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Folding wing question

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robpen5557(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:43 am Post subject: Folding wing question

Hello everyone this is my first time to send a question.  I recently discovered Kolb flyers. . . Mainly because I was searching for a plane with folding wings.  Several planes have folding wings but all of Kolb aircraft have them.  So, I wondered if folding them say two or three times a week for many months would wear them out.  If so, how much trouble is it to replace worn parts.  Or do the wings have to be completely redone after so many folds.  I have seen several videos of them folding and unfolding.  I think Kolb flyers have perfected the process and I have seen several people do it all alone.  Which is another reason I like Kolb.  There may be times I would need to do this alone.  How easy is it for one person who is folding or unfolding a wing to twist it and damage it.  While watching the process It seems like a very delicate stage folding and unfolding.  Wind could be a factor?   Are the wings (fittings that are moved during folding) different on the Firefly, Firestar, or Mark III, or are these areas of the wing exactly the same?  Some might think the wing of the Mark III is better, or heavy duty, or different in some way.    I am totally unfamiliar with the Kolb except seeing it in Photos and videos.  So, far I haven’t found anything about it I didn’t like.



Thanks for the invite and all the help. 

Robert

Waskom, Texas

Flying An Aeronca Chief “The Spirit of Haughton” out of Shreveport Downtown Airport (KDTN).  



PS. Never seen a Kolb except in photos.  Would like to see one up close.

 



Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.  Landing is the first!

Ralph B

Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 367
Location: Mound Minnesota

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:13 am Post subject: Re: Folding wing question

I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in my garage during this time and trailered it to a local private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground when trailering because the leading edge is close to the ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help. Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone asking questions, so it would take onger. The Kolbra wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the engine.



It's a little bit of work setting up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools there. I also liked having it close by because it was my baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it from my garage.

_________________
Ralph B

Kolb Kolbra 912uls
N20386
550 hours

robpen5557(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:23 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

WOW,,, THAT IS GREAT...  I would ask is the Kolbra an older model?  Didn’t see anything about it on the current site for Kolb.   Thanks for the input.  So, Firestar is like the mid level plane?   Did you make a custom trailer or just use a regular car hauler type thing?



Robert Lobdell

Waskom, Texas



Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.  Landing is the first!



 	  Quote: 	
		   On Dec 4, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ralph B <rstar447(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in my garage during this time and trailered it to a local private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground when trailering because the leading edge is close to the ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help. Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone asking questions, !

 so it would take onger. The Kolbra wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the engine.

 

 It's a little bit of work setting up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools there. I also liked having it close by because it was my baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it from my garage. 

 

 --------

 Ralph B

 

 Kolb Kolbra 912uls

 N20386

 550 hours

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

zeprep251(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:41 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

a great site to answer your folding and trailering questions is( oh2fly) web pages

 	  Quote: 	
		   On Dec 4, 2017, at 10:14 AM, Ralph B <rstar447(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in my garage during this time and trailered it to a local private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground when trailering because the leading edge is close to the ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help. Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone asking questions, !

 so it would take onger. The Kolbra wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the engine.

 

 It's a little bit of work setting up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools there. I also liked having it close by because it was my baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it from my garage. 

 

 --------

 Ralph B

 

 Kolb Kolbra 912uls

 N20386

 550 hours

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

victorbravo(at)sbcglobal.
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:43 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

Kolns are like gliders, in the fact that they are very lightweight but very long and narrow (when folded). So you can use a single axle, light weight trailer... but the trailer has to be something like 22 or 24 feet long. And it has to be strong (stiff) enough to not flex much.

Ultralight and LSA style airplanes are also NOT built for wind and vibration loads. You might get away with towing the Kolb on its own wheels for a mile or two at slow speed, from your house to a very nearby airport... but longer road trips will beat the heck out of a lot of prts that were designed for flight loads in the air, not washboard woads and potholes. And those abused parts are what you are betting your life on when you fly. It's not a "small concern".

So in my opinion trailering is just fine, and it will save a boat load of money, but you MUST put in a significant amount of thought, care, and concern for the parts of the airplane.

