Kolb Aircraft Firefly 103 Legal Ultralight (2024)

The FireFly is a significant breakthrough in ultralight aircraft. Easy-to-build and designed to be a legal ultralight under FAR Part 103. We have observed that most legal ultralight aircraft suffer from a lack of performance. We at Kolb Aircraft think flying an ultralight aircraft should be safe, fun, and affordable. Pilots should not have to give up performance when flying an ultralight so we have designed the FireFly to be a "real" aircraft with a level of performance that can fly rings around other ultralight aircraft. After all, who wants to drift around like a kite when you can be buzzing through the sky like a fighter? The FireFly also offers the mainstay features all Kolb aircraft are known for: quick-folding wings, enclosable co*ckpit, welded chrome-moly steel fuselage cage and, of course, outstanding performance. Kolb offers more safety, fun and performance in 254 pounds than any other manufacturer.Kolb Aircraft's Firefly 103 Legal Ultralight is a single-seat, open-co*ckpit, high-wing aircraft that is designed for recreational flying. It is powered by a Rotax 503 engine and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph. The Firefly 103 is a great choice for those looking to get into recreational flying without breaking the bank. Viagra, on the other hand, is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual health issues. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing for improved erections. Viagra is a safe and effective treatment option for many men, but it is important to speak to a doctor before taking it.

Pictured above is 2004EAA Sun-N-Fun Best Construction Kit FireFly owner Robin Bassett.

HIGH PERFORMANCE The performance of the FireFly is absolutely awesome. You need to see a FireFly in the air to truly appreciate what it can do. Seeing how 40 horsepower pushes this 254 pound aircraft is eye-opening.

STURDY CONSTRUCTION
The welded chrome-moly steel fuselage cage provides the solid feel of the "real" airplane. For strength and durability in airframe structures, aluminum and steel are superior. The heart of the FireFly, the fuselage cage, is made from strong, factory welded 4130 chrome-moly steel. We also use 4130 steel in all high stress areas. Compare a FireFly wing with the typical sailcloth wing of other ultralight's and you will see the difference. FireFly wings have rigid truss ribs and a massive 5" aircraft aluminum wing spar. Covered with Stit* aircraft covering, there is no comparison!

SPORTY HANDLING
The FireFly has conventional 3-axis, cable, and push-pull tube controls. It is very responsive and light on the controls, yet is not twitchy or sensitive. The FireFly also has gentle stall characteristics. Upon entering a stall from straight and level flight, there is some sink which precedes the stall. Continuing into the stall, there will be a gentle break at about 30 mph and the nose will drop. The aircraft gains speed and resumes flying with a reduction of stick back pressure.

Although Kolb aircraft are easy to fly and have gentle flight characteristics, they are also high performance aircraft. We recommend training or some transition training before attempting flight in our aircraft.

Flaperons are standard equipment and decrease the stall speed by 4-5 mph, but more importantly, allow for very steep descents without building up excessive airspeed. This is exactly what is needed to drop into a short field or for an emergency landing.

Pictured above is Stanley Chitwood's FireFly at his home in Somerset Ky.

Optional brakes provide for sure stops and the optional individual heel pedals allow a tighter turning radius. The flaperons and optional brakes allow the FireFly to be landed, stopped and maneuvered in very tight areas.

GREAT VISIBILITY
The fact is, better visibility makes for more enjoyable flying. The pusher configuration of the FireFly provides the vastly superior visibility that Kolb aircraft have become known for. There is 360 degree visibility from the cabin and an optional full canopy enclosure allows comfortable flying in cooler weather. The rear engine eliminates exhaust fumes and reduces noise levels.

Pictured above is Steve Zigan's FireFly demonstrating the folding wings.

FOLDING WINGS & TAIL Like all Kolb aircraft, the FireFly has folding wings and tail which allow for easy storage or trailering. The tail folds up and the wings fold back along the fuselage in about 15 minutes by one person. Everything stores right on the airframe.

Even Quicker Folding: The horizontal stabilizers/elevators fold upward and the wings fold rearward staying attached at the universal joint. The FireFly has one more time savings feature... there is no need to disconnect the lift strut from the wings. They need only be disconnected from the fuselage cage. The lift strut assembly then folds forward and lies flat with the bottom of the wing. This saves disconnecting two clevis pins and also saves the effort to secure the lift struts when trailering. Many of our customers fold and unfold their airplanes routinely every time they fly -- year after year. This allows for money saving compact storage at the airport or at home.

	Pictured here is Sam Peachey demonstrating the awesome climb rate of our TriFly! You now have the option to order your legal ultralight FireFly with conventional tri-gear configuration...
We call it the TriFly! All of the traditional FireFly characteristics and specifications apply to the TriFly.

Weight Considerations
The builder must exercise care to keep the FireFly as light as possible as it is being built. The FireFly was designed to weigh less than 254 lbs. with a 40 hp engine, standard windshield, minimal paint and basic instruments.The FAA, in accordance with FAR 103.7 allows 24 lbs. over the 254 lb. limit for a parachute. The BRS soft-pack weighs 16.5 lbs.; therefore, you have an additional 7.5 lbs. available which will cover the weight of brakes and full enclosure. Individual FAA inspectors may allow the full 24 lbs. or only the actual weight of the parachute. Both situations are possible under the present regulations. The bottom line is that you have the option to point out that the full 24 lbs. "may" be allowed under the existing regulations. This may sound complicated, but we want you to be aware of the choices you have. If anything is unclear to you, please call us.

WARNING: We do not recommend doing aerobatics in our airplanes. Aerobatics can be dangerous; every year we read of even professionals dying while performing aerobatics (even in airplanes designed for aerobatics!). Statistically the odds are greatly against you when performing aerobatic maneuvers compared with normal flying. Even aside from any structural problems, botched maneuvers can easily kill. If you really want to do aerobatics, we would recommend you purchase an airplane designed specifically for that purpose. While some have performed aerobatics in our designs, we still DO NOT recommend it. For example: two people may do a loop and one may put twice the stress on the airplane than the other. So, just because you see someone doing it, does not necessarily mean you can do it as safely.