Great video... The Firefly is a beautiful aircarft and that was a very interesting and informative walk through, Stanley. Thank you. I'm not a fixed wing pilot, I fly a paramotor, but really appreciate the beauty and functionality of this amazing flying machine. Thank you too Brian
I'm glad you liked it, Skip. By the way, I had the great fortune to visit Kerry back in the 1980's. It is quite beautiful. You might like some of my POV movies. Here is a good place to start: www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/POVs.htm Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ Brian FitzGerald - The Sky Surfer
Talked to Stanley Monday night. We talked about your interview with him. He is doing well. Still has his Firefly and tries to fly occasionally but has a sick family member and farms full time so it don't leave much time. Thanks for sharing his love for flying. Barry Speaks Somerset Kentucky.
Thanks, Barry! I like Stanley a lot. I'm glad to hear he is doing well. I have been shooting a new type of flying movie you might like that you can find here: www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/POVs.htm
Dear Don, Thank you very much. The trip to Tennessee was a great time for me. Stanley was very knowledgeable and helpful. I have always liked the Kolb designs and if I didn't have a Quicksilver I would have a Kolb. I think you will like your Firefly a lot. Since you are getting into that type of flying you might like "Sky Surfing - The Flite Blog™". It is an on-going collection of photo journalistic stories by me recounting my "Fun Flights" across the Prairie of Kansas and Oklahoma. You can get to it from my website (fitzvideo.com). It also features excellent aviation photos from contributors all over. I will be cranking up my flight adventure stories once the weather cooperates again. It was 11 degrees yesterday... Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ Brian FitzGerald
Hello Brian, Great job on the video! The interview with Stanley was awesome, he sounds like the kind of guy I'd love to shoot the breeze with! I found myself wishing the narrative was a little longer! I built/flew a Weedhopper with the Chotia motor, early 80's...flew a Qucksilver MX a few times back then too...now a partial Sonex in the garage...wondering if it'll ever get done...ultralights starting to look pretty good! This Kolb looks very practical and fun! Mike in MA
I am interested in and watch all the ultralight videos, but at my age will likely not fly one. These aircraft remind me of the vehicles in the early automotive industry, as just enough "to get by". To the young adventurous types, have fun and be safe!
Dear Mike, I'm glad you liked it. I like Stan and he did a good job. Since you are considering Ultralights again, you would like "Sky Surfing - The Flite Blog™". I have been making fairly long flight adventures the last two Summers in my Quicksilver MXL and doing photo/journalism reports. You can find Sky Surfing on my website fitzvideo(dot)com. Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ Brian FitzGerald
I purchased a gorgeous Firestar 2 with the 503, I've been doing some fast taxiing at about 30-35 MPH with the tail up. As Chitwood suggested. I'm able to hold it pretty straight down the runway. I'm about ready to take her up. I have many hours in the Quicksilver MXL but none in a tail dragger. I agree, it wud be nice to be able to chat with Stanly to help us newbies. There is a grass or weedy area next to runway where I may do my first few landings. I paid 10 Grand for my plane with avionics and helmet and an enclosed trailer. I wanted an electric start but It starts easily.
Dear Randy, Man, that is great! I really like the Kolb Two Seater. It is a fine plane. I can't give out Stan's number but he lived in the vicinity of the Kolb factory so maybe you can find him by using the directory service. Doing your first landings on grass is a good idea. Another is to get an experienced tailwheel flying buddy or instructor pilot to go up with you. I know some guys that did that before flying single seat tailwheel ultralights. Keep me posted! Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ Brian FitzGerald - The Sky Surfer
Loved your introduction to your plane looks great would like to know how much money you’ve invest and how much in extras you look like you have great plane I would love to have one and just mite go for it also like the backyard flyer like to see someone as Meticulous as you detail it
Hi Brian, first off I'd like to say, love the videos, really appreciate them! Would you be able to do a video like this one on the MXL? Specs, flight characteristics, handling, takeoff and landing procedures, learning to fly one looks like great fun! Trying to find a good one used myself! Thank you so much! God bless!
