The Aerocomp News Volume 3 Issue 2 Summer 1999 New: 8 Turboprop Flying High Comp Air 10XL ruising comfortably at 200 to 250 mph (TAS@21,000ft), with a useful load of C up to 2500 lbs, Aerocomp’s new will carry 6 adults plus a couple children in comfort and style. Individual bucket seats are provided for six adults, with ample leg and head room, and a bench seat is provided for seating 2 children.

The 31½ ft long Comp Air 8 is 2 feet longer than the popular , and is e thought it was big before! designed to take full advantage of the Walter 601 turboprop engine’s outstanding W Aerocomp’s new s-t-r-e-t-c-h load-carrying capability. This airplane will fly great, though, equipped with any version of the Comp Air 10 is now even engine from 350HP to 660 HP. With 237 sq. feet of wing area, the Comp Air 8 can bigger. easily accomodate a 4800 lb. gross weight (approximately 2500 lbs. useful). For real heavy haulers, optional 5200 lb. gross weight reinforcements are available. Dubbed “XL” for “extra long”, Tapered wings for faster cruise are included as a standard feature on the Comp Air 8. Aerocomp Inc. has responded to customer demand by introducing an extended length Comp Air 10. The stretched version is now 30 feet 9inches long, adding a full 23.25 cubic feet to the whopping 242 cubic feet interior cabin capacity of the Comp Air 10.

The Comp Air 10XL, like Aerocomp’s other products, is built from kits sold by the Merritt Island, FL company. The company specializes in manufacturing kits for modern all-composite airplanes. The Comp Air 10XL is the largest member of the Aerocomp family of COMP AIR 8 Turboprop Photo Credit: Mr. Lou Furlong, Sr. airplanes. It’s siblings include aircraft ranging in size from 2 to 11 seats, Comp Air 8 Specifications powered by engines of 65 to 650 hp, and cruising at speeds from 70 to 300 mph. Wing Span 35 ft Comp Air 8 Airframe Kit Wing Area 237 ft2 only $59,995 US Aerocomp’s airplanes may be built with Height 9 ft conventional, tricycle, or float landing gear. Each model is easily customized Length 31½ ft Continued on Page 2 to best suit the needs of each builder. Seats 8 Inside This Issue Engine 660 hp Walter Gross Weight 4800 to 5200 lbs. 1 NEW: Comp Air 8 Turboprop Flying High Empty Weight 2500 to 2700 lbs. 2 You Thought It Was Big Before: See the Comp Air 10XL Useful Load 2300 to 2500 lbs. VNE 209 mph IAS 3 New Video Available by Rotor/Wing Sports TV 250 mph TAS Cruise 4 Builder Report: Captain Brian Boucher's Subaru (21,000 ft) Vso 45 mph IAS 5 Turbine Pilot Proficiency Certification Training Available 2 The Aerocomp News Comp Air 8 New Affordable Turbine Engine Continued from Page 1 ffordable turbine engines for personal aircraft -- could it really happen? A Have you ever dreamed of being able to afford the luxury and power of Because the Comp Air 8 is intended flying your own personal turbine powered airplane? The reliability, power, as a high performance, fast-flying performance, and ease-of-operation offered by modern turboprop engines load-carrying airplane, specially makes them ideal candidates for cross-country flying. reinforced (carbon) fuselage and tail group members are included as standard features on the Comp Air 8. Aerocomp, Inc. and Paden Foundries (manufacturer of high performance race car engines) have been researching the feasibility of manufacturing and 1 marketing a new affordable turbine engine suitable for aircraft requiring 250 The Comp Air 8 boasts a 46 /2” wide cabin, sports 100% mass balanced to 400 hp. A prototype engine is under development and will be introduced in controls for high cruise speeds, has the near future. (Check the Aerocomp, Inc. booth at EAA AirVenture ‘99 - specially reinforced oversize tail Oshkosh for a possible “first peek” at the new engine). surfaces for stability and control, includes an aerodynamically efficient A recent increase in the supply of turboprop engines from “raked” windshield, and has flush- former Soviet-bloc countries has helped some sport pilots to mounted landing gear and flush-fit thermopane doors. be able to enjoy the luxury of turbine power. Aerocomp, Inc. has enjoyed great success with experimental applications of As with all Aerocomp kit-built 600 + hp Walter 601 turboprop engines (manufactured in the airplanes, total fuel capacity is Czech Republic). Many aircraft do not need so much power, determined by the builder, who has the however, and could benefit from the lower fuel burn of smaller option of installing fuel tanks capable engines. of carrying as much as 150 gallons. (Pictured left: Walter 601 turboprop aircraft engine).

