Just A Bit Further Than Last Time

by ANN Correspondent Chris Esposito

Aiming for certification in the first quarter of 2010, Comp Air Inc. says its upcoming Comp Air 12 turboprop has generated considerable interest in the aviation community.

With the ability to climb to altitudes as high as 29,000 feet and cruise at 310 knots, the 12 packs an impressively powerful Honeywell turbine that allows for a 2800 foot-per-minute climb at gross weight. The Comp Air 12 is an all-composite aircraft and will have seating for 8-10. With an estimated fuel burn of 71 gallons an hour, maximum range will be an impressive 2,535 nautical miles.

The owner of Comp Air, Ron Lueck, is emphasizing the importance of safety throughout the certification process. "It's very personal. I'm the one building it, and I'm the one flying it," he says.

Honeywell representatives have been monitoring the engine, and working with Comp Air to assure that safety is paramount. The current prototype that will be flying to Oshkosh includes a liquid fire suppression system in the engine compartment, a heat detection system using FLIR technology, and SOAP testing every 50-100 hours to check on engine wear.

The Honeywell TPE331-14GR engine provides 1,650 horsepower, and requires an overhaul after an impressive 9000 hours. The Comp Air 12 will also include a fiber optic strain detector provided by Micron Optics. The same technology used on Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, the fiber optic health monitoring system will allow for the structural integrity of the airframe to be assessed continuously. This health monitoring system also includes vibration gauges and strain sensors placed throughout the wing and stabs. Literally hundreds of hours of data can be stored, so temperatures, pressures, and vibrations can be monitored throughout the testing process and any changes can be examined.

Certification for the Comp Air 12 is still a few years away... and the company is currently seeking funding to build the Comp Air 12 production model. Power will stay the same, though the fuselage will be 42" larger than the current version, and the horizontal stabilizer will be integrated into the fuselage instead of being on top of it. The size of the vertical stabilizer will also be increased... because as one can imagine, the 1,650 horsepower engine requires a lot of rudder.

Comp Air has been consulting with Downing Aviation Associates to assist in the certification and funding process, and the eventual goal is to produce 100 Comp Air 12's a year. Manufacturing of the aircraft is likely to occur off-site from Comp Air's current facility in Merritt Island, FL. While no deposits will be taken on the aircraft until NBAA, Comp Air has many letters of intent from prospective buyers. The new conforming aircraft will be started by the end of 2007, with possible changes including a Honeywell Apex avionics suite and a second door for the crew.

As with the plane's public unveiling at Lakeland earlier this year, the Comp Air 12 will be flown to AirVenture by Lueck himself. The 12 will be on display from July 23-29 at display #305/306, next to Aeroshell Square.

FMI: www.aerocompinc.com