Dear Nathan, That's a good idea. I might do that but it will be a while. I have two other movies in the can to edit first and another idea in my mind to shoot... It's a little dated but you might like what I had to say about the MX I used to fly in the 90's. It was part of my movie "A Beginner's Guide to Ultralight Flying". Here is a link: ua-cam.com/play/PLw-1AzkBKwvMcBpo1o9R0ejjzxS9opB0z.html Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ The Sky Surfer - Brian FitzGerald
Thanks! Since you liked Stanley's interview and airplane please check out others from UFM2 (Ultralight Flying Millennium 2) on my UA-cam Channel and pass the word. Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ ps: check out "Sky Surfing - The Flight Blog" for some Ultralight Adventures.
I just bought a Kolb Firefly kit. Hoping to put a Full Lotus Mono float on it. and perhaps a electric motor. does anyone have any experience or tips on these ideas? I live on the Champlain Islands in Lake Champlain and would love to float fly since I am surrounded by water ..
Dear Paul, The Kolb's are all good flyers. I don't know of anyone putting floats on them, though, and definitely have not heard of one with an electric motor. Let me know how it works out. Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ Brian FitzGerald - The Sky Surfer
@Brian FitzGerald First of all I'd like to say this is a very entertaining & informative video!!!!!!! Secondly, my grandfather was Theo Chitwood. He was a brother to Fredrick Chitwood & the son of Hattie (Armenia) & Ray Bannon Chitwood. I'd really like to get in touch with that part of my family. I've never met any of them & I have very little information about them. I'm hoping someone out there might read this comment & help me get in touch with them. Chitwood is not a common name & I'd almost have to be related to one. I'm in London & can be reached by e-mail at yahoo
Dear JD, I checked and figure there are two ways you can go. #1. Contact Kolb Aircraft and ask them about Stanley. They are the ones who put me on to him in the first place. #2. Try sending him a letter. If you send me your email address, I will forward you the last home address I had for him. I used it to send him a copy of the movie once I had finished it. I do not have his telephone number. Later, The Sky Surfer
Dear Capn, Thanks again. I will be releasing some movies I did in the 1990's pretty soon. You might like them, too. You can check back often OR sign up on my UA-cam Channel OR send your email address and I'll put you on the mailing list. Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™ Brian FitzGerald
Sorry, I don't have his email address but regardless I couldn't give it out over the web. When I shot this in 2009 he lived in 0 0 1 2 12 FitzGerald Video 1 1 13 14.0
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Brian FitzGerald :We need this dialect just in case we have whipped out all the aboriginal species (Injuns-Navaho, Pawnee, etc.) and have another war with a non English speaking country like Canada.
Great video... The Firefly is a beautiful aircarft and that was a very interesting and informative walk through, Stanley. Thank you. I'm not a fixed wing pilot, I fly a paramotor, but really appreciate the beauty and functionality of this amazing flying machine. Thank you too Brian
Glad you enjoyed it! Check out more of my movies at:
www.fitzvideo.com
Excellent real world breakdown of the Kolb Firefly and the Rotax 447. Thanks! I want one!
No problem. Go Here:
kolbaircraft.com/
Stanley really knows his stuff, very interesting tour and advice. Thank you, SkipRay, Kerry, Ireland.
I'm glad you liked it, Skip. By the way, I had the great fortune to visit Kerry back in the 1980's. It is quite beautiful. You might like some of my POV movies. Here is a good place to start:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/POVs.htm
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
Brian FitzGerald - The Sky Surfer
I enjoyed this so much. Thanks for sharing your airplane.
Talked to Stanley Monday night. We talked about your interview with him. He is doing well. Still has his Firefly and tries to fly occasionally but has a sick family member and farms full time so it don't leave much time. Thanks for sharing his love for flying. Barry Speaks Somerset Kentucky.
Thanks, Barry! I like Stanley a lot. I'm glad to hear he is doing well. I have been shooting a new type of flying movie you might like that you can find here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/POVs.htm
THANK YOU!, THIS IS VERY INDPIRATIONAL GOD BLESS YOU
Excellent Excellent Video! Thank you for your time and expertise. I'd love to come check that out sometime. Love the Blue Angel colors too!
Great video where an old farmer walks you around his Kolb!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍I can listen all day and night about information on your ultralight aircraft.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Excellent. I assume you have subscribed to my Channel. If not, GO HERE:
ua-cam.com/users/BrianFitzGerald-TheSkySurfer
Mahalo,
The Sky Surfer
Hello Brian, Excellent video. I just bought a Firefly and Mr. Chitwood's explanation was very good. (Not flown it yet, but soon.)
