This week on the channel +154K views this week

A pump-free Italian engine powers Experimental Aircraft Channel's Kolb visit

Charles introduces the Zeus 300 on a Firefly ultralight at the Hodges Field fly-in.

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Experimental Aircraft Channel Story of November 11, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.

NEW Italian Engine for Ultralight Aircraft! 2-Stroke - 2Cyl KOLB in Testing

Things we can learn from the video

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0:30Charles identifies the Zeus 300 as an Italian twin-cylinder two-stroke fitted to the Kolb Firefly.
1:40Coolant circulates without a water pump, which Charles says requires the engine's vertical mounting position.
3:15Charles explains warm-up requirements, gearbox reduction and engine speeds for takeoff and cruise.
6:07Charles estimates fuel consumption and gives a suggested overhaul interval.
7:05Kolb's business update covers kits, quick builds, canopy options and Firefly pricing.

The mounting position matters. The Italian engine on Kolb's Firefly circulates coolant without a water pump, Charles explains, so its upright installation isn't just a packaging choice.

That engineering detail gives Experimental Aircraft Channel's only new upload this week its talking point. At the Hodges Field Ultralight Fly-in, the host meets Charles from Kolb Aircraft beside a Firefly fitted with the Sky Engines Zeus 300. Charles describes a lightweight twin-cylinder two-stroke, comparing its smoothness and noise with the Rotax engines Kolb used to run. Taxiing and takeoff footage breaks up the questions about cooling, gearing and fuel consumption. The episode also includes sponsor announcements.

The visit has drawn about 32,000 views. In the comments, viewers ask whether the engine can be mounted horizontally, whether a water pump would offer more reassurance, and who would maintain an aircraft like this for an owner without mechanical skills. Those are practical ownership questions, not just admiration for something that flies.

Engine changes also connect the new visit to the channel's strongest source of daily viewing: its earlier Blackshape PRIME upgrade feature. That video is attracting more than twice the new Kolb upload's daily views, while August's Badland Aircraft overview remains active too.

Subscribers held steady across the week, and today's viewing is running at roughly half the channel's usual daily level. Nearby aviation channels Taking Off and FarFlight had much larger viewing weeks. Here, the Kolb visit finishes by moving from the engine to the builder's choices: kits, quick builds and new canopy options for the Firefly.

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What viewers say

Will most A&P’s be willing to do maintenance on these type of aircraft? I don’t have the mechanical aptitude to work on it myself, even if the regs allow it.
@GeneralSirDouglasMcASee it on YouTube
E-Props on a petrol engine of paramotor design. Interesting amalgamation of technologies.
@malibu188See it on YouTube
The moment Kolb brings back the Slingshot I'll drive to their office with a briefcase full of cash and beg them to take my money!
@FlyingShotsmanSee it on YouTube

5 more comments

YOU REALLY ASK A GREAT LINE OF QUESTIONS, BRIAN...THANKS !!!
@Bert828282See it on YouTube
A vertically opposed 2-stroke is a really interesting engine! I wonder if it's a precursor to a 4-cylinder radial 🤔.
@rochboulanger6565See it on YouTube
when are they going to come out with a good 4 stroke engine fuel injection that is light weight
@JMT9687See it on YouTube
Can you mount it horizontally. 56 lbs is so dang light. What' rpm does it rev to or cruise at..
@keithschneider6348See it on YouTube
A water pump would give me more assurance .....
@straightchad8059See it on YouTube