Kolb Flyer Powered Parachute

The Kolb Flyer Powered Parachute is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by New Kolb Aircraft of London, Kentucky. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Flyer
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer New Kolb Aircraft
Introduction circa 2001
Status Production completed
Number built at least one

The Flyer was the second of three company aircraft to bear the same name, after the 1970 Kolb Flyer and followed by the 2008 production Kolb Flyer Super Sport, a version of the Canadian Ultravia Pelican. Introduced about 2001, The powered parachute was a break from previous Kolb designs, which were otherwise all fixed wing aircraft and was embarked upon to give the company a foothold in the then-expanding North American powered parachute market.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The Flyer complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 423 kg (933 lb). It could also qualify as a US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules two-seat trainer. It features a 540 sq ft (50 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 liquid-cooled engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted metal tubing. In-flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension.[1]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 287 lb (130 kg) and a gross weight of 933 lb (423 kg), giving a useful load of 646 lb (293 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 586 lb (266 kg).[1]

Operational history

In July 2015 one example was registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration as an experimental aircraft.[4]

Specifications (Flyer)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wing area: 540 sq ft (50 m2)
  • Empty weight: 130 lb (59 kg)
  • Gross weight: 933 lb (423 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 31 mph (50 km/h, 27 kn)
  • Wing loading: 1.73 lb/sq ft (8.46 kg/m2)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 83. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-20. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  3. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 81 and 124. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (July 30, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved July 30, 2015.
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