The Comp Air 10 is a light, multi-purpose, all-composite aircraft produced by the American aviation corporation Comp Air Inc. The design of the Comp Air 10XL (from “Xtra Long”) represented one of the biggest and main challenges for Comp Air.
Despite being sold as self-assembly kits, this aircraft offered certain prospects for both private owners and airlines. The prototype with a piston engine first flew on April 1, 1998, and the turboprop version in 2002.
Innovative Design and Development
A key feature of this aircraft was its ability to carry a large number of passengers. This contrasted with many self-assembly aircraft, which are typically designed for transporting a small number of people or an equivalent weight of cargo.
The maximum payload capacity that could be accommodated aboard the Comp Air 10 was 1112 kilograms. This capability effectively met most of the requirements for aircraft of this type.
Passenger and Payload Capabilities
The Comp Air 10 turboprop aircraft could seat up to 10 people, including one crew member and nine passengers. This made it suitable for commercial air travel on local and regional routes, boasting a maximum flight range of 1477 km.
Performance and Engine Challenges
The powerplant of the Comp Air 10 consists of a single Walter M601D turboprop engine, developing 657 hp, which provides a maximum possible flight speed of 357 km/h. However, a drawback of this engine was its very low reliability and expensive maintenance, which played a role in the aircraft’s low popularity.
During its four years of production, from 2011 to 2015, only 7 self-assembly kits were built. Nevertheless, most of them are used for commercial purposes, highlighting some potential for this project. Additionally, the aircraft’s developers envisioned the installation of other turboprop powerplants, which could improve its flight performance and, in some cases, partially reduce the aircraft’s cost.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Comp Air 10XL |
| Wingspan, m | 11.13 |
| Aircraft length, m | 9.45 |
| Aircraft height, m | 2.64 |
| Wing area, m2 | 22.48 |
| Empty weight | 1247 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 2722 |
| Engine type | 1 Turboprop Walter M601D |
| Power, hp | 1 x 657 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 356 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 324 |
| Practical range, km | 1472 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | 610 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 4800 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Payload | 9 passengers |
Image gallery of the Comp Air 10
