Canadian Manufacturer Updates Composite Kitplane Design

By ANN Correspondent Juan Jimenez

Partenair Design Inc., a Montreal-based kitplane manufacturer, introduced the Mystere Mark II today at Sun-N-Fun 2003. The Mark II is an update of the original Mystere Mark I, a sleek, fighter-like low-wing homebuilt composite aircraft with tandem seating for two and a pusher engine configuration.

Externally, the aircraft's looks have not changed, but company officials told ANN that they have made the following changes.

The engine installation has been modified by raising it four inches higher than on the Mark I design. This allows the Mark II to use a 70 inch prop versus the 61 inch maximum propeller diameter on the Mark I. This new propeller configuration improves takeoff performance and results in an additional 8 mph increase in cruise airspeed. In keeping with most pusher propeller configurations, the designer continues to recommend only wood or composite props for the aircraft.

The engine cowl has been modified with the addition of NACA scoops at the top for improved engine cooling. The propeller installation also helps to draw air through the cowling to further improve the flow over the cylinders.

The company also reports that they have five customer aircraft under construction - one in Italy and four in Montreal, at the company's customer assistance center. The kit price remains at $27,500. There is a fast build option available for an additional $6,000, but at press time the company is offering free fast build options to the next five customers to purchase kits. The customer assistance center, located in Montreal, is meant to help the customer get up to speed in the skills needed to complete the aircraft, and is estimated to cut some 300 hours or so off the total estimated build time of 1,500 hours.

The kit price does not include engine, instrumentation, upholstery or paint, but it does include all the jigs for construction of the aircraft. In fact, the boxes for shipment of the kit parts are the jigs! This clever feature helps the builder to correctly set up and complete the aircraft components without having to build, rent or beg for borrowed jigs.

Fmi: www.partenairdesign.com