Homer Kolb: A Dear Friend To ALL Who Loved To Fly

As I get older, I realize that times like these will come with greater frequency... but that does not lessen the impact of the losses of the people who have been a part of my flying life for decades. This time, a gentle, sweet, giving man with tremendous character and personal integrity has gone to meet the God he devoted his life to.

Ultralight designer, pioneer and manufacturer, Homer Kolb, has gone west.

Kolb (78) hailed from Phoenixville, Pa., and developed a number of highly regarded ultralight and experimental airframes starting with the release of his first commercially successful designs in 1980. Preceding the formal definitions of FAR Part 103, Homer's excellent designs withstood the test of time in terms of handling qualities, integrity and utility. Hundreds of Kolb designs dating back to the 80s are undoubtedly still flying highly as we write this...

Some of my earliest and best moments in aviation journalism revolved around meeting Homer out at his farm to fly and test his latest designs and modifications... all the while enjoying the company of a truly pleasant man who wanted nothing more than to be a credit to God, a friend to his fellow flyers, and sit back at the end of the day feeling as if he added something good to the world in the preceding 24 hours. Of all the personalities I have met in this business, I have yet to hear a single solitary soul utter the scarcest unkind comment about this great and gifted man.

As soon as we have more info, ANN will post funeral and memorial details ... but in no uncertain terms, this is a man that we will miss... greatly. Godspeed, Homer... we hope that heaven is every bit as great as we know you deserve. -- Jim Campbell, ANN Editor-In-Chief, Unrepentant Kolb Friend/Admirer

FMI: www.kolbsport.com