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Kolb also had on display a beautiful Firestar on a single Full Lotus
1000 float on amphib gear. The plane was built for a private owner by the
factory's R & D department. According to Ray Brown head of
research and development, who has been involved in a number of award
winning projects, construction took about 3 months,
working part time. "No special tools are required, just basic
wrenches, sockets, a drill and drill bits." "A number of customers
have put their Firestar's on floats, this was the first factory built
float installation." While most float equipped craft suffer in
performance due to the extra weight and drag of a float system, according
to the factory "the single place Firestar when equipped with a 503
Rotax engine gets just about the same performance as the standard land
version equipped with a 447 Rotax." The unit on display did not
have flaps on it but consideration is being given to the installation of
"flaperons." In addition the area normally occupied a
"buddy seat" was converted to a storage area. The factory was
not able to give specifications for climb and cruise with the floats, but
suggested watching Dick Rayhill take off "Dick's plane is the same
plane with the same engine, he just about goes vertical on take-off." The
plane had a very unique paint job on it, done by Randy Taber, a Kolb
employee, " it took nearly three weeks to complete, with all the
masking and unmasking for the colours etc." For more information contact
The New Kolb Aircraft Company
8375 Russell Dyche Hwy.
London, KY 40741 |
