I use the term Grossly Inaccurate now. Thanks Wolfe

My “most satisfying experience “ was sincerely surrendering to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Nothing compares.

@@chipsmydog You're an idiot.

Keith Calvert Thanks or your kind words. Dropping in on you guys was a lot of fun. That was my first landing in someone's "back yard!" Please do keep me informed on your progress with the Mk III. I think you will enjoy it. Be safe, and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Billy Page approaching my solo flight date...feeling the same way..

Luckily, with these super high drag airplanes, approach speed isn't so important as it drops like a rock once power is removed.

Been there done that.....Great airplane...Flew mine this morning...Calm winds and blue skies my friend.....

Kevin Copeland

I echo everyone’s comments and your skills, although when I heard you speak I could tell you had some experience under your wing. Now having said that, please tell me more about your trailer. By the way my email is: frankiebpr@yahoo.com if you feel this is an easier way of communicating. Thanks for an exceptional video. Frank

It was nice to meet you too! We’ve got a couple of months of great flying weather coming up. I’m going up for the 3rd time this week tonight. Good luck on your Rans ferry flight!

Randy Phillips Thanks. I did a lot of high speed taxi runs before I went for it. I also got a taildragger endorsement in a Citabria. I went straight from the Citabria to the Firefly. That was a rough transition. It's best if you can get at least some dual time in a taildragger. The most important thing is to hold it off the ground and full stall it at touchdown. Else, be prepared to go around if you bounce it. Good luck you you.

I agree great video and yes the view from inside seemed quite scary on the landing but when viewed from outside looked pretty smooth for the most part and well done!

Chiefkirk Outdoors I went from a Citabria to this! Better than no training at all, but not by much.

@@JWolfe104 Totally understand pal.

Could you comment on the handling characteristics of the Kolb compared to the Cessna please?

+gjpetryk Yep. The Rotax 447 has done nothing but purr like a kitten for 100 hours now.

Thanks for the compliment. I have the MGL V10 panel mounted radio with a Mobile brand "AIRKIT" base loaded antenna. I bought mine cheaper by going direct through Mobile in Australia. It is about the only game in town for a decent base loaded aircraft antenna. It is well made. You can see it mounted to the right side of the cage. From pattern altitude I pick up surrounding air traffic 40+ miles away. I'm also using resistor plugs, shielded and grounded plug wires, and a mic muff. The V10 has some really sophisticated noise filtering/canceling software that is user adjustable. I think this is one of the main reasons for my good sound. They make a 2.25" version of that radio now. I'm also patching the audio straight into the GoPro. But, sound quality reports from the UNICOM operator are also positive. Happy Flying. Stay safe. Kolbs are a lot of fun!

+Roger Blackwood Yes. GPS would have helped. I own one. But, for a maiden flight where you don't leave the traffic pattern, it doesn't make a lot of sense. It's one more thing to worry about while you already have your hands full.

it weighs 250lbs and the gross is 500lbs.

+John Hettish I still answer a few comments here and there. I had a tailwheel endorsement. The landing was a little hot, but that's that idea when you are first learning to land a light weight high drag ultralight. The airspeed decays quickly. I've slowed my approaches down with experience. I got my tailwheel endorsement in a Citabria. The Kolb handled quite differently!

The Kolb manual doesn’t list one.

+PATRICK MCKOWEN Thanks for the kind words. The camera angle, being above my head and at a more shallow angle to the windscreen, makes the glare appear much worse. I don't even notice it when I fly. There's not a lot I can do about it. I have 100 hours on the plane now and I've enjoyed every minute. The view is fantastic!

