would be easy enough, and I have the engineering experience to do that and to correct W&B.  Don't need dual controls, just enough room to load a pax for short flights, sort of like a pillion on a motorcycle, put the pax out of the way where they belong.....  Photography is important to me so I want excellent visibility both sides.

     



Are there any snags that I haven't considered that anyone can see in this dream??

How come more aren't using these aircraft that way, or don't we hear about it??

Any comments most welcome.

   



To come along on some of the trips I've done, have a look at the photos at http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12

 



Cheers,

John Gilpin

  

 	  Quote: 	
		  



get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
	




   	  Quote: 	
		  



get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	




[b]

rickofudall

Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:08 am Post subject: Trailaplane

John, As described here isolating the aircraft from g loads caused by road hazards is vital, however, you can also do it inside the trailer as well as outside with spring selection. I made chocks for my Mk III main gear when I brought her home and used furniture foam pads with a plywood plate between wheel and foam to spread the load. Cheap and worked great. If I were setting up for the long haul I would do both. Soft springs and some kind of shock isolation on the inside, too.

Rick Girard



On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 9:31 AM, Robert Laird <rlaird(at)cavediver.com (rlaird(at)cavediver.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  John --



Responding specifically to your comments about "hunting" for airports, it's very doable.  I've flown ULs all over the country... the legs are shorter of course, but still very doable.  Yes, you do have to avoid any airport with B or C regulations, and some D, but overall that, again, isn't difficult.  There are plenty of small airports with fuel, away from the larger airports, in most parts of the country.

  



There is no requirement that the UL pilot be a US citizen.  http://www.usua.org/Rules/faa103.htm

IMO, keeping the wings attached (but very well supported and cushioned) isn't a problem IF (and it's a BIG "IF") the trailer you have has the right set of springs on it.... very light springs.  Most trailers will have heavy-duty springs to deal with a lot of weight, but since you'll be carrying extremely light cargo, having matching springs is critical.  If you can't get the right trailer, then removing the wings would be best.  And, as mentioned, dual axles helps a lot, not just on potholes, but in case you get a blown tire.

  



What you're looking at doing isn't done much for a few reasons... finding the right trailer is difficult; hauling a 24-foot trailer around can be a pain; unloading, setting up the wings, flying, breaking down the wing, reloading... that can be onerous unless you're going to set it up for several days and keep it set up for multi-day flying.  It's doable, though, and I certainly can recommend it, as the benefits would be well worth it.

  



  -- Robert





On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 4:03 AM, JC Gilpin <j.gilpin(at)bigpond.com (j.gilpin(at)bigpond.com)> wrote:

   	  Quote: 	
		  Gday All,



I went to Oshkosh this year, and the highlight for me was a neat FireFly in the Red Barn area.  I fell in love at first and second and further visits.  Couldn't ever connect with the owner.... 

      

To introduce myself, I live in Australia, and do a lot of x-country touring by air, in a two-place Savannah with a 100hp 912S these days, but earlier in a single-seat Spectrum Beaver with 447, 1000hrs in each of them.  But I'm getting a bit tired of living under the wing in a pup tent.  That's all fine when I'm moving every day and the weather is good, but hunkered down in a little tent for several days when bad weather sets in gets trying.  And the fact that airfields are mostly a couple of miles or more from town, has me wishing for real wheels, even tho I can now carry a bicycle in the Savannah.  So the dream now is a folding ultralight that I can tow behind an RV, and fly locally to see the sights when the weather is right, and have wheels and a comfortable camp the rest of the time.  So of course the FireFly fits into this dream exactly!  The dream has now extended to touring the USA the same way - find a FireFly with trailer and an RV, and go wherever.....  I have friends in Texas, Mississippi, Minnesota, Utah and Arizona, so could leave the rig between visits, and return whenever the season and funds suit.  It'll be a couple of years to be free of ties that bind here, so not ready for Gene's aircraft yet, but some day would hope to find another similar.....  

     



My Australian ultralight license isn't recognized over there, so I can't go to a FireStar in the Experimental category without a PPL.  Even then, I think it would be a lot less complicated to stay under the radar in 103 category??  Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to fly 103??  I'd be hunting out quiet, little-used airstrips away from 'heavy metal' and all the 'attitude'.   