Bill Berle

www.ezflaphandle.com  - safety & performance upgrade for light aircraft

www.grantstar.net           - winning proposals for non-profit and for-profit entities

--------------------------------------------

On Mon, 12/4/17, Robert Lobdell <robpen5557(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: Re: Folding wing question

 To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com

 Date: Monday, December 4, 2017, 1:23 PM

 Lobdell <robpen5557(at)gmail.com>

 WOW,,, THAT IS GREAT...  I would

 ask is the Kolbra an older model?  Didn’t see

 anything about it on the current site for Kolb.  

 Thanks for the input.  So, Firestar is like the mid

 level plane?   Did you make a custom trailer or just

 use a regular car hauler type thing?

 Robert Lobdell

 Waskom, Texas

 Flying is the second greatest thrill

 known to man.  Landing is the first!

 > On Dec 4, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ralph

 B <rstar447(at)gmail.com>

 wrote:

 > 

 > --> Kolb-List message posted

 by: "Ralph B" <rstar447(at)gmail.com>

 > 

 > I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a

 Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and

 would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in

 my garage during this time and trailered it to a local

 private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail

 everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will

 not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept

 the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I

 replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had

 about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful

 of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground

 when trailering because the leading edge is close to the

 ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help.

 Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift

 the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done

 as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to

 set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone

 asking questions!

  , !

 > so it would take onger. The Kolbra

 wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold

 them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the

 engine.

 > 

 > It's a little bit of work setting

 up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free

 hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at

 home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools

 there. I also liked having it close by because it was my

 baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it

 from my garage. 

 > 

 > --------

 > Ralph B

 > 

 > Kolb Kolbra 912uls

 > N20386

 > 550 hours

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > Read this topic online here:

 > 

 > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 The Kolb-List Email Forum -

 Navigator to browse

 List Un/Subscription,

 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ,

      - MATRONICS WEB FORUMS -

 via the Web Forums!

     - NEW MATRONICS LIST WIKI -

 Email List Wiki!

    - List Contribution Web Site -

 support!

     -Matt Dralle, List Admin.

George Alexander

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 245
Location: SW Florida

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Folding wing question

 	  robpen5557(at)gmail.com wrote: 	
		  Hello everyone this is my first time to send a question.  I recently discovered Kolb flyers. . . Mainly because I was searching for a plane with folding wings. 



* * SNIP * *

	




Robert, if you haven't seen it, a section of my web site deals with "Trailering a Kolb".



You can view it at:



http://oh2fly.net/Main_trailer_kolb.htm



Or if you want more "stuff", mostly about Kolb aircraft, come in through the main page at:



http://oh2fly.net

_________________
George Alexander
FS II R503
E-LSA N709FS
http://www.oh2fly.net

rascaljohn

Joined: 02 May 2013
Posts: 23

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:02 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

I'm Also am planning to trailer a fire star       

in an enclosed trailer. So, if traveling long distances will beat the plane up, how would you recommend supporting the plane if not on it's own wheels? Cushioned pads under the wheels...? 

Sent from my iPhone

 	  Quote: 	
		   On Dec 4, 2017, at 1:43 PM, Bill Berle <victorbravo(at)sbcglobal.net> wrote:

 Kolns are like gliders, in the fact that they are very lightweight but very long and narrow (when folded). So you can use a single axle, light weight trailer... but the trailer has to be something like 22 or 24 feet long. And it has to be strong (stiff) enough to not flex much.

 Ultralight and LSA style airplanes are also NOT built for wind and vibration loads. You might get away with towing the Kolb on its own wheels for a mile or two at slow speed, from your house to a very nearby airport... but longer road trips will beat the heck out of a lot of prts that were designed for flight loads in the air, not washboard woads and potholes. And those abused parts are what you are betting your life on when you fly. It's not a "small concern".

 So in my opinion trailering is just fine, and it will save a boat load of money, but you MUST put in a significant amount of thought, care, and concern for the parts of the airplane.

 Bill Berle

 www.ezflaphandle.com  - safety & performance upgrade for light aircraft

 www.grantstar.net           - winning proposals for non-profit and for-profit entities

 --------------------------------------------

 On Mon, 12/4/17, Robert Lobdell <robpen5557(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: Re: Folding wing question

 To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com

 Date: Monday, December 4, 2017, 1:23 PM

 Lobdell <robpen5557(at)gmail.com>

 WOW,,, THAT IS GREAT...  I would

 ask is the Kolbra an older model?  Didn’t see

 anything about it on the current site for Kolb.  

