Hope To Have Certification By 2012

Comp Air Aviation announced Monday that despite hard economic times, they are on track to certify the Comp Air 12, a single engine turboprop, by the first quarter of 2012.

Although efforts have slowed, the company says they continue to work towards full certification.  Comp Air just signed an agreement with Honeywell to equip the Comp Air 12 with one of the most sophisticated avionics system in the industry; the Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite.  The company's move to Melbourne International Airport from its current location in Merritt Island, FL has also been delayed, but Comp Air is confident the new manufacturing facility in Melbourne, Florida will open before the end of the year.

In other developments, Comp Air Aviation is now has optional equipment offerings for the Comp Air 9 that enable our customers to equip their aircraft to their specific operational needs. One such item is from Honeywell's Bendix /King, general aviation avionics division, and is from their Apex Edge Series; the KFD 840 primary flight display and the KSN 770 which is the latest in digital Nav/Com radio technology. The Comp Air 9 will be sold as an experimental aircraft, but with an eye toward certification soon after the Comp Air 12. The company claims the Comp Air 9 is the fastest, fixed gear-turboprop aircraft.

Comp Air 12 File Photo

Comp Air Aviation also said Monday that their new Comp Air 11, single engine turboprop aircraft will be finished and ready for first flight by November of this year. The CA-11 has been in production for about a year now and should be ready for sale in January. "The Comp Air 11 will be the fastest single engine turbine on the market today" says Ron Lueck, Comp Air Aviation's owner.

All three of Comp Air Aviation's new turboprop aircraft will fit into the new "Green" technology by offering fuel efficient turbine engines from Honeywell. Comp Air says they chose the Honeywell engine due to their work in flex-fuel capability. Both the Comp Air 11 and 12 are equipped with the Honeywell TPE331-14GR engine, while the Comp Air 9 will be using the Honeywell TPE331-12 turbine. Both claim fuel efficiency much higher than the comparable engines, as well as higher TBO limits making them less expensive to maintain.

FMI: www.compairaviation.com