     



I notice that Gene removes the wings and secures them to the sides of the trailer.  Is this for reasons of keeping road rash from wearing at the structural mounts, or for overall length, or whatever??  Seems that if you could leave the wings on the FireFly and use a two-blade prop, you could make a trailer that would be very slim and compact and easy to tow.....  

   



I've been impressed by the performance of Kolbs ever since Sun'nFun 1990.  But there are very few Kolbs in Aus.  A couple of Mark 3's, but that's about it.  Our local regulations for Amateur Built Category allow two seats and MTOW of 544kg (1200lb) so that easily allows a FireStar here. I understand that a few two-seat tandem FireStars were built, but can't find out more about them - any links or info appreciated.  Was the cockpit extended a bit??  Looks like that would be easy enough, and I have the engineering experience to do that and to correct W&B.  Don't need dual controls, just enough room to load a pax for short flights, sort of like a pillion on a motorcycle, put the pax out of the way where they belong.....  Photography is important to me so I want excellent visibility both sides.

     



Are there any snags that I haven't considered that anyone can see in this dream??

How come more aren't using these aircraft that way, or don't we hear about it??

Any comments most welcome.

   



To come along on some of the trips I've done, have a look at the photos at http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12

 



Cheers,

John Gilpin

   	  Quote: 	
		  



get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	




get="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
	




-- 

Zulu Delta

Mk IIIC

Thanks, Homer GBYM

It isn't necessary to have relatives in Kansas City in order to be unhappy.

   - Groucho Marx



 



  [quote][b]

_________________
The smallest miracle right in front of you is enough to make you happy....

byoungplumbing(at)gmail.c
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:34 am Post subject: Trailaplane

IMO, keeping the wings attached (but very well supported and cushioned)  isn't a problem IF (and it's a BIG "IF") the trailer you have has the right set  of springs on it.... very light springs.

  

 Robert

  

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  

 if the trailer springs are too heavy,,,  you  can still make it work but you have to add  suspended ,lightly  sprung,  anchor points  on the trailer bed.   example,,,    if you hinge a board to the trailer  decking,   and build a cradle for the wheels at the far end of the  hinged board,,,  then install an inner tube under the  cradle,,     

  

 boyd young

  



   [quote][b]

Gene Ledbetter

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:00 pm Post subject: Trailaplane

Hey Guys,



Since that's my trailer you folks are referring to, I thought I might also comment.  My Firefly first flew in November 2000 and that was the first airplane that I soloed.  FAA had refused a medical so Firefly was only alternate for me.  I bought it with the idea of trailering it 800 miles to Florida every winter and didn't want it to have travel damage so I built the hangers for the wings on the side of the trailer.  I'll report that it went to Florida 5 times and suffered no damage.  My plan worked.  I stopped taking it to Florida when I started taking my new wife to Florida in 2005.   Nuff said.  



I had a hangar for awhile but had to find a new location for the Firefly closer to my new home in 2004 and found one 15 minutes away but no hangar.  So I have been flying out of my trailer since 2004.  If I were only going to move the Firefly a few miles, I probably wouldn't remove the wings but I would be very careful in my driving and would make sure the wings had good support.



My Firefly sells tomorrow and I have had several quick responses from my Barnstormer ad.  Obviously a good place to list your Kolb.



Gene

_________________
Gene D.
2000 Firefly
330 Hours
New 447
Brakes, Ivo

Dana

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

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:37 am Post subject: Trailaplane

At 05:03 AM 8/22/2011, JC Gilpin wrote:



  	  Quote: 	
		  My Australian ultralight license isn't recognized over there, so I can't go to a FireStar in the Experimental category without a PPL.  Even then, I think it would be a lot less complicated to stay under the radar in 103 category??  Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to fly 103??  I'd be hunting out quiet, little-used airstrips away from 'heavy metal' and all the 'attitude'.   	


 Anybody can fly Part 103, no citizenship or residency required.



  	  Quote: 	
		  I notice that Gene removes the wings and secures them to the sides of the trailer.  Is this for reasons of keeping road rash from wearing at the structural mounts, or for overall length, or whatever??  Seems that if you could leave the wings on the FireFly and use a two-blade prop, you could make a trailer that would be very slim and compact and easy to tow.....  	


