Kolb Firefly

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title: "Kolb Firefly" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["kolb-aircraft", "1990s-united-states-ultralight-aircraft", "single-engined-piston-aircraft", "high-wing-aircraft", "aircraft-with-fixed-conventional-landing-gear"] description: "American ultralight airplane" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolb_Firefly" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American ultralight airplane ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

Field	Value
name	Kolb Firefly
image	Kolb Firefly photo 2.jpg
caption	Kolb Firefly
aircraft_type	Ultralight aircraft
national_origin	United States
manufacturer	New Kolb Aircraft
status	In production
number_built	500 (Dec 2011)
introduction	1995
developed_from	Kolb Firestar
::

| name = Kolb Firefly | logo = | logo_size = | image = Kolb Firefly photo 2.jpg | alt = | caption = Kolb Firefly | 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 = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 500 (Dec 2011) | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1995 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = Kolb Firestar | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded =

The Kolb Firefly is an American open cockpit, single seat, high wing, pusher configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft that is produced in kit form by New Kolb Aircraft of London, Kentucky and intended for amateur construction. The aircraft was designed in 1995.

The Firefly is a development of the Kolb Firestar and was designed to comply with the American FAR 103 ultralight regulations, including that category's maximum 254 lb empty weight.

Design and development

The Firefly was intended to be a FAR 103 legal ultralight that was powered by the heavier 40 hp Rotax 447 engine. The 28 hp Rotax 277 engine was also an option when the aircraft was first offered.

The design features a forward fuselage of welded 4130 steel tubing, mated to an aluminum tailboom. The horizontal stabilizer, tail fin and wings are also constructed of riveted aluminum tubing with all flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. The wings are quick-folding for storage and ground transport.

The factory kit options include a complete cockpit enclosure, brakes, quick build option, Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute and steel tube powder coating.

Specifications (Firefly)

|ref=Cliche and Kitplanes |prime units?=imp

|genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=19 |length in=6 |length note= |span m= |span ft=22 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=5 |height in=10 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=117 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=253 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=500 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=5 US gallons (19 litres) |more general=

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Rotax 447 |eng1 type=twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=40 |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=70 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=60 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=26 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |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= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1000 |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

References

References

1. Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 72. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
2. Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-35. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN. 0-9680628-1-4
3. Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
4. The New Kolb Aircraft. (2010). "Firefly - General Description".
5. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 123. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
6. The New Kolb Aircraft. (2010). "Firefly - Price List".

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