In the past, the development and certification costs of turboprop engines have AIRSHOWS kept the prices out of reach for most sport and recreational pilots. Instead, Visit Aerocomp at: engine manufacturers have focused on providing turbine engines for airline and military use, leaving sport pilots with few options other than traditional EAA Oshkosh AirVenture ‘99 reciprocating engines. The new 250 to 400 hp turboprop engines envisioned Oshkosh, Wisconsin by Aerocomp, Inc. and Paden Foundries should be available at prices July 28 - August 3, 1999 competitive with reciprocating engines, while offering substantial weight savings and exceptional reliability.

Aerocomp “Skunkworks” Aerocomp, Inc. and Paden Foundries have jointly invested the seed capital What secrets projects are keeping required to develop a prototype engine. Additional investment capital is needed everyone busy in the Aerocomp to complete testing and tooling, and to bring the engine into production “skunkworks” research and (estimated $2 million). Limited shares in this enterprise are available for development facility? persons interested in investing in this unique ground-floor opportunity. Interested parties should contact Aerocomp, Inc. president Mr. Steve Young While we obviously can’t reveal all for details. of the company’s secrets here, our sources report that persistent rumors Further news about this project will be published as testing and development have been circulating around Merritt continues. Stay tuned.... Island during recent months about a set of giant floats that have been built for the Comp Air 8 turboprop. The - WANTED - rumors indicate that the airplane may Affordable turbine aircraft engines be destined to soon start flying from for sport and recreational airplanes water, instead of land. The Aerocomp News 3 See Aerocomp’s Amazing Airplanes in Action — New 1999 Video Footage Now Available —

otor/Wing Sports TV (of Macon, GA) The first show (#11 in the series) The second show (#12 in the series) R recently invested several days consists of a tour of the Skybuild features some great air-to-air video filming at Aerocomp, Inc.’s Merritt Builders Center facilities, and interviews footage of the Comp Air 6, Comp Air 7, Island, Florida facilities. Host Dan with Comp Air builders and with Comp Air 8, and Comp Air 10 flying over Leslie and his crew of professional film- Skybuild’s president, Mr. Steve Darrow. Florida’s popular Cocoa Beach (a few makers put together a couple 1/2-hour The show focuses on Skybuild’s unique miles south of Kennedy Space Center and television shows featuring both educational program for Comp Air kit Cape Canaveral). Numerous takeoffs and Aerocomp, Inc. and Skybuild. builders, shows aircraft under various landings, high speed passes, slow flight, Aerocomp, Inc. manufactures the Comp stages of construction, and describes how climbs, descents, and cruise flight are Air family of kit-built airplanes and Skybuild can enable a builder to shown. The 1/2 hour show provides a Skybuild is a builder assistance center complete the major structural fiberglass lot of details about these airplanes, dedicated to helping Comp Air owners portion of his project in only 12 to 20 including interior close-ups, startup and complete their airplanes in a safe and days. Skybuild’s program helps speed taxiing scenes, ground handling, timely manner. along the initial assembly of the wings, interviews with company personnel and fuselage, landing gear, empennage, and builder/pilot interviews. Copies of this The 1/2 hour TV segments are part of control surfaces, and helps to ensure that professionally produced TV show (plus Rotor/Wing Sports TV’s aviation series, primary structural components are additional amateur-quality camcorder broadcast weekly in the US on the correctly assembled. video footage) are available as part of Outdoor Channel. Aerocomp’s $20 literature and video “Information Package” (order below). “The only way to learn more about these airplanes is to visit the factory and fly one.” Demo flights and factory tours are available most days (during normal business hours) at Aerocomp, Inc.’s Merritt Island, Florida airport facilities. Visitors are welcome.

