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Article courtesy
of:
NBAA Convention News
Comp Air believes t-prop single’s time has
arrived
by James Wynbrandt
If you’re looking for evidence the single-engine turboprop is an
aircraft whose time has come, Comp Air Aviation (Booth No. 8842)
believes its Comp Air 12 is exhibit A. Powered by a 1,650-hp
Honeywell TPE33l-l4GR engine, the Comp Air 12 is voluminous
composite eight-place aircraft with a projected cruise speed of 310
knots at 30,000 feet and a maximum range of 2,535 nm with IFR
reserves. Comp Air Aviation (CAA), based in Merritt Island, Fla.,
is currently conducting flight tests on the Comp Air 12 and expects
FAA certification in the first quarter of 2010. Downing Aviation
Association, an aviation consultancy, is assisting CAA in the
development.
“A single-engine turboprop is something many people might want to
have avoided in the past,”
said Darrel Downing, CEO of the consulting firm. “Now we’re coming
to where they belong in the marketplace.”
“It’s one of the fastest growing segments,” said Art Manni,
Downing’s COO. “They provide a lot of capability in an efficient
package.”
The development project is showcasing some of Downing’s
capabilities as well as the Comp Air l2’s. For example, Downing
used value index analysis to gauge the market for the aircraft.
“We take speed, multiply by range, cabin volume and balanced field
length, and divide by price,” said Manni. “The higher the value, the
better the airplane.”
By postulating different price points in the analysis, Downing’s
consultants can chart a value curve. Downing estimates final price
of the Comp Air 12 will be between $2.75 and $3.3 million.
Based in Gilbert, Ariz., Downing works with OEMs and startups,
providing services including strategic planning, project
management, contract labor, engine installation engineering and
investor relations. In this last capacity, Downing is helping CAA
search for investors. Manni estimates CAA will need $100 to $120
million to reach certification, and that sum doesn’t include
construction of manufacturing facilities.
Meanwhile, Downing consultants have been in discussions with state,
local and regional authorities about economic development incentive
packages that will help determine where production facilities will
be located. Downing estimates sales of about 70 Comp Air 12s per
year.
“With that combination of capability and value, it will compete
well with light jets,” Manni said.
Downing expects Comp Air will begin taking deposits for the
turboprop single next year.
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