Comp Air 8

The Comp Air 8 is an American kit turboprop-powered light civil utility aircraft that was manufactured by Comp Air of Florida from about 2000 until 2021.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Comp Air 8
Comp Air 8 on amphibious floats
General information
Type	Kit built light civil utility aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Comp Air
Status	Production completed
Number built	25 (2011)
History
Manufactured	2000-2021

The aircraft's webpage was removed in 2021 and the new company website does not list it as being in production in 2022.^[2][6]

Design and development

The aircraft is a Comp Air 7 with its fuselage stretched by 2 feet (0.6 m) to accommodate six adults and two children. The Comp Air 8 is configured as a conventional high-wing monoplane with optional tailwheel or tricycle undercarriage. It can be fitted with large floats for water operations.^[2]

The Comp Air 8 fuselage and tail are constructed with carbon fiber. Fuel capacity can be determined by the builder and can be as much as 180 U.S. gallons (680 L; 150 imp gal). The useful load is 2,000 to 2,500 lb (907 to 1,134 kg) and the aircraft has a standard gross weight of 4,800 lb (2,177 kg). The gross weight can be increased to 5,200 lb (2,359 kg) or even 5,600 lb (2,540 kg) with factory-supplied reinforcing kits. The standard engine used is the Walter M 601D of 657 hp (490 kW)^[2][4]

Kit production seems to have ended in 2021.^[2][6]

Operational history

In August 2022 there were seven Comp Air 8s registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.^[7]

Specifications (Comp Air 8)

Comp Air 8 with conventional landing gear

Comp Air 8 with tricycle landing gear

Data from Comp Air^[8]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: seven passengers
• Length: 31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
• Wingspan: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
• Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
• Wing area: 237 sq ft (22.0 m²)
• Empty weight: 2,800 lb (1,270 kg)
• Gross weight: 4,800 lb (2,177 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,600 lb (2,540 kg) with gross weight increase kit
• Fuel capacity: 150 US gallons (568 litres)
• Powerplant: 1 × Walter M 601D turboprop, 657 shp (490 kW)
• Propellers: 3-bladed AVIA constant speed, feathering, with reverse

Performance

• Cruise speed: 225 mph (362 km/h, 196 kn) True airspeed
• Never exceed speed: 229 mph (369 km/h, 199 kn) Indicated airspeed
• Fuel consumption: 35-37 US gallons per hour fuel burn (133-140 L/h)