Order Your Aerocomp, Inc. Video and Literature Package Today ... only $20 (U.S. orders)

Clip and Mail to: Aerocomp, Inc. - 2335 Newfound Harbor Dr. - Merritt Island, FL 32952 USA $20 Telephone or Fax: 1-407-453-6641 | http://AEROCOMPinc.com

o YES, please send me the Aerocomp, Inc. Video and Literature Package. I’ve enclosed $20 US to help cover costs (foreign orders please add $5 overseas shipping). -- VISA, Mastercard, US Check, or US Money Order -- (Please Circle One)

VISA or Mastercard Account Number Expiry Date

NAME: ADDRESS: CITY and STATE/PROVINCE: ZIP or POSTAL CODE: COUNTRY: 4 The Aerocomp News TURBINE PILOT PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION COURSE

iloting a high performance GROUND LESSON #1 FLIGHT LESSON #3 aircraft like the Comp Air 7 P TURBINE ENGINE FUNDAMENTALS TURBINE OPERATIONS Turboprop, Comp Air 8, or Comp Air (3 hours minimum) 10 will only remain a dream for many (2 hours minimum) Lesson Content: Description and Purpose: To enable pilot to conduct pilots. For those fortunate enough to discussion of terminology, turbine be able to fulfill those dreams, normal in-flight operations without engine components and their function, Aerocomp Inc. has, in cooperation assistance, and to introduce pilot to significance of Torque, ITT, N , N , with insurance companies, designed a 1 2 normal takeoffs and landings. Turbine Pilot Proficiency Oil Temp/Pressure limitations, etc. Certification Course that will FLIGHT LESSON #4 provide new owners and pilots of these GROUND LESSON #2 TAKEOFF and LANDING PRACTICE aircraft with the training, knowledge, TURBINE ENGINE OPERATIONS (2 hours minimum) and skills necessary to operate their (2 hours minimum) Purpose: To enable pilot to conduct aircraft safely. Lesson Content: Starting and all normal flight operations without Shutdown, Climb/Cruise/Descent, assistance, including normal takeoffs Taught by factory demonstration Emergency Procedures, Care and pilots, experienced FAA Certified and landings. Pilot will be introduced Routine/Scheduled Maintenance. Flight Instructors, guest lecturers, and to maximum performance operations experienced turbine pilots, the course and crosswind takeoffs/landings. will enable piston pilots to safely GROUND LESSON #3 transition to turbine operations, and TURBINE ENGINE OPERATIONS FLIGHT LESSON #5 provides the training required to (1 hour minimum) MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE qualify for full insurance coverage. Lesson Content: Lesson will be TAKE-OFFS and LANDINGS Attached is a copy of the proposed conducted in the aircraft, with PRACTICE (1 hour minimum) course syllabus (subject to change). practice engine start-up, monitoring, Purpose: To enable pilot to conduct and shutdown. maximum performance takeoffs and PREREQUISITES: landings, and crosswind takeoffs and • Private Pilot License FLIGHT LESSON #1 landings. (with Instrument Rating) PRELIMINARY FLIGHT EVALUATION • Current Medical, BFR, ICC (1 hour minimum) FLIGHT LESSON #6 • 500 hours Total Time Purpose: To determine applicant’s INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, • Min. 100 hours complex, readiness to begin Turbine Engine PROCEDURES in TURBINE high-performance aircraft Flight Training with a review and AIRCRAFT (2 hours minimum) evaluation of overall pilot skills. Purpose: To enable pilot to conduct COURSE CONTENT: normal IFR operations in turbine- • 7 hours Ground Training FLIGHT LESSON #2 equipped aircraft. (minimum) TURBINE FAMILIARIZATION • 11 hours Flight Training (2 hours minimum) LESSON #7 (2 hours minimum) (minimum) Purpose: To introduce pilot to aircraft COURSE COMPLETION and engine, including aircraft and EVALUATION and TURBINE COMPLETION: engine normal operations, PILOT PROFICIENCY Aerocomp, Inc. Turbine Pilot emergency procedures, and CERTIFICATION Proficiency Certification limitations. TEXTS: • Turbine Pilot’s Flight Manual: (Brown and Holt, Iowa State An oral Knowledge Review Univ. Press, 1995 ISBN 0813829003) and Evaluation followed by • Pilot’s Operating Handbook: Walter Turbine-Powered Comp Air 7, comprehensive Flight Evaluation in Comp Air 8, Comp Air 10 (Aerocomp, Inc. 1999) Walter turboprop equipped Comp Air • Walter M601D Maintenance Manual: Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4 7, Comp Air 8, or Comp Air 10. The Aerocomp News 5 Builder Report: Capt. Brian Boucher

uto-power! Chevy, Ford, VW, Subaru, etc. For years, there has been Boucher has equipped his Comp Air Astrong interest among potential airplane builders in the use of auto-based 6 with some great features: powerplants. Although interest in these powerplants has been strong, most of our builders who have successfully completed their airplanes and are now While he’s been working on his flying them installed Lycoming or Continental powerplants. airplane, he has often enjoyed listening to the high-quality Blaupunkt CD Stereo unit installed in his airplane. During flight, Boucher and his passengers will have the option of listening to the stereo system through the built-in stereo speakers or the built-in 6-place intercom. Sound quality is excellent. For passenger comfort, Boucher opted to utilize a “club” seating arrangement that enhances passenger interaction.

