The Kolb Flyer SS is a light-sport aircraft (LSA) that emerged from a collaborative international effort to modernize an existing ultralight design. The aircraft's origins trace back to the Ultravia Pelican, which was originally designed by Jean René Lepage. New Kolb Aircraft eventually acquired this design and adapted it to create the Flyer SS, positioning the aircraft as a contemporary offering within the light-sport category.
Production of the Flyer SS began in 2008, resulting from a joint venture between the United States-based New Kolb Aircraft and Flyer Indústria Aeronáutica of Brazil. The aircraft completed its first flight in April 2008 and was officially launched to the public in July 2008 during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event. While a definitive total for factory production is not confirmed in available records, one source indicates that approximately 75 aircraft had been in operation following the model's 2008 market introduction.
The development of the Flyer SS is part of a broader legacy established by Homer Kolb, who founded Kolb Aircraft in 1980. Homer Kolb's contributions to the field of light aviation began much earlier, with the development of the original Kolb Flyer in 1969 and a first flight of that initial design occurring in 1970. This long history of kit-built ultralights provided the foundation for the Flyer SS. Across its entire product history, the company and its successors have produced more than 3,500 aircraft, though the Flyer SS represents only a specific portion of that total output.
In terms of operational use, the Flyer SS was designed exclusively for civil aviation as a light-sport aircraft. There is no record of the model being adopted for military service or used in any combat capacity. While the aircraft is recognized for its lineage and its role in the LSA market, specific technical data regarding its engine model, horsepower, and airframe dimensions were not detailed in the available production records. The Kolb Aircraft name remains active today, continuing the legacy started by Homer Kolb.