New Fowler Flap Kit Also Available

Things are moving right along at Merritt Island, FL-based Aerocomp Inc. Aside from continued flight testing and a new engine for their owner-built single-engine Comp Air Jet (CA-J,) the company has also mated the fuselage of their new Comp Air 12 turboprop to its low-mounted wing assembly.

The next step for the Comp Air 12 will be mounting a mock-up engine to the cradle, in order to assure proper fitting of the nose cowling assembly. The company will then fit a Lycoming T-53 turbine to the airframe, rated at 1400 hp. Next, the empennage will be finished, and landing gear will be installed. Once flight controls are linked up and interior fittings are complete, the aircraft will be ready for its maiden flight.

"The Comp Air 12 is an entirely new concept in kit-built aircraft, which puts this unique turbine next to the [Comp Air Jet] and squarely on the top of the experimental industry," says a company press release.

Speaking of the Comp Air Jet, flight testing continues on this single-engine, 8-passenger, owner-built jet that some say resembles a "scaled down Citation" in appearance. Aerocomp has replaced the CA-J's original AI-25 turbofan with the upgraded AI-25TL powerplant -- the same Ukrainian engine that powers the Czech L-39 trainer.

Aerocomp states the switch to the AI-25TL was made to increase fuel efficiency, reduce visible smoke and improve performance. The engine change is not expected to disrupt the ongoing flight test program, according to the company.

Aerocomp has also created a new flap system for its line of high-wing aircraft. The slotted Fowler-flap system, available on most new Aerocomp kits, is said to decrease stall speed by 5 kts, and reduce landing and takeoff distances by 25 percent.

The flap system can also be retrofitted to older airplanes without opening up the wing.

FMI: www.aerocompinc.com