Kolb Flyer Powered Parachute
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Flyer | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Powered parachute |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | New Kolb Aircraft |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | at least one |
| History | |
| Introduction date | circa 2001 |
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]
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]
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]