 Thanks for the input.  So, Firestar is like the mid

 level plane?   Did you make a custom trailer or just

 use a regular car hauler type thing?

 Robert Lobdell

 Waskom, Texas

 Flying is the second greatest thrill

 known to man.  Landing is the first!

> On Dec 4, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ralph

 B <rstar447(at)gmail.com>

 wrote:

> 

> --> Kolb-List message posted

 by: "Ralph B" <rstar447(at)gmail.com>

> 

> I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a

 Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and

 would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in

 my garage during this time and trailered it to a local

 private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail

 everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will

 not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept

 the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I

 replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had

 about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful

 of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground

 when trailering because the leading edge is close to the

 ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help.

 Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift

 the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done

 as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to

 set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone

 asking questions!

  , !

> so it would take onger. The Kolbra

 wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold

 them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the

 engine.

> 

> It's a little bit of work setting

 up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free

 hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at

 home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools

 there. I also liked having it close by because it was my

 baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it

 from my garage. 

> 

> --------

> Ralph B

> 

> Kolb Kolbra 912uls

> N20386

> 550 hours

> 

> 

> 

> 

> Read this topic online here:

> 

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

 The Kolb-List Email Forum -

 Navigator to browse

 List Un/Subscription,

 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ,

      - MATRONICS WEB FORUMS -

 via the Web Forums!

     - NEW MATRONICS LIST WIKI -

 Email List Wiki!

    - List Contribution Web Site -

 support!

     -Matt Dralle, List Admin.

John Hauck

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

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:31 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

Kolbs do just fine trailering on main gear.



It is recommended to fabricate a pedestal to carry the tail boom and take the load off the tail wheel and tail wheel strut.



Long distance trailering I removed the wings and secured in cradles on each wall of the trailer.



An enclosed trailer is best for long distances and highway speeds.



Open trailer for local traveling to and from airstrip.



It is hard on the aircraft to tow at highway speeds on an open trailer.



I've towed my Ultrastar, Firestar, and MKIII on the main gear with the tail wheel assembly attached to my tractor.  It is 3 miles from my home to my grass strip.  I did this with wings removed.  Wouldn't want to do that every time I flew.  Always scared to death some idiot was going to run over my airplane on the highway.  Always a nail biter.



Homer Kolb designed folding wings on the Ultrastar and each model thereafter.  It was always a big selling point.



I don't fold unless I have to bring the airplane home to work on it.  Haven't had to do that in many years.  Instead of clevis pins I use AN bolts and nuts to attach wings and flying surfaces.  All fittings have welded bushings.  No slop in attachments.

john h

mkIII

Titus, Alabama



--

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

Ralph B

Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 367
Location: Mound Minnesota

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Folding wing question

 	  robpen5557(at)gmail.com wrote: 	
		  WOW,,, THAT IS GREAT...  I would ask is the Kolbra an older model?  Didn’t see anything about it on the current site for Kolb.   Thanks for the input.  So, Firestar is like the mid level plane?   Did you make a custom trailer or just use a regular car hauler type thing?



Robert Lobdell

Waskom, Texas



Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.  Landing is the first!



 	  Quote: 	
		   On Dec 4, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ralph B <rstar447> wrote: 

 

 I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in my garage during this time and trailered it to a local private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground when trailering because the leading edge is close to the ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help. Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone asking questions, !

 so it would take onger. The Kolbra wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the engine.

 

 It's a little bit of work setting up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools there. I also liked having it close by because it was my baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it from my garage. 

 

 --------

 Ralph B

 

 Kolb Kolbra 912uls

 N20386

 550 hours

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



	
	




The Kolbra is a larger tandem model of the Firestar that accepts larger engines similar to the Rotax 912's. I bought mine ready to fly from a friend.



The Firestar trailer is one of these trailers that can be bought at Home Depot covered with a sheet of plywood. It measures 8'x4' and can be towed with a car. It will tow at highway speeds, but I only had to trailer it short distances. I wouldn't recommend towing on this type of trailer long distances.

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_________________
Ralph B

Kolb Kolbra 912uls
N20386
550 hours

gdhelton(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:38 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

On the other end spectrum. This is the trailer I use for my original Firestar. I’ve use it to move my airplane from California to northern Michigan. The Firestar was stored folded in it for some 28 years. I hanger it now. It’s nice not to have to fold the tail & wings every time I want to go flying. I consider it a luxury. Kolbs are easily folded. Its just 20 minutes that I’d rather send flying.

