{{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 Slingshot | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | 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 = Production completed (2014) | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | 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 = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}
The '''Kolb Slingshot''' is an American tandem two seat, high wing, [[Strut|strut-braced]], [[pusher configuration]], [[conventional landing gear]]-equipped [[ultralight aircraft]], that was produced in kit form by [[New Kolb Aircraft]] of [[London, Kentucky]] and intended for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 54. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-89. 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>
By mid-2014, the company was no longer offering the model for sale and production had ended.<ref name="OfficialHome">{{cite web|url = https://kolbaircraft.com/|title = Kolb Aircraft Company|access-date = 19 February 2020|author=[[New Kolb Aircraft]] |work = kolbaircraft.com|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104221010/https://kolbaircraft.com/|archivedate = 4 January 2014}}</ref>
==Design and development== The Slingshot was designed as a two-seat ultralight with a small wing and high cruise speed for the installed power, capable of delivering speeds comparable to a general aviation aircraft without the associated cost or complexity. The standard engine was originally the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine, but the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]], {{convert|74|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 618]], {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] and {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} or [[2si]] twin engine packs have been installed. In its home country the aircraft is normally licensed in the ''Experimental - amateur-built'' category.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />
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 Slingshot can be made ready to fly from trailering in 15 minutes.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />
The long conventional landing gear consist of sprung tubing for the main gear, with a steerable sprung tailwheel.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />
The company described the Slingshot's two seat capabilities, "the rear passenger seat is designed for average size people, up to 175 pounds. The seating arrangement has the passenger's legs overlapping the pilot's seat. This allows the fuselage to be shorter and more compact. It also saves a lot of weight.".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kolbaircraft.com/slingshot.htm |title=Kolb Aircraft Slingshot Experimental Light Kit Build Aircraft |publisher=Kolbaircraft.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911113522/http://www.kolbaircraft.com/slingshot.htm |archive-date=2012-09-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Operational history== In reviewing the aircraft Andre Cliche said:
{{cquote|This tandem two-seater is a really hot little racer with a short speedwing and an oversized engine.<ref name="Cliche" /> }}
==Specifications (Slingshot) == {{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=19 |length in=0 |length note= |span m= |span ft=22 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=6 |height in=9 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=110 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=345 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=850 |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=100 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=87 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=39 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=125 |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=+4/-2 |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1300 |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= *[[Excalibur Aircraft Excalibur]] *[[Quad City Challenger II]] |lists=<!-- related lists --> }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130915151146/http://kolbaircraft.com/slingshot.htm Official website archive] on [[Archive.org]] {{Kolb Aircraft}}
[[Category:Kolb aircraft|Slingshot]] [[Category:1990s United States ultralight aircraft]]