Want to see how it flys?  Check this out VIDEO- Starting, takeoff, and landing video VIDEO.

This is my Kolb MKII.  It's a two seat homebuilt that qualifies for the new Light Sport Aircraft category.  I have about 110 hours on the Kolb now.  Top speed is somewhere over 70 MPH and the 5500 RPM cruise is 60 MPH burning 3.6 GPH of 87 octane.  Max payload to date is 10 gallons fuel and 415 lbs people.  Solo rate of climb is 600-700 FPM.  I have been going to every pancake breakfast and fly-in in central PA.  Lots of fun!  I fold the wings and tail each time that I fly so it can be stored in a trailer.  It takes less than 15 minutes to take out or put away.  Check out the Golf Flight and Fog Flight links

I've been flying quite a bit lately.  I had a great flight to Blue Knob, Ebensburg, Indiana (PA), Punxy, and home (160 miles), and had 4 gallon of fuel remaining.  That makes 22 different airports that I have visited with the Kolb.  The leaves are changing here in PA and the scenery is great.  Check out the Elks Country club below.

Below is a shot of a fly-by at our Octoberfest flyin last year.

The fun thing about a two seater of course is bringing a friend along.

The MKII gets off the ground in a hurry, even with two aboard.

Below are a couple of pictures that my friends Steve and Donna took from their Cub as we flew to Altoona for dinner.

As you can see, it was nice weather and nice country.

With a view like the one below, the question is not "Why fly a Kolb?", the question is "Why would you fly anything else?".  Everyone that I have taken for a ride has loved the visibility.

I wanted to extend the range that I could fly so I replaced the 5 gallon fuel tank with a 10 gallon Poly Dune Buggy fuel tank.

I made a mount from aluminum tubing and straps (Lowes).  I lined the straps with thin rubber/vinyl material.  It's the white colored material in the picture.

The straps wrap around the the tank and are bolted together.  The filler neck is PVC plumbing connected with a rubbed plumbing clamp (Lowes).

The tubes are riveted to the steep frame members with using aluminum gusset plates.  I had to cut the fabric on one side of the fuselage and one of the aluminum fuselage stringers.  The stringer was reattached by sliding smaller tubes inside the stringer that spanned the cuts, and riveting.  The fabric was re-glued to the top stringer, and the vertical cuts were taped and repainted.

Here is the installed tank.  An additional piece of PVC pipe extended the filler neck, and a screw on plumbing fitting was used for the cap.  It all worked out great and doubled my fuel capacity.

The Toy Hauler Trailer

One of the advantages of owning a Kolb is that you don't need a hangar.  As you can see below, my MKII lives in a converted camper that now doubles as a toy hauler.  The camper still has three beds, a dinette, AC, bathroom, living room, and a full kitchen once you remove the airplane.  I usually just leave the camper parked at the airport for the summer and bring it home in the winter.  The trailer has lots of storage space for tools, fuel, etc.  I have not hooked up the fresh water tank yet so I just use bottled water.  The tank and pump are in place and just need a couple pieces of hose.

Beth and I recovered the 70's orange plaid cushions with material that matches our luggage.  Add some new UV blocking curtains and you have an updated interior.  Dinette folds to a single bed.

With the airplane out, you fold down the beds and there's lots of room.

Beds folded up with the Kolb and ramps stored away.  A large screen covers the entire rear opening for great ventilation. Aluminum garage door rolls overhead.

The Kolb easily rolls out on the folding ramps.  The wings swing into place.  The tail unfolds. 

Assembly and disassembly take one person about 15 minutes.

Oshkosh 2010

This year (2010) I made the 1500 mile round trip to Oshkosh, towing the trailer and Kolb with my conversion van.  The trip was a blast even though the camp ground had been closed due the heavy rains.  We timed it just however and there was almost no line when we got to the camp ground.  The trailer towed great, and was a comfortable home away from home.  Hot meals from the stove, cold drinks and ice cream from the fridge, comfortable sitting and sleeping inside or out under the awning.