+JWolfe104 Thx for the update -- I just really wanted to know the pilots view was good. I envy you -- just started looking into working towards getting my certification .Cheers, Patrick

Dcred45 Thanks for the compliment. You're struggling with the age old delima, as did I. I will tell you my experience, but you will need to modify it to fit your situation. My Firefly is heavy. I've got all the bells and whistles. My flying weight is about 550 lbs. So, my speeds are going to be on the high side. If yours is a true UL, then...? I approach at 58 with no flaps. I use 54 or 55 with full flaps. My stall speed is 44 no flaps, and about 41/42 with flaps at altitude. In ground effect, maybe 38/39. I typically approach with no flaps. Idle rpm in a descent with the prop windmilling is about 2900 (Rotax 447). I usually carry about 3300/3400 rpm down to, and partially through, the round out. I start the round out about 20' above the ground. This leaves me with enough speed to have time to make a nice flare (about 3 seconds). I could approach slower. But, if I did, I would certainly carry the power all the way until I was 2' off the ground. The manual that came with the kit from Kolb recommends using 55 mph for your first flight approach speed, and I would say that is about right. I'm not sure what you are used to flying, so I my be telling you what you already know. But, the issue with planes like the Firefly and other UL's is low inertia. Once you round out, the plane stops flying quickly. If your current experience is in GA type planes, it will catch you off guard. I would recommend doing what I did on my first flight, which is do a lot of stalls and slow flight. Get a feel for what the stick forces feel like as the plane slows down. The full span ailerons cause the stick forces to change drastically with speed. Find your stall speed, then add 15 to 20 mph to it for approach. Carry 500/600 rpm above idle through the round out. Be prepared to add a little throttle if needed. Work on slowing the approach down only as you gain experience. I definitely would not slow anywhere near 40 unless you are ready to fall from that altitude. There is almost no down side to a little extra speed on final until you get the hang of it. One more thing. Feed in takeoff power gently at first. If you hold neutral or a little down elevator, then feed power too quickly, it has a tendency to nose over. If you want to add power quickly, then hold full up elevator, then relax it as you get a little forward speed. Good luck, and I'd be happy to answer any more questions. The last plane I flew before the Firefly maiden flight was a Citabria. So, I've experience the apprehension of the unknown!

Thanks for the fast reply! My FF is a part 103 legal UL w/ a rotax 447. My previous flight experience is flying a cessna 152 and 172. I have been doing a number of high speed speed taxi's, lifting the tail and setting it back down. I bought my plane already built and it has a bungi cord around the bottom of the stick that it tied off under the seat. Its kinda weird imo. I suppose this is a form of trim? Thanks again for the info, I never recieved a manual with my plane!

One other thing, my FF does not have a cover for the wing gap like most FF's. Do think this will be a major problem? Thanks in advance!

Dcred45 A bungee is a common method of trim on ULs. It's a lot better than nothing. It should work fine for you as long as you have a decent way to adjust the tension to achieve level cruise flight.

Dcred45 I wouldn't recommend it, especially for a first flight. I've heard a lot of bad things about doing it, and nothing good. I pasted a link below that talks about one guy's experience. The issue is that you have 4 wingtips instead of two. That creates a lot of drag and reduces lift. It also makes the air dirtier around the prop and tail. I would recommend taking the time to work one up. www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/aircraft-design-aerodynamics-new-technology/6308-wing-center-section-gap-seal.html

Robbie Brown These are cable style brakes, so they have to make a large sweeping bend, or they will bind. The cable and housing are very stiff. I've converted to hydraulic brakes and zip tied the lines to the gear legs. It looks much nicer now. They are lighter too.

Robbie Brown Also... This one will be for sale next summer. I'm building a Sonex, and it should be done by then.

JWolfe104 I see! That makes perfect sense! just one other question, in the event of a Engine failure (lets use ISA) what is the ROD roughly and the recommended glide speed? Thanks

I didn't really know what to expect from it. The takeoff run was the first full power run. I took 8 hours of tailwheel instruction in a Citabria. No comparison. I now routinely take off in 400 feet.

Charles T I had to add a wee bit of rudder trim and aileron trim. The plane is rigged "straight," so there is nothing to compensate for torque and p-factor except the trim tabs.

Charles T Take a look at my Kolb Mark III X two seater on Barnstormers.