Comp Monster and Comp Air 6
Leon Stoman
jbart...@aol.com (Jerry Barth) wrote:
> Are there any builders of the Comp Monster or Comp Air 6 in the newsgroup?
> I'm thinking of building a Comp AIr 6 and would like to talk to someone
> who's building one.
Yes, I'm nearly finished my Comp Air 6 (the six-seater homebuilt from Aerocomp).
My name is Leon Stoman, and I read this newsgroup occasionally. I'm from South Africa
and Botswana, and will be flying my new Comp Air 6 around the world this summer. I've
been working on the airplane nearly full time since March. During the next two weeks I
intend to finish the engine and avionics installation, and will complete final
preparations for painting and test-flying. Instead of having the kit shipped to Africa,
I came to America to build and test fly the airplane. I'm working in rented facilities
provided by Aerocomp, but have done all the assembly work myself.
It's an easy, simple airplane to build. Another builder here in Merritt Island, FL
recently finished building an almost identical Comp Air 6. Both of us are using 260 hp
Continental IO-470 engines. His airplane flies great! As long as mine does as well as
his, I'll be thrilled. Cruise with the constant chord wing is about 140 mph (indicated),
which is slower than the 165 mph indicated that I've seen in the 220 hp tapered-wing
version that Aerocomp uses as a factory demonstrator. The constant chord wing is cheaper
and easier to build, though, and wasn't available when I ordered my kit. Either version
can easily carry 1300 lbs. useful load, although I intend to carry much more than that
during my World Tour (for starters, I built a 180 gallon fuel capacity into the wings!).
More details about my airplane, the World Tour, and the Comp Air 6 are posted on the web
at:
http://AerocompInc.com/leon.htm
http://SportFlyer.com/World_Tour
http://AerocompInc.com
BTW -- If anyone is interested in hosting an airport "Open House" to generate local
community interest in aviation, and would like me to schedule a stop during the World
Tour to help out, please let me know asap. I'm looking for aviation contacts in
Scandinavian countries, Western Europe, Africa, and Australia.
Leon Stoman
Le...@SportFlyer.com
Mike O'Leary
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Leon Stoman wrote:
>
> jbart...@aol.com (Jerry Barth) wrote:
> > Are there any builders of the Comp Monster or Comp Air 6 in the
newsgroup?
> > I'm thinking of building a Comp AIr 6 and would like to talk to
someone
> > who's building one.
>
> Yes, I'm nearly finished my Comp Air 6 (the six-seater homebuilt from
Aerocomp).
About that Comp Air 6.... tell me more about how it flies.
When I saw it at Sun 'n Fun, I watched it take off one time in front of
the Murphy Super Rebel, and it sure performed great. Made the Rebel
look kind of sluggish. What's the rate of climb in that Comp Air 6 at
full gross, anyway? Engine sounded funny, too. What is it?
Mike O'Leary
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<DT>Leon Stoman wrote:<BR>
> <BR>
> jbart...@aol.com (Jerry Barth) wrote:<BR>
> > Are there any builders of the Comp Monster or Comp Air
6 in the newsgroup?<BR>
> > I'm thinking of building a Comp AIr 6 and would like to
talk to someone<BR>
> > who's building one.<BR>
> <BR>
> Yes, I'm nearly finished my Comp Air 6 (the six-seater homebuilt from
Aerocomp).</DT>
<DT> </DT>
<DT> About that Comp Air 6.... tell me more about how it flies. </DT>
<DT><BR>
When I saw it at Sun 'n Fun, I watched it take off one time in front of
the Murphy Super Rebel, and it sure performed great. Made the Rebel
look kind of sluggish. What's the rate of climb in that Comp Air
6 at full gross, anyway? Engine sounded funny, too. What is
it?</DT>
<DT> </DT>
<DT>Mike O'Leary<BR>
<BR></DT>
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Leon Stoman
> About that Comp Air 6.... tell me more about how it flies.
>
> Air 6 at full gross, anyway? Engine sounded funny, too. What is it?
I had another ride in the factory's six seat demonstrator again today (motivation to
finish my own airplane). With 4 grown men on board, and lots of fuel, we were nearly at
the recommended full gross weight, carrying about 1300 lbs. of useful load. We could
have also put a couple kids in the back seats, but there weren't any around at the time.
I was too excited to remember to time the takeoff roll, but it was quick. Probably only
about 400 to 500 feet. On climbout, the VSI read a steady 1000 fpm without wavering.
The factory demonstrator (tapered wing version) was recently fitted with "spades" on the
ailerons, and to say that aileron response and roll rate was "exhilarating" understates
my excitement. The handling characteristics were excellent.
After our flight, I was forced to stand on the ground and watch while designer Ron Lueck
proceeded to perform a series of rolls and other maneuvers to show off the newly
improved roll rate.
Oh yeah -- the engine that you heard in the factory demonstrator is a Franklin 220.
That's why it sounded wierd. I'm putting a Continential IO-470 in mine, for my flight
around the world.
Leon Stoman
Young Eagles 97 -- Aviation World Tour
http://SportFlyer.com/World_Tour