I use a scissors jack type boom tube pedestal, leading edge pads and it rides on the main wheels. 

I lock the wings together when folded to keep them from bumping into the fuselage. I’ve found that if your going nick up your paint, it will be during loading and unloading. Plenty of tie down straps are also highly recommended. For really long trips I remove the wings and put them in wing racks on the sides of the trailer mounted inside. I hope these pictures aren’t to big for the site. Blue Skies, everyone. 

George H.

1986 Firestar 377 Rotax 

14GDH

gdhelton(at)gmail.com

[quote] On Dec 4, 2017, at 6:17 PM, Ralph B <rstar447(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 robpen5557(at)gmail.com wrote:

> WOW,,, THAT IS GREAT...  I would ask is the Kolbra an older model?  Didn’t see anything about it on the current site for Kolb.   Thanks for the input.  So, Firestar is like the mid level plane?   Did you make a custom trailer or just use a regular car hauler type thing?

> 

> Robert Lobdell

> Waskom, Texas

> 

> Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.  Landing is the first!

> 

> 

>> On Dec 4, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ralph B  wrote: 

>> 

>> I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in my garage during this time and trailered it to a local private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground when trailering because the leading edge is close to the ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help. Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone asking questi!

 ons, !

>> so it would take onger. The Kolbra wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the engine.

>> 

>> It's a little bit of work setting up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools there. I also liked having it close by because it was my baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it from my garage. 

>> 

>> --------

>> Ralph B

>> 

>> Kolb Kolbra 912uls

>> N20386

>> 550 hours

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> Read this topic online here:

>> 

>> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

> 

 The Kolbra is a larger tandem model of the Firestar that accepts larger engines similar to the Rotax 912's. I bought mine ready to fly from a friend.

 The Firestar trailer is one of these trailers that can be bought at Home Depot covered with a sheet of plywood. It measures 8'x4' and can be towed with a car. It will tow at highway speeds, but I only had to trailer it short distances. I wouldn't recommend towing on this type of trailer long distances

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lcottrell

Joined: 29 May 2006
Posts: 1494
Location: Jordan Valley, Or

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:00 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

I stored and towed my firestar in a trailer for more than 10 years. I built a trailer for it before I bought it. I had some faulty answers to the length and made it 22 feet long. Should be 24 at least. If you look on George's site you could see the lift that I made for the boom. When I was going long distances I placed a tire inner tube under the wings, and blew it up to the point that they supported the wings. The wings were pinned to the boom tube at the time.  I never had any problem at all. As for securing the plane in the trailer, I had opposing connect points for the ratchet straps, and pulled the plane bag up against a secure stop that kept the plane wheels from rolling back. Of course the ailerons as well as the front of the wing were secured so that they didn't slop around.



Larry 

On Mon, Dec 4, 2017 at 3:01 PM, John Fitt <jpfitt(at)sbcglobal.net (jpfitt(at)sbcglobal.net)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  --> Kolb-List message posted by: John Fitt <jpfitt(at)sbcglobal.net (jpfitt(at)sbcglobal.net)>

 

 I'm Also am planning to trailer a fire star

 in an enclosed trailer. So, if traveling long distances will beat the plane up, how would you recommend supporting the plane if not on it's own wheels? Cushioned pads under the wheels...?

 

 

 Sent from my iPhone

 

 > On Dec 4, 2017, at 1:43 PM, Bill Berle <victorbravo(at)sbcglobal.net (victorbravo(at)sbcglobal.net)> wrote:

 >

 > --> Kolb-List message posted by: Bill Berle <victorbravo(at)sbcglobal.net (victorbravo(at)sbcglobal.net)>

 >

 > Kolns are like gliders, in the fact that they are very lightweight but very long and narrow (when folded). So you can use a single axle, light weight trailer... but the trailer has to be something like 22 or 24 feet long. And it has to be strong (stiff) enough to not flex much.

 >

 > Ultralight and LSA style airplanes are also NOT built for wind and vibration loads. You might get away with towing the Kolb on its own wheels for a mile or two at slow speed, from your house to a very nearby airport... but longer road trips will beat the heck out of a lot of prts that were designed for flight loads in the air, not washboard woads and potholes. And those abused parts are what you are betting your life on when you fly. It's not a "small concern".

