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Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure

 
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Dennis Thate



Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:37 am    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

I've decided to enclose my Firestar II Cockpit because of the short flying season where I live. I've discussed this with Kolb Aircraft but as much as I would like to buy from Travis, I'm just not satisfied with the post running down the middle of canopy concept they offer in their after market kit.

I'm hoping to see some different ideas posted that Firestar owners have built ,and any pro's and con's of these original designs.

I've seen many cool ideas, but so far this design in the photo appeals to me the most .

Thanks,
Dennis
“I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things…” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 11:15 am    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Kinda looks like the firefly , full enclosure...The lexan is the center
hinge...Fastens to the nose cone well down from center on the left
side...and same on the curved support at the rear...Just wraps over the
right side of the nose cone and rear frame...The left side and the right
are fitted with a piece of angle aluminum to firm up the lexan..the
angle on the right side provides attach points for the latch...The angle
on the left attaches to the cage longeron...Herb

On 03/03/2013 12:37 PM, Dennis Thate wrote:
Quote:


I've decided to enclose my Firestar II Cockpit because of the short flying season where I live. I've discussed this with Kolb Aircraft but as much as I would like to buy from Travis, I'm just not satisfied with the post running down the middle of canopy concept they offer in their after market kit.

I'm hoping to see some different ideas posted that Firestar owners have built ,and any pro's and con's of these original designs.

I've seen many cool ideas, but so far this design in the photo appeals to me the most .

Thanks,
Dennis



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Dennis Thate



Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Just got this in a private e-mail... This is a fine piece of workmanship and I think this is exactly what I'm seeking!

Thanks for sharing !


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:30 pm    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Good design...but---way overbuilt ....check out the Firefly
enclosure...no tubing in the field of view...Almost no tubing at
all...Just a circular piece up near the wing to support the ,0625
lexan.. The curved lexan has quite a bit of strength...and is fine at
the speeds that we fly.. Herb
On 03/03/2013 04:13 PM, Dennis Thate wrote:
Quote:


Just got this in a private e-mail... This is a fine piece of workmanship and I think this is exactly what I'm seeking!

Thanks for sharing !

--------
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern


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Dennis Thate



Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

That's a beautiful firefly.

The overbuilt concept may be true, but still a great idea in event of a bird strike, something in my part of the country to be concerned about. A weight & balance to follow for sure.


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:44 pm    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Thanks Dennis
Certainly a bird strike is a concern...I tend to think that the
curvature and toughness of the Lexan would negate a bird strike...

I had a close call some years back...Some kind of high flying "swift"
.I saw it as a speck and within seconds it went by me...We were closing
at a very high rate... Herb

On 03/03/2013 05:34 PM, Dennis Thate wrote:
Quote:


That's a beautiful firefly.

The overbuilt concept may be true, but still a great idea in event of a bird strike, something in my part of the country to be concerned about. A weight & balance to follow for sure.

--------
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern


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frank goodnight



Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Posts: 126

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:04 pm    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Hi All,
Dennis--Soon as the weather warms up a little I plan to cover the cage on my
firestar 11. I have enough .016 alum left over from the 701 project to skin it .
Don't know how much more it weighs but it shouldn't be much heavier than the
polyfiber.Plan to weld some tabs on the tubes and go from there.My main worry is if i can get it to look neat enough to suit me.The other thing is -- I plan to move my instrument
panel aft about 8''. As it is in the standard nose bowl from kolb , i can't reach my
EIS without using a stick to punch the buttons, also have trouble reading or changing
the GPS.
I've tried 3 different type windscreens-- the shorty from kolb--one with 2 tubes from the nose bowl aft--and one with one tube from the nose bowl aft. For my money there isn't any real
difference as far as visitability or ease of getting in and out of the cockpit. My real faverite
is no nose bowl or cage cover, but there is just too much bad weather in north AR for that.
Good luck with your project, keep us posted
Frank
do not archive

From: Dennis Thate <retroman(at)frontier.com>
To: kolb-list(at)matronics.com
Sent: Sun, March 3, 2013 12:41:06 PM
Subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure

--> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dennis Thate" <retroman(at)frontier.com (retroman(at)frontier.com)>

I've decided to enclose my Firestar II Cockpit because of the short flying season where I live. I've discussed this with Kolb Aircraft but as much as I would like to buy from Travis, I'm just not satisfied with the post running down the middle of canopy concept they offer in their after market kit.

I'm hoping to see some different ideas posted that Firestar owners have built ,and any pro's and con's of these original designs.

