N420P (4 2 Old Poops)
is a Kolb MKIII Classic, a joy-to-fly 2 seat light aircraft. Construction
began in March 1995, and the aircraft first flew in October of
1996. Other than the shape of the rudder, squared off to cosmetically
match the rest of the tail, the aircraft was built to plans, but
has since undergone a number of minor modifications to enhance
comfort and performance. It is based at an 800' grass strip, and
operates very comfortably, solo or dual, from that size runway.
The aircraft stalls solo at 27-28, dual at 32-33. (Love those
vortex generators!) Normal cruise speed is anywhere between 50
and 75 at 4500-6000 rpm, full throttle level flight is around
85 mph at 6500 rpm. The Rotax 65 hp 582 ( B gearbox, 2.58:1 reduction)
with 2-blade 68" Ivoprop uses 4 gph at 60 mph & 5000
rpm, and around 5 gph at 75 mph & 6000 rpm. Empty weight is
525 pounds with a full electrical system, 720 channel radio, transponder,
mode C, intercom, and a ballistic parachute, and is day/night
VFR legal.
N582EM is a Firestar II with a Rotax 582 engine. It has been reinforced in the motor mount area
to handle the extra torque of the 582, as the original upper fuselage
structure was insufficient for the torque of the 582 and could
be damaged in turbulence at full throttle. This
engine is an excellent choice for the aircraft, as it gives outstanding
performance on takoff and climbout, while allowing cruise power
settings to be very low. Typically the airplane cruises at 65
mph @ 5000 rpm with commensurate low fuel consumption and inproved
engine durability.
The pictures showing the free air
engine and the muffler forward over the wing center section were
taken in the spring of 2018.
Since that time, the windshield
has been changed, the free air engine has been replaced with a
fan cooled engine, and the muffler is alongside the engine.
The pitot tube has also been changed.
Instrument panel has airspeed, variometer,
EGT/CHT, tach, and an antique altimeter out of an automobile!
This was a happy find, because it only weighs 3 ounces. It is
easy to adjust and quite accurate.
You can see the windshield locks
hanging down on either side of the picture. The windshield is
easy to open and close, stays locked securely, and is easy to
get your feet inside without hitting it.
The pink thing in front of the rudder
pedals is the paperwork. It is signed off as Part 103 legal.
The two red caps are atop the throttle
lever, just to the right of it is the brake lever. Just to the
right of the seat is the bag for the hand deployed parachute.
Seat belts are a 4-point harness.
Windshield in the open position.
Elevator trim.
Disc brakes are cable operated,
originally for a bicycle, they work very well.
Thank you George Alexander for web hosting these
pages!
.JPG)
