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With a new project in mind, I wandered Sun-N-Fun '99 looking at all of the homebuilts. I established four major criteria for my next project: 1. Totally different look from my last project (the composite speedster!) 2. Low cost; 3. Very high cockpit visibility; 4. Roomy cockpit for two (capacity for tall/big people)
I also wanted to make sure that what I built was from a high quality company - one that had been around a while, and had lots of aircraft flying. I also wanted the aircraft to qualify under the 51% FAA amateur build rule and be on the FAA list as such. The search finally pointed to one model: the KOLB Twinstar Mark III! TRAVEL TO THE FACTORY Because building and flying your own airplane is an investment of your time, your money, and your emotions, I believe you ought to check out the project as thoroughly as possible after narrowing down your choices. I absolutely would not purchase a kit without traveling to the factory and flying the plane. I went to the factory in early September. I got a very warm welcome, and all the details of my visit are posted on the KOLB factory page. Go there now if you wish by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. I was so impressed with the company folks and the airplane flight characteristics that I immediately placed my order for the entire kit, including a ROTAX 912 engine. I returned home to eagerly await my KOLB MARK III. STARTING THE PROJECT Because the KOLB is a fabric covered airplane, I knew I would need to get some instruction before launching into my project. Since the recommendation is to complete the covering first, the first order of business for me was a two day workshop sponsored by SPORTAIR. I traveled to Lakeland in November of 1999 to attend. I was really impressed with the quality of the instruction and the instructional materials. All of it was hands on practice, and it was a lot of fun! The most intriguing part, however, was that the instructor was from (and had a business in) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just down the road from me! So it was only natural for me to ask him (Jerry Stadtmiller, of BIPE, INC - visit him on the web after it's up and running at BIPEINC.COM) to sell me the covering materials I needed. It's amazing how you meet terrific people in aviation and form fast and lasting friendships, and this was one of them. Jerry is the kind of guy who will help anyone out, from providing highly competent advice to loaning you his tools! Under Jerry's watchful eye I began covering the tail surfaces of the KOLB. When Jerry told me I should count on spending at least 40 labor hours per PANEL of covering, I was dumbstruck. How could it take that much time? Well, I can tell you, he was right. I am nearly done with the tail, and I have proceeded with care and patience. Although the process is straightforward, it is composed of many steps that require detailed work - from finishing the corners properly to ironing down the reinforcing tape edges with a small hobby iron to blend them into the rest of the covering. SUN N FUN 2000 I excitedly awaited this year's SUN N FUN. With each building project, you will want to see as many other airplanes like the one you are building as possible - take a good camera with you and photograph everything on the planes - paint schemes to control linkages to upholstery to panels. Because, when you get to these stages of construction, you will never have enough detailed pictures! You will also be able to see what innovations other builders made, and be able to talk to them about their project. I arrived at SUN N FUN a day early, and saw some outstanding MARK III's on the flightline. I got good photos and ideas about how to proceed on my project. There was only one problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEW MODEL I went to the factory booth on the Ultralights field. KOLB had a great (big) spot near the flightline. I immediately noticed a MARK III that looked absolutely space age! What is this? I thought as I looked the sleek craft over. The fuselage was longer, the nose looked like a sand shark from the front, the windshield was longer, bigger, and it was faired into the upper center wing section. The small, at your feet instrument panel was now a helicopter type pod that looked hi tech. I then I realized, I HAVE TO HAVE THIS MODEL! Worriedly, I went over to Norm, the New KOLB CEO. The minute he saw my "in love" face he knew what I was going to say next! "Ok, ok, Lisa, we'll work up an upgrade price tonight for you!!" So, I sprang for the MARK III EXTRA - and not without some heartache. Not only will I be sending my fuselage and related parts back to the factory for a changeout, I will also need to recover two more (new model) horizontal stabilizers (80 hours!). Meanwhile, I will be working on the main wings, which, thankfully, have not changed. Check out the Kolb web site to read about how this new design came about and the excellent technical and consulting help they got to reach this beautiful, and faster, Mark III. MORE TO COME! PAGES UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Click HERE to go to the KOLB Aircraft Factory page!
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This time around, I wanted very low cost of flying and ownership.
So I also decided to choose an aircraft whose wings could be folded up. This would
eliminate the necessary of a hangar. I could either trailer it from home, or I could keep
the plane in an enclosed trailer right at the airport. I consulted the EAA guide to
sportplanes, the KITPLANES aircraft directory, and the USAviator guide to aircraft kits. 