 >

 > So in my opinion trailering is just fine, and it will save a boat load of money, but you MUST put in a significant amount of thought, care, and concern for the parts of the airplane.

 >

 > Bill Berle

 > www.ezflaphandle.com  - safety & performance upgrade for light aircraft

 > www.grantstar.net           - winning proposals for non-profit and for-profit entities

 >

 > --------------------------------------------

 > On Mon, 12/4/17, Robert Lobdell <robpen5557(at)gmail.com (robpen5557(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 >

 > Subject: Re: Re: Folding wing question

 > To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com (kolb-list(at)matronics.com)

 > Date: Monday, December 4, 2017, 1:23 PM

 >

 > --> Kolb-List message posted by: Robert

 > Lobdell <robpen5557(at)gmail.com (robpen5557(at)gmail.com)>

 >

 > WOW,,, THAT IS GREAT...  I would

 > ask is the Kolbra an older model?  Didn’t see

 > anything about it on the current site for Kolb.

 > Thanks for the input.  So, Firestar is like the mid

 > level plane?   Did you make a custom trailer or just

 > use a regular car hauler type thing?

 >

 > Robert Lobdell

 > Waskom, Texas

 >

 > Flying is the second greatest thrill

 > known to man.  Landing is the first!

 >

 >> On Dec 4, 2017, at 9:14 AM, Ralph

 > B <rstar447(at)gmail.com (rstar447(at)gmail.com)>

 > wrote:

 >>

 >> --> Kolb-List message posted

 > by: "Ralph B" <rstar447(at)gmail.com (rstar447(at)gmail.com)>

 >>

 >> I have owned two Kolb aircraft, a

 > Firestar and a Kolbra. I flew the Firestar for 30 years and

 > would still be flying it had I not sold it. I stored it in

 > my garage during this time and trailered it to a local

 > private field. I folded and unfolded the wings and tail

 > everytime I flew. The folding u-joints are steel and will

 > not wear. The amount of wear is negligible, however, I kept

 > the joints greased. The u-joint bolt can be replaced and I

 > replaced it once and didn't really have to. I think it had

 > about 350 wing folds over that time. One thing to be careful

 > of is the wings are extremely vulnerable near the ground

 > when trailering because the leading edge is close to the

 > ground. I always set up the Firestar alone without any help.

 > Once the wings were unhitched, I would get under and lift

 > the wing on my back to pin the lift strut in. It can be done

 > as I did it all those years. It takes about 20 minutes to

 > set up, but many times I would get interrupted by someone

 > asking questions!

 >  , !

 >> so it would take onger. The Kolbra

 > wings can fold, but I store it in a hangar and never fold

 > them. I have taken the wings off when I replaced the

 > engine.

 >>

 >> It's a little bit of work setting

 > up the Firestar, but that is the price I paid for free

 > hangar rent at home. One advantage of having your plane at

 > home is that I could work on it easier with all the tools

 > there. I also liked having it close by because it was my

 > baby and nobody is going to steal it or anything off of it

 > from my garage. 

 >>

 >> --------

 >> Ralph B

 >>

 >> Kolb Kolbra 912uls

 >> N20386

 >> 550 hours

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >> Read this topic online here:

 >>

 >> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=476087#476087

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >>

 >

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 >     -Matt Dralle, List Admin.

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 

 

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If you forward this email, or any part of it, please remove my email address before sending.

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stuart(at)harnerfarm.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:23 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

Also check out Serenity. She is a Firefly, but the principles are the same.



http://harnerfarm.net/serenity/serenity.html



Some trailer/hangar info here. http://harnerfarm.net/serenity/hangar.htm

Sorry I haven't gotten around to building links on the other pages.



Stuart



--

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:33 pm Post subject: Folding wing question

Add an 'L' to the end of that 2nd web address to make it work.



On 12/4/2017 9:22 PM, Stuart Harner wrote:

[quote] 



 Also check out Serenity. She is a Firefly, but the principles are the same.



 http://harnerfarm.net/serenity/serenity.html



 Some trailer/hangar info here. http://harnerfarm.net/serenity/hangar.htm

 Sorry I haven't gotten around to building links on the other pages.



 Stuart



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