 Trailering long distances can beat on the plane. so you need to support it as well as possible.  If you keep the wings on the plane, the fuselage must be supported exactly at the folded wing support point.



  	  Quote: 	
		  I've been impressed by the performance of Kolbs ever since Sun'nFun 1990.  But there are very few Kolbs in Aus.  A couple of Mark 3's, but that's about it.  Our local regulations for Amateur Built Category allow two seats and MTOW of 544kg (1200lb) so that easily allows a FireStar here. I understand that a few two-seat tandem FireStars were built, but can't find out more about them - any links or info appreciated. 	


 The Firestar II is the two seat tandem version; quite a few of them were built.  This led to the Kolbra and Slingshot, but only the Firefly (and earlier Ultrastar and Flyer) are 103 legal ultralights.



 -Dana



 

 --

 Please return stewardess to original upright position.   

    [quote][b]

johngilpin

Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Location: 004

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Trailaplane

Gday again,



The response from this posting has been really good, with several excellent direct emails and new friendships developed.



A couple of those easily convinced me that it would be preferable to run a 912 over the country that I wish to fly.  So I went in that direction, and found where I could get Sport Pilot training in my own aircraft at really reasonable cost.  But then today I thought I'd better check on aircraft registration, and got a shock when it seems that only American citizens can register an aircraft there! 

http://www.faa-aircraft-certification.com/aircraft-registration.html

Do I have that correct, or am I missing something here??

I hope someone can tell me I've got that wrong........



Maybe I'll have to go under the radar in a 103 FireFly after all.  Which actually has an appeal of it's own - real freedom from bureaucrats.  Some of that wild country that I want to see would feel better with a 912, but then I did fly 1000hrs with a 447 that never let me down...



Tailwinds Always,

JG



[quote="johngilpin"]Gday All,



I went to Oshkosh this year, and the highlight for me was a neat FireFly in the Red Barn area. ï¿½I fell in love at first and second and further visits. ï¿½Couldn't ever connect with the owner...ï¿½

   ï¿½

To introduce myself, I live in Australia, and do a lot of x-country touring by air, in a two-place Savannah with a 100hp 912S these days, but earlier in a single-seat Spectrum Beaver with 447, 1000hrs in each of them. ï¿½But I'm getting a bit tired of living under the wing in a pup tent. ï¿½That's all fine when I'm moving every day and the weather is good, but hunkered down in a little tent for several days when bad weather sets in gets trying. ï¿½And the fact that airfields are mostly a couple of miles or more from town, has me wishing for real wheels, even tho I can now carry a bicycle in the Savannah. ï¿½So the dream now is a folding ultralight that I can tow behind an RV, and fly locally to see the sights when the weather is right, and have wheels and a comfortable camp the rest of the time. ï¿½So of course the FireFly fits into this dream exactly! ï¿½The dream has now extended to touring the USA the same way - find a FireFly with trailer and an RV, and go wherever..... ï¿½I have friends in Texas, Mississippi, Minnesota, Utah and Arizona, so could leave the rig between visits, and return whenever the season and funds suit. ï¿½It'll be a couple of years to be free of ties that bind here, so not ready for Gene's aircraft yet, but some day would hope to find another similar..... ï¿½

   



My Australian ultralight license isn't recognized over there, so I can't go to a FireStar in the Experimental category without a PPL. ï¿½Even then, I think it would be a lot less complicated to stay under the radar in 103 category?? ï¿½Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to fly 103?? ï¿½I'd be hunting out quiet, little-used airstrips away from 'heavy metal' and all the 'attitude'. ï¿½ï¿½

   



I notice that Gene removes the wings and secures them to the sides of the trailer. ï¿½Is this for reasons of keeping road rash from wearing at the structural mounts, or for overall length, or whatever?? ï¿½Seems that if you could leave the wings on the FireFly and use a two-blade prop, you could make a trailer that would be very slim and compact and easy to tow..... ï¿½

 



I've been impressed by the performance of Kolbs ever since Sun'nFun 1990. ï¿½But there are very few Kolbs in Aus. ï¿½A couple of Mark 3's, but that's about it. ï¿½Our local regulations for Amateur Built Category allow two seats and MTOW of 544kg (1200lb) so that easily allows a FireStar here. I understand that a few two-seat tandem FireStars were built, but can't find out more about them - any links or info appreciated. ï¿½Was the cockpit extended a bit?? ï¿½Looks like that would be easy enough, and I have the engineering experience to do that and to correct W&B. ï¿½Don't need dual controls, just enough room to load a pax for short flights, sort of like a pillion on a motorcycle, put the pax out of the way where they belong..... ï¿½Photography is important to me so I want excellent visibility both sides.