Dear Don,
Thank you very much. The trip to Tennessee was a great time for me. Stanley was very knowledgeable and helpful. I have always liked the Kolb designs and if I didn't have a Quicksilver I would have a Kolb.
I think you will like your Firefly a lot.
Since you are getting into that type of flying you might like "Sky Surfing - The Flite Blog™". It is an on-going collection of photo journalistic stories by me recounting my "Fun Flights" across the Prairie of Kansas and Oklahoma. You can get to it from my website (fitzvideo.com). It also features excellent aviation photos from contributors all over. I will be cranking up my flight adventure stories once the weather cooperates again. It was 11 degrees yesterday...
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
Brian FitzGerald
Did you get her airborne yet?
Don Wicklund so how's it fly bud?
Excellent pilot and explaining about your plane very nice built plane .Have a Good day! 4/24/2021
Thanks, you too! Stanley does a great job.
Hello Brian, Great job on the video! The interview with Stanley was awesome, he sounds like the kind of guy I'd love to shoot the breeze with! I found myself wishing the narrative was a little longer! I built/flew a Weedhopper with the Chotia motor, early 80's...flew a Qucksilver MX a few times back then too...now a partial Sonex in the garage...wondering if it'll ever get done...ultralights starting to look pretty good! This Kolb looks very practical and fun!
Mike in MA
I like a man who takes flying seriously. Some times you may only get one chance to get it right..
You did a very fine job
Wonderful video. Thanks for posting.
Really informative and well presented.
I've always enjoyed being up there since my first ride in 1930 when I was 4 years old.
Hi James, what kind of plane was your first ride in?
Thanks for the information, Brian! Your video answered a lot of my questions!
Excellent, Darrin! Check out some of my new POV movies. I think you will like them, too.
i love when people get excited about explaining the maintenance process. that's why i like motor sports
Well done!
Thanks. It was an interesting trip. I like Stanley and all Kolb Aircraft.
Excellent Stanley. Very informative.
Good show, excellent and informative.
Pete ,Valdosta Ga.
I am interested in and watch all the ultralight videos, but at my age will likely not fly one. These aircraft remind me of the vehicles in the early automotive industry, as just enough "to get by". To the young adventurous types, have fun and be safe!
Don't miss the other Ultralights! Go here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/UFM2.htm
Dear Mike,
I'm glad you liked it. I like Stan and he did a good job. Since you are considering Ultralights again, you would like "Sky Surfing - The Flite Blog™". I have been making fairly long flight adventures the last two Summers in my Quicksilver MXL and doing photo/journalism reports. You can find Sky Surfing on my website fitzvideo(dot)com.
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
Brian FitzGerald
I purchased a gorgeous Firestar 2 with the 503, I've been doing some fast taxiing at about 30-35 MPH with the tail up. As Chitwood suggested. I'm able to hold it pretty straight down the runway. I'm about ready to take her up. I have many hours in the Quicksilver MXL but none in a tail dragger. I agree, it wud be nice to be able to chat with Stanly to help us newbies. There is a grass or weedy area next to runway where I may do my first few landings. I paid 10 Grand for my plane with avionics and helmet and an enclosed trailer. I wanted an electric start but It starts easily.
Dear Randy,
Man, that is great! I really like the Kolb Two Seater. It is a fine plane. I can't give out Stan's number but he lived in the vicinity of the Kolb factory so maybe you can find him by using the directory service.
Doing your first landings on grass is a good idea. Another is to get an experienced tailwheel flying buddy or instructor pilot to go up with you. I know some guys that did that before flying single seat tailwheel ultralights.
Keep me posted!
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
Brian FitzGerald - The Sky Surfer
Excellent video - very informative :-)
Great video!
That was a great vid!
Loved your introduction to your plane looks great would like to know how much money you’ve invest and how much in extras you look like you have great plane I would love to have one and just mite go for it also like the backyard flyer like to see someone as Meticulous as you detail it
OMG! That accent must be really exciting with ATC controllers.
Hi Brian, first off I'd like to say, love the videos, really appreciate them! Would you be able to do a video like this one on the MXL? Specs, flight characteristics, handling, takeoff and landing procedures, learning to fly one looks like great fun! Trying to find a good one used myself! Thank you so much! God bless!
Dear Nathan,
That's a good idea. I might do that but it will be a while. I have two other movies in the can to edit first and another idea in my mind to shoot...
