AeroComp, the US kitplane manufacturer, has confirmed its plans to develop an eight-seat jet. The single-engine, all-composite Comp Air Jet (CA-J) will be available as a kit only, but the company plans to set up a builder assistance centre.
AeroComp co-owner Steve Young says the CA-J will be powered by a factory-remanufactured Ivchencko AI-25, a 3,400lb (15kN)-thrust turbofan also used on the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros jet trainer and Yakovlev Yak-40 airliner. The company plans to establish a US service centre for the Russian engine, but the aircraft could also accommodate a Pratt & Whitney JT12-8 or General Electric CJ610 turbojet.
The carbonfibre-composite CA-J will have a maximum take-off weight of 4,000kg (8,810lb) and a useful load of about 2,000kg, giving it a range of around 1,800km (1,000nm) with full fuel and six occupants. Pressurisation will provide a 10,000ft (3,000m) cabin altitude at the aircraft's 29,900ft service ceiling. Designed for moderately experienced pilots, the CA-J's performance will be "reasonable", including a cruise speed of just over 350kt (640km/h) and an approach speed of just under 100kt.
AeroComp expects to fly a prototype by the end of the third quarter and begin kit deliveries next year. Projected cost of the kit is $350,000 including engine. Completion should take six to nine months, with a maximum cost of $600,000.
Source: Flight International
