Kolb Flyer Powered Parachute
{{Short description|American powered parachute}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=Flyer | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Powered parachute | national origin=United States | manufacturer=New Kolb Aircraft | designer= | first flight= | introduced=circa 2001 | retired= | status=Production completed | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built=at least one | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
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.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 83. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
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.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-20. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 81 and 124. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
Design and development
The Flyer complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of {{convert|450|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of {{convert|423|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. It could also qualify as a US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules two-seat trainer. It features a {{convert|540|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582 liquid-cooled engine in pusher configuration.
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.
The aircraft has an empty weight of {{convert|287|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|933|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, giving a useful load of {{convert|646|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. With full fuel of {{convert|10|u.s.gal}} the payload for crew and baggage is {{convert|586|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.
Operational history
In July 2015 one example was registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration as an experimental aircraft.{{cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=KOLB&Modeltxt=FLYER&PageNo=1|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 30 July 2015|last = Federal Aviation Administration|date = 30 July 2015}}
Specifications (Flyer)
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|eng1 name=Rotax 582
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