Kolb Mark III explained

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]

Design and development

The Mark III's standard engine was originally the 640NaN0 Rotax 582 engine, but the current engines offered are the 800NaN0 Rotax 912UL or the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS. In its home country the aircraft is normally licensed in the Experimental - amateur-built category.

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.

The landing gear is sprung tubing for the main gear, with a steerable sprung tailwheel and the cabin is 450NaN0 in width.

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 2000NaN0 take-off run.[6]

Operational history

In reviewing the aircraft Andre Cliche said:

Variants

Mark III
  • Two seats in side-by-side configuration, high wing ultralight, powered by a 500NaN0 Rotax 503, 640NaN0 Rotax 582, 740NaN0 Rotax 618 or 800NaN0 Rotax 912UL engine. Variously marketed at different times as the Mark III, Twinstar and Mark III Classic.
    Mark III Xtra
  • Two seats in side-by-side configuration, high wing ultralight, powered by an 800NaN0 Rotax 912UL engine, the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS or the 850NaN0 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.[7]

    Notes and References

    1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 72. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    2. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    3. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-88. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    4. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 188. BAI Communications.
    5. Web site: The M3X - General Description. 13 May 2010. The New Kolb Aircraft . May 2010.
    6. Web site: The M3X - Price List. 13 May 2010. The New Kolb Aircraft . May 2010.
    7. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 124. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X

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