I've seen many cool ideas, but so far this design in the photo appeals to me the most .

Thanks,
Dennis
“I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things…” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

--------
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. ~Gil Stern


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http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=395523#395523


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Dennis Thate



Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:31 am    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Frank,

I'll post some follow up photos of my canopy as I build it, please post some of your new panel extension as I can relate to not being able to reach my EIS instrument , and that sounds like a good idea I may borrow.

Regards,
Dennis

I'll get to it soon...right now I have to go blow more snow ! Very Happy


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Dennis Thate



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PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 6:08 am    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Just got this in the mail... What workmanship .. WOW !

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:48 am    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

dennis

my eis had a plug on the back that had wires that would allow for remote
switches for the eis... and with the eis on my panel I located the remote
switches overhead, does your eis not have the remote switch capability?

boyd young

Quote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'll post some follow up photos of my canopy as I build it, please post some

of your new panel extension as I can relate to not being able to reach my
EIS instrument , and that sounds like good idea I may borrow.

Regards,
Dennis


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lcottrell



Joined: 29 May 2006
Posts: 1490
Location: Jordan Valley, Or

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:59 am    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

I put mine on the stick, and my GPS on my leg.Larry

On Mon, Mar 4, 2013 at 8:47 AM, b young <byoungplumbing(at)gmail.com (byoungplumbing(at)gmail.com)> wrote:
Quote:
--> Kolb-List message posted by: "b young" <byoungplumbing(at)gmail.com (byoungplumbing(at)gmail.com)>

dennis

my eis had a plug on the back that had wires that would allow for remote switches for the eis... and with the eis on my panel I located the remote switches overhead, does your eis not have the remote switch capability?

boyd young

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I'll post some follow up photos of my canopy as I build it, please post some of your new panel extension as I can relate to not being able to reach my EIS instrument , and that sounds like good idea I may borrow.

Regards,
Dennis

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Richard Pike



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
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Location: Blountville, Tennessee

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:03 am    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

When we rebuilt N582EF after the crash, we did it this way. It works ok, and it is very airtight in winter. In summer, you about have to take out the back windows or it is too tight and you get too hot and stuffy.

We also had to put a padded partition between the cockpit and the storage area in back to try and reduce some of the noise.

If you have back problems or are not very flexible, you will have problems getting in and out, and you need to be able to fold and tuck your head to get in and out.

If I had it to do over, I would have made it about the same in the back, but done a one piece wrap instead to make it easier to get in and out.

Hope this gives you some more to think about.


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John Hauck



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:15 am    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

When we rebuilt N582EF after the crash, we did it this way. It works ok, and
it is very airtight in winter. In summer, you about have to take out the
back windows or it is too tight and you get too hot and stuffy.

--------
Richard Pike


The windshield faring came out good.

If it wasn't so much work, I'd redo mine.

john h
mkIII
Titus, Alabama


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Dennis Thate



Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:49 am    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Richard,.

Thanks for sharing your photos, looks like a top notch job you can be proud of . Lots of creative Kolb Firestar modifications. Glad I posed the question, I've learned a lot !

Boyd,

Thanks....The EIS and dash modifications will come next, I've saved your examples from an earlier post.


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Thom Riddle



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

PostPosted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:08 am    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

An alternative to extending the panel is to put your switches on the seat frame or other easy to reach location. My Slingshot has the EIS controls in the joystick grip, the two mag switches on the left side of seat frame, and the starter switch and electric elevator trim switch on the right side of the seat frame.

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Dennis Thate



Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 362

PostPosted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 6:14 am    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Thom,
Not sure who sent these to me last year, but both interesting ideas.


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 2:35 pm    Post subject: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Tom

Got a call from Sam Peachy..wanting my slingshot...I forgot to tell
him about yours...but did tell him that there was one on Barnstormers....

He was going to install a 912 engine...and naturally yours would be
ideal.... his cell is seven one seven three six three 0six 0
two......better hurry before he buys the one in Indiana...Herb

On 03/05/2013 07:08 AM, Thom Riddle wrote:
Quote:


An alternative to extending the panel is to put your switches on the seat frame or other easy to reach location. My Slingshot has the EIS controls in the joystick grip, the two mag switches on the left side of seat frame, and the starter switch and electric elevator trim switch on the right side of the seat frame.

--------
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

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Thom Riddle



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 3:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Kolb Firestar II Cockpit Enclosure Reply with quote

Please put me in contact with him. My email is riddletr_at_gmail.com

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