{{Short description|American ultralight airplane}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}} <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Kolb Firefly | logo = | logo_size = | image = Kolb Firefly photo 2.jpg | alt = | caption = Kolb Firefly | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[New Kolb Aircraft]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 500 (Dec 2011)<ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1995 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = [[Kolb Firestar]] | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Kolb Firefly''' is an American open cockpit, single seat, high wing, [[pusher configuration]], [[conventional landing gear]]-equipped [[ultralight aircraft]] that is produced in kit form by [[New Kolb Aircraft]] of [[London, Kentucky]] and intended for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]]. The aircraft was designed in 1995.<ref name="KitplanesDec2011">Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 72. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-35. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Description">{{cite web|url = http://www.aerokml.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=74|title = Firefly - General Description|accessdate = 10 May 2010|last = The New Kolb Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2010}}</ref><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 123. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

The Firefly is a development of the [[Kolb Firestar]] and was designed to comply with the American [[Ultralight aircraft (United States)|FAR 103 ultralight regulations]], including that category's maximum {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} empty weight.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" />

==Design and development== The Firefly was intended to be a ''FAR 103'' legal ultralight that was powered by the heavier {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 447]] engine. The {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 277]] engine was also an option when the aircraft was first offered.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Description" />

The design features a forward [[fuselage]] of welded [[4130 steel]] tubing, mated to an [[aluminum]] tailboom. The [[horizontal stabilizer]], [[Vertical stabilizer|tail fin]] and wings are also constructed of riveted aluminum tubing with all flying surfaces covered in doped [[aircraft fabric]]. The wings are quick-folding for storage and ground transport.<ref name="Cliche" />

The factory kit options include a complete cockpit enclosure, brakes, quick build option, [[Ballistic Recovery Systems]] parachute and steel tube [[powder coating]].<ref name="Prices">{{cite web|url = http://www.aerokml.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=75|title = Firefly - Price List|accessdate = 10 May 2010|last = The New Kolb Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2010}}</ref>

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==Specifications (Firefly) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche and Kitplanes<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /> |prime units?=imp

|genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=19 |length in=6 |length note= |span m= |span ft=22 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=5 |height in=10 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=117 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=253 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=500 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=5 US gallons (19 litres) |more general=

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 447]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]] aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=40 |eng1 note= |power original=

|prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=70 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=60 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=26 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1000 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note=

|power/mass=

|more performance=

|avionics=*none }}

==See also== {{aircontent <!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |see also= |related=<!-- related developments --> |similar aircraft= *[[Capella Javelin]] *[[TEAM Airbike]] |lists=<!-- related lists --> }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website|http://www.aerokml.com/index.php}}

{{Kolb Aircraft}}

[[Category:Kolb aircraft|Firefly]] [[Category:1990s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]] [[Category:High-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]