<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Kolb Mark III | logo = | logo_size = | image = Kolb Mk III C-ICAS.JPG | alt = | caption = Kolb Mark III | 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 = 100 (Dec 2011)<ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = [[Precision Tech Fergy]] | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}
The '''Kolb Mark III''' is a family of [[United States|American]] side-by-side two seater, high wing, [[Strut|strut-braced]], [[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]].<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="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-88. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 188. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref><ref name="M3X">{{cite web|url = http://www.aerokml.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=76 |title = The M3X - General Description|accessdate = 13 May 2010|last = The New Kolb Aircraft |authorlink = |date=May 2010}}</ref>
==Design and development== The Mark III's standard engine was originally the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine, but the current engines offered are the {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] or the {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912ULS]]. In its home country the aircraft is normally licensed in the ''Experimental - amateur-built'' category.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="M3X" />
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 and horizontal tail are quick-folding for storage and ground transport. The original Mark III can be made ready to fly from trailering in eight minutes by one person without the use of tools, while the newer M3X variant is rated at 15 minutes to assemble for flight.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="M3X" />
The landing gear is sprung tubing for the main gear, with a steerable sprung tailwheel and the cabin is {{convert|45|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} in width.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />
Factory options include brakes, [[Ballistic Recovery Systems]] airframe parachute and [[powder coating]] of the steel parts. The manufacturer describes the aircraft as [[STOL]], with a {{convert|200|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} take-off run.<ref name="Price">{{cite web|url = http://www.aerokml.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=77 |title = The M3X - Price List|accessdate = 13 May 2010|last = The New Kolb Aircraft |authorlink = |date=May 2010}}</ref><ref name="M3X" />
==Operational history== In reviewing the aircraft Andre Cliche said:
{{cquote|The Twinstar Mk III is a very clean and aerodynamic design. lt looks fast and flies fast. With standard dual controls, it can be used as a trainer, but it is most often used as a cross-country cruiser. It is especially desirable for its folding wings.<ref name="Cliche" /> }}
==Variants== ;Mark III :Two seats in side-by-side configuration, high wing ultralight, powered by a {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]], {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]], {{convert|74|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 618]] or {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] engine. Variously marketed at different times as the ''Mark III'', ''Twinstar'' and ''Mark III Classic''.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /> ;Mark III Xtra :Two seats in side-by-side configuration, high wing ultralight, powered by an {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] engine, the {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912ULS]] or the {{convert|85|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Jabiru 2200]]. The Xtra underwent an aerodynamic cleanup by aerodynamicist [[Barnaby Wainfan]] and was introduced in 1999. Variously marketed as the ''Mark III Xtra'' and the ''M3X''.<ref name="M3X" /><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 124. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>
==Specifications (Mark III) == {{Aircraft specs |ref= Kitplanes, Cliche and Purdy<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /> |prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=22 |length in=6 |length note= |span m= |span ft=30 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=6 |height in=2 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=160 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=450 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=1000 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=10 US gallons (38 litres) |more general=
|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 582]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]] aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=64 |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=85 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=75 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=33 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=90 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=130 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=950 |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= *[[Precision Tech Fergy]] |similar aircraft= *[[Quad City Challenger II]] |lists=<!-- related lists --> }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|www.kolbaircraft.com/}} {{Kolb Aircraft}}
[[Category:Kolb aircraft|Mark III]] [[Category:1990s United States ultralight aircraft]]