The Kolb Mark III is a family of American side-by-side two seater, high wing, strut-braced, 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.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Kolb Mark III | |
|---|---|
| |
| Kolb Mark III | |
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | New Kolb Aircraft |
| Status | In production |
| Number built | 100 (Dec 2011)[1] |
| Variants | Precision Tech Fergy |
Design and development
editThe Mark III's standard engine was originally the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine, but the current engines offered are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL or the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS. In its home country the aircraft is normally licensed in the Experimental - amateur-built category.[2][3][4][5]
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 and horizontal tail are quick-folding for storage and ground transport. The original Mark III can be made ready to fly from trailering in eight minutes by one person without the use of tools, while the newer M3X variant is rated at 15 minutes to assemble for flight.[2][3][4][5]
The landing gear is sprung tubing for the main gear, with a steerable sprung tailwheel and the cabin is 45 in (114 cm) in width.[3][4]
Factory options include brakes, Ballistic Recovery Systems airframe parachute and powder coating of the steel parts. The manufacturer describes the aircraft as STOL, with a 200 ft (61 m) take-off run.[6][5]
Operational history
editIn reviewing the aircraft Andre Cliche said:
The Twinstar Mk III is a very clean and aerodynamic design. lt looks fast and flies fast. With standard dual controls, it can be used as a trainer, but it is most often used as a cross-country cruiser. It is especially desirable for its folding wings.[3]
Variants
edit- Mark III
- Two seats in side-by-side configuration, high wing ultralight, powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, 74 hp (55 kW) Rotax 618 or 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL engine. Variously marketed at different times as the Mark III, Twinstar and Mark III Classic.[2][3][4]
- Mark III Xtra
- Two seats in side-by-side configuration, high wing ultralight, powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL engine, the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS or the 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200. The Xtra underwent an aerodynamic cleanup by aerodynamicist Barnaby Wainfan and was introduced in 1999. Variously marketed as the Mark III Xtra and the M3X.[5][7]
Specifications (Mark III)
editData from Kitplanes, Cliche and Purdy[2][3][4]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m2)
- Empty weight: 450 lb (204 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 10 US gallons (38 litres)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 85 mph (137 km/h, 74 kn)
- Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
- Stall speed: 33 mph (53 km/h, 29 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
- Range: 130 mi (210 km, 110 nmi)
- Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (4.8 m/s)
Avionics
- none
See also
editRelated development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
edit- ^ a b Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 72. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ a b c d e Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ a b c d e f g Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-88. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b c d e f Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 188. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ^ a b c d e The New Kolb Aircraft (May 2010). "The M3X - General Description". Retrieved 13 May 2010.
- ^ The New Kolb Aircraft (May 2010). "The M3X - Price List". Retrieved 13 May 2010.
- ^ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 124. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
External links
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