Homer E. Kolb, 78, plane designer

Homer E. Kolb, 78, of Phoenixville, an aeronautics innovator who developed ultralight aircraft, died Saturday at Phoenixville Hospital after cardiac surgery.

Mr. Kolb received several awards for his aviation accomplishments and in 1999 was inducted into the Experimental Aircraft Association's Ultralight Hall of Fame. He was considered the first person to construct a plane lighter than man, said his son, Marcus, adding that the Smithsonian Institution requested one of Mr. Kolb's early ultralights for display in its National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

For 25 years, Mr. Kolb operated a 100-acre farm in Phoenixville, drove a tractor-trailer for United Parcel Service at night to support his family, and worked on designs for aircraft that looked like nothing anyone had seen before, his son said.

In the 1960s, Mr. Kolb constructed a 138-pound plane that resembled a dragonfly, with its wingspan extending over a long tail Four chain-saw engines powered it. "It was a good little airplane," he told an Inquirer reporter in 1999. "I flew it a lot."

The plane and its descendants brought Mr. Kolb so much attention that in 1980 he launched a business producing light-aircraft kits and plans. After selling Kolb Co. to his employees in 1994, he spent his retirement restoring antique John Deere tractors, including a 1919 Waterloo Boy, which he exhibited at farm shows. He also continued to work on aircraft designs and was close to completing an all-electric-powered airplane with his son.

Mr. Kolb told the reporter in 1999 that from the time he was a toddler he had been fascinated with birds and their ability to fly. A neighbor paid for his first flight when he was 14.

"The pilot let me fly a bit," Mr. Kolb said. "He took me over my dad's farm. I'll never forget that." He spent his pocket money on flying lessons at Pottstown-Limerick Airport and earned a pilot's license at 16.

As a conscientious objector, he did alternative service after World War II in West Germany, building homes for refugees for Pax, a program sponsored by the Mennonite Church. He documented his service with a movie camera and enjoyed reunions over the years with Pax participants.

In 1954, he married Clara Moyer, whom he had met in a church-sponsored youth chorus. She said in the 1999 article that he had courted her by flying a plane low over her family's farm, turning down the engine, and yelling, "Hi, Clara!" much to the annoyance of her older brother.

Mr. Kolb dropped out of the ninth grade at Spring City High School to help his father farm. For years he attended AirVenture Conventions in Oshkosh, Wis., with other flying enthusiasts to learn from experienced engineers and builders. Later he taught others. "I used to be the guy sitting under those tents. Then I was the guy giving the talks," he told the reporter.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Kolb is survived by daughters Christine Balmer and Joan Kucharic, a sister, a brother, and eight grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Vincent Mennonite Church, 39 Seven Stars Rd., Spring City, where friends may call after 9.

Memorial donations may be made to Jungle Aviation & Radio Service Inc., Box 248, Waxhaw, N.C. 28173.