Mon, Jul 13, 2009
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
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