Gradually, the number of people successfully flying automotive conversions may be increasing. Shown above is former Canadian bush pilot and current Air Canada Captain Brian Boucher, who is nearing completion of his Subaru SVX-powered Comp Air 6. Captain Boucher purchased the engine from Crossflow Aero Corp. (www.crossflow.com), and reports that Crossflow has For his own pleasure, Boucher has been instrumental in helping with the installation. The 6 cylinder liquid-cooled installed a full IFR panel, which is horizontally-opposed piston powerplant is dyno-rated at 250 HP at 5925 rpm. complete with a Furono color moving A New Horizon Concepts (Boyd, TX) 2.17:1 gear reduction unit turns the 84" map GPS Fish Finder. That’s right: a wooden 2-blade Hendrickson Rowbear propeller (Woodstock, IL). GPS Fish Finder! Boucher hopes to eventually equip his airplane with The Crossflow Subaru SVX floats, and plans on using it as a conversion is fitted with a fishing platform on some of his custom high performance favorite New York and northern electronic ignition system. Ontario fishing lakes. He has even Redundancy is provided by 6 installed a Navaid single-axis auto- individual coils - one for each pilot, and coupled it to the Furono cylinder. 2 high performance GPS Fish Finder. MSD fuel pumps feed the engine’s Delco fuel injection Boucher intends to fly the airplane on system. The engine’s 10:1 conventional (tailwheel) gear for compression ratio should allow about a year, while he decides whether Boucher to consume as little as or not to pursue a float option with 9.5 gallons of auto fuel per hour during cruise flight. In-flight engine the airplane. monitoring will be accomplished using an installed AV-10 voice/digital alert engine monitor by Audio Flight Avionics. Contact Capt. Boucher via email at: [email protected] (Brian Boucher) 6 The Aerocomp News For Sale: Used Aircraft Engines For Sale: “O TTSN” Never Used For Sale: 310 hp Continental For Sale: 180 hp Lycoming 230 HP CONTINENTAL 310 HP CONTINENTAL 180 HP Lycoming RED SEAL O-470.15 TSIO-520-BE1G IO-360-A1A

0 hours total time since new! 40 hours total time since factory 171 hours since Don George Factory “pickled” ex-military engine. remanufacture. Previously installed in overhaul. Previously installed in Never been installed. Complete with Piper Malibu. Complete with twin Comp Air 4 factory demonstrator mags and carb. Mfr. #T117080 turbo’s, intercooler, exhaust, logs, etc. (replaced with 300 HP engine for Spec. #1435.D only $7,500 only $25,990 float installation). Complete with fuel injection, engine mount, baffles, exhaust, lightweight starter and For Sale: Franklin 120 HP alternator upgrade, etc. only $12,995 40 hours TTSN. Was installed in 82 x 44 Sensenich 2-blade propeller, factory demonstrator prior to being with spinner, also available for above replaced with larger engine. Excellent engine: only $1500 condition. 4 cylinder certified aircraft engine, air cooled, with mount and all *Photos of these and other items accessories. only $7,995 are available online at: Contact: Mr. Brian Boucher, http://AEROCOMPinc.com/used4sale.htm Telephone: 1-407-223-3342 For full details contact: Mr. Steve Young at Aerocomp, Inc. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 1 (407) 453-6641

2335 Newfound Harbor Dr. Merritt Island, FL 32952 USA

Phone/Fax: 1 (407) 453-6641 http://www.AEROCOMPinc.com

The Aerocomp News Inside This Issue 1 NEW: Comp Air 8 Turboprop Flying High 2 You Thought It Was Big Before: See the Comp Air 10XL 3 New Video Available by Rotor/Wing Sports TV 4 Builder Report: Captain Brian Boucher's Subaru Comp Air 6 5 Turbine Pilot Proficiency Certification Training Available