Gives Details Of New Models At Oshkosh

Comp Air's Ron Lueck shared details for two big new models -- the Comp Air 9, and the newly re-engined Comp Air 12 -- at a Tuesday press conference at AirVenture 2006.

The Comp Air 9 is billed as an eight-passenger, fixed tri-gear turbine single powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 producing 940 shaft horsepower (SHP). The big engine is projected to propel the Comp Air 9 skyward at more than 2000 fpm at the plane's MTOW of 7,700 lbs, and produce cruise speeds of 240 KTAS.

The Comp Air 12 is an eight- to ten-place retract sporting a Honeywell TPE-331-14GR producing a whopping 1650 SHP. With the gear tucked away Comp Air expects 300 KTAS out of this turboprop speed demon.

"It looks like a Pilatus; I don't know how that happened," said Lueck. "We're all about big now; big engines and big planes. My wife thinks I need a big plane to carry around my ego."

Eyes sparkling with the pending surprise, Lueck mentioned the "C" word, "We are in the early stages -- exploration really -- of FAA certification for these two models. There is a market demand to certify these planes."  He conservatively pegged the prices at $1.5 million for the 9, and $2.5 million for the 12.

Avionics for the two new models remains TBD, this despite Comp Air's affiliation with OP Technologies on other projects. "We're having problems with OP Technologies and probably won't be using them for these aircraft."

In another surprise announcement, Comp Air will drop the Merlin LSA kit. According to Lueck, "After Cessna's little announcement on Monday, what's the point? Besides, it's not big!"

Lueck says his workload has been almost unbearable since his partner Steve Young retired. "I've forgotten what it feels like to sleep!" Consequently, some projects that should've been done by now - he specifically mentioned the Comp Air Jet - aren't as Lueck works to take up the slack. Comp Air is also in the midst of building a new manufacturing facility.

In other announcements, Lueck informed the attendees that Honeywell's TPE-331 series engines are now available for all kits. Marsh Aviation is partnered with Comp Air to provide engineering assistance for installations and customer maintenance. Lueck also expects Marsh's experience for help with certification issues on the Comp Air 9 and 12.

FMI: www.aerocompinc.com