   



Are there any snags that I haven't considered that anyone can see in this dream??

How come more aren't using these aircraft that way, or don't we hear about it??

Any comments most welcome.

 



To come along on some of the trips I've done, have a look at the photos atï¿½http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12

 



Cheers,

John Gilpin

   	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

Dana

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

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:57 am Post subject: Trailaplane

At 05:21 AM 10/6/2011, johngilpin wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		   I thought I'd better check on aircraft registration, and got a shock when it seems that only American citizens can register an aircraft there! 

 http://www.faa-aircraft-certification.com/aircraft-registration.html

 Do I have that correct, or am I missing something here??

 I hope someone can tell me I've got that wrong........ 	


 No, how did you conclude that?  According to the FAA site you linked to, a plane can be registered by a US citizen OR a resident alien OR a corporation.  So if you live in the US, you can register the plane here.



 -Dana

 --

 "I am Bill Gates of Borg. You will be assimilated.  Resistance is fut -GENERAL PROTECTION FAULT in BORG.EXE-"

    [quote][b]

rickofudall

Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:09 am Post subject: Trailaplane

John, My friend Wayne is an Australian citizen who finished his LongEZ while

he was at Boeing in Seattle as part of the Hawker engineering staff working

on a 737 derivative for the Australian military, i.e. he was a resident

alien with a green card (item 2 in the link you provided). He had no trouble

registering his aircraft so he could fly it while he was here, then he

deregistered it and took it home when his assignment at Boeing was finished

_________________
The smallest miracle right in front of you is enough to make you happy....

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:33 pm Post subject: Trailaplane

To come along on some of the trips I've done, have a look at the photos

atï¿½http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12 (http://www.stolspeed.com/id/12)

 



Cheers,

John Gilpin

 

John G/Gang:



Enjoyed a brief look at your web site.  Will spend more time on it when I

get a chance.



A few of us on the Kolb List use our Kolbs for cross country flying and

camping.  It has been a challenge to me to fly cross country since two weeks

after I got my Ultrastar flying in 1984.  Been at it ever since with the

Firestar and now the MKIII.



When you get to the States, please give me a call and come by and visit.

The porch lights on and the doors unlocked.



John Hauck

255 Coosa Rd

Titus, Alabama 36080



334-567-6280/334-315-2621



Looking forward to meeting you.



john h

mkIII

7 miles south of Burns Junction, Oregon

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

johngilpin

Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Location: 004

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 4:11 am Post subject: Trailaplane

But I'm not a citizen or a resident alien or a corporation, I'll be just a visitor for some months.......



But this might be all for the good anyhow.  I'm now back to looking for a FAR 103 machine after all, so can stay under the radar completely.  It's been a busy couple of days researching for alternatives.  I'm still a Canadian citizen, and apparently could visit the US in a Canadian registered Advanced Ultralight, but then I'd need a Canadian Recreational Pilot Permit, SFA, etc, etc.  Don't really want to have to jump thro the hoops and hassle with bureaucrats, and all the cost.......  It was lookin more and more complicated that way, but now it's startin to feel real freedom again this way!   

  



Of course that means running a 2-stroke, but the FireFly that I have my eye on has a current parachute, which makes a last ditch back-up if necessary.  I know the 447 really well, having done 1000hrs in front of one in my little Spectrum Beaver, and it never let me down.  I'm really looking forward to flying a real ultralight again!

 



So I might see you round the back country airstrips some day.

JG 

  [quote][b]

johngilpin

Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Location: 004

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 4:22 am Post subject: Trailaplane

Gday John Hauk,



Yeh I know your trips real well, been watching them for years.

I also used to see a website of a fella from Texas who was always flying big distances.

I'll definitely take you up on a visit.  Looks like I'll be starting from Mississippi so a handy first leg.  

 Can't get loose from here until March but then I'll be hell for leather.....

See ya,

JG

  [quote][b]

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