It's a little dated but you might like what I had to say about the MX I used to fly in the 90's. It was part of my movie "A Beginner's Guide to Ultralight Flying". Here is a link:
ua-cam.com/play/PLw-1AzkBKwvMcBpo1o9R0ejjzxS9opB0z.html
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
The Sky Surfer - Brian FitzGerald
Thanks! Since you liked Stanley's interview and airplane please check out others from UFM2 (Ultralight Flying Millennium 2) on my UA-cam Channel and pass the word.
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
ps: check out "Sky Surfing - The Flight Blog" for some Ultralight Adventures.
early morning flying is the best!
Don't miss the other Ultralights! Go here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/UFM2.htm
I just bought a Kolb Firefly kit. Hoping to put a Full Lotus Mono float on it. and perhaps a electric motor. does anyone have any experience or tips on these ideas? I live on the Champlain Islands in Lake Champlain and would love to float fly since I am surrounded by water ..
Dear Paul,
The Kolb's are all good flyers. I don't know of anyone putting floats on them, though, and definitely have not heard of one with an electric motor.
Let me know how it works out.
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
Brian FitzGerald - The Sky Surfer
This is an amazing and informational video
Thanks! I hope you have seen the whole movie. If not, go HERE:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/Launch_Ultralights.htm
Is he related to Joey, the famous stunt car driver? If so this family can drive / fly anything!
I don't know but Don't miss the other Ultralights! Go here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/UFM2.htm
I just wanted to fly around the pea patch
Stanley is an American Original.
@Brian FitzGerald First of all I'd like to say this is a very entertaining & informative video!!!!!!! Secondly, my grandfather was Theo Chitwood. He was a brother to Fredrick Chitwood & the son of Hattie (Armenia) & Ray Bannon Chitwood. I'd really like to get in touch with that part of my family. I've never met any of them & I have very little information about them. I'm hoping someone out there might read this comment & help me get in touch with them. Chitwood is not a common name & I'd almost have to be related to one. I'm in London & can be reached by e-mail at yahoo
Dear JD,
I checked and figure there are two ways you can go.
#1. Contact Kolb Aircraft and ask them about Stanley. They are the ones who put me on to him in the first place.
#2. Try sending him a letter. If you send me your email address, I will forward you the last home address I had for him. I used it to send him a copy of the movie once I had finished it. I do not have his telephone number.
Later,
The Sky Surfer
@@BrianFitzGerald-TheSkySurfer My e-mail address is jdcrowe82@yahoo.com
Love that Tennessee accent!
I liked the tape on the tape in the EIS. They laugh at me when I do it.
Don't miss the other Ultralights! Go here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/UFM2.htm
is the wing clipped on that firefly
?
Do you have to have a pilot's license to fly an ultralight like this one? What is the rule?
(11 month late comment..lol) no, you do not need a licence to fly a FAR part 103 Ultralight.
no license or medical needed
Kolb have sail plane wings?
I figure if I keep the wing below 80#
Yes. They also have a two seat model called the Mark III. Go here:
kolbaircraft.com
It is stock.
Dear Capn,
Thanks again. I will be releasing some movies I did in the 1990's pretty soon. You might like them, too. You can check back often OR sign up on my UA-cam Channel OR send your email address and I'll put you on the mailing list.
Blue Skies & Tailwinds!™
Brian FitzGerald
How hard is it to disassemble and put in a trailer?
It is very easy.
This guy should be selling real estate, used cars, refrigerators to eskimos, he’s a good old boy.
Don't miss the other Ultralights! Go here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/UFM2.htm
4:35 for those Type A personalties
Don't miss the other Ultralights! Go here:
www.fitzvideo.com/Pages/UFM2.htm
Hi Brian,
Do you have Stanley's email address? I would like to talk to him.
Thanks,
Eric
Sorry, I don't have his email address but regardless I couldn't give it out over the web. When I shot this in 2009 he lived in
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Summerset
KY. You can try the phone book there.
how much?
Go here:
kolbaircraft.com/
fine
Nice.i.want.speach.you.hindi
Kentucky dialect English is all you are going to get. Find a translator.
*
his accent is not for not native English language,
This is called The Kentucky Dialect. No problem understanding if you live in America.
Brian FitzGerald :We need this dialect just in case we have whipped out all the aboriginal species (Injuns-Navaho, Pawnee, etc.) and have another war with a non English speaking country like Canada.