Kolb Firefly breakfast flight with cockpit narration

[@larrymangold1048]

I grew up near Silver Lake (Mears/Shelby) and love seeing my home turf. Due to my Navy career (now retired), I didn't move back home and stayed in North Carolina where I met my wife. After watching your videos and all the other Kolb videos I could find, I decided on ordering a new RTF Firefly. My original choice was an Aerolite 103, but I just love the taildragger configuration of the Kold. As a GA pilot, I've flown many types of higher performance A/C to include Citabria lessons to learn the art of avoiding a ground loop. Can't wait to get my Firefly which will be initially painted dark blue to match the Blue Angels. I'll add the yellow to match their designs.

[@greggkaat3965]

Been flying my Firefly for 7 years. If you take care of it, it will give you good times and good service.

[@HagsRideOrDie]

Love that view of the sun coming up view. Great video.

[@greggkaat3965]

Yup, They will be a consideration. I'm also looking at using mountain bike brakes and doing a DIY project. I have several pictures of successful examples of those as well.

[@Bass.Player]

I would have to have differential brakes, I would give up electric start if I could have brakes. Just maneuvering around the ramp would be precarious without brakes (to me), however I have never flown an UL. Like you said bicycle brakes might be the answer, I hope you put them on soon... I enjoy your videos and this type of flying, Thanks.

[@ashleybarron9389]

Nice video, enjoyed watching

[@scotabot7826]

I'm surprised you fly such a large pattern with a ultralight. I fly a closer pattern even in a 150. Nice video and beautiful flight!

[@greggkaat3965]

Some of that is the effect of the small lens on my camera and some is left over from my Cessna T41 days. I 'm always close enough in case of an engine out.

[@edwin3928ohd]

Just awesome.

[@eshannonfly]

Get you a set of Blackmax brakes, $400 for the whole set-up, you get the brakes, and a set of polished aluminum wheels and tires with the brake kit. They work great!

[@DanasWings]

+Eric Shannon Agreed; I had the Black Max brakes on my Ultrastar and they worked great. Mine were set up as heel brakes with a pair of Hegar master cylinders instead of the single hand brake master Black Max sells. They're powerful enough to hold the airplane against a full power runup, though that might not be possible with the high thrustline of the Firefly.

[@humnpwr]

Excellent video but I thought I heard you say it is all aluminum. Isn’t it fabric wing cover?

[@greggkaat3965]

Well if I did, it was a mistake. The wings and tail are indeed fabric covered. The tub that you sit in is made from steel and fabric covered. The rest is Aircraft grade aluminum

[@rasco81]

I keep telling myself (gotta build one)… It’s been 3 years since I have been telling myself that

[@KeeneFx]

Why no brakes?

[@WIPilot1993]

Awesome video loved it! Does your Firefly require a license to fly it?

[@greggkaat3965]

No license or medical required but the FAA does have some rules that apply to ultralights. Refer to part 103 in the FAA Regs. I do recommend that you go for a flight with somebody in a similar aircraft to decide if you like it or not.

[@WIPilot1993]

Thanks for the info! Yeah I have my PPL but have taken an interest and think it would be fun to fly an ultralight.

[@roadrunner_meepmeep]

Firefly Ultralight, White Cloud Tower, No sir, that's not how we do it. Get off my runway and circle around and hold at the hold short line... :) I think you can coat your windshield with shampoo, or try rain-x, see which one keeps it from fogging up. I think the old timers used shampoo. You might want to be taking off with 80% throttle, instead of 100% throttle... Flying between Point A and Point B by just watching the Compass and Altitude and keeping them from changing... is boring flying. Might as well buy an airplane ticket if that's what you want to do :-/ Get down lower where you can actually see something... you're flying an ultralight as if it were a GA plane... bleh