Ron Lueck of Comp Air Aviation is showing his latest creation at AirVenture 2023, the Comp Air 6.2 six-seater kit design, perhaps better approached as a 4+2 with extra room for baggage, as there’s a significant narrowing of the big fuselage behind the second row of seats. On display in exhibit space 314, just east of Hangar B, the big composite single is hard to miss.
Ron flew the prototype up from Titusville, Florida, where Comp Air is headquartered, hopped back home on an airliner and made another trip to Oshkosh in the Comp Air Turbine sistership, mounted on amphibious Comp Air floats, just to have everything ready for opening day of AirVenture 2023. The nicely-appointed CA-6.2 offers space and range for a family, sitting high enough to need fold-down boarding steps to reach the cockpit, much like a Cessna Caravan.
The prototype is powered by a 350-hp Lycoming IO-540, turning a wide-chord scimitar-shape three-blade Hartzell propeller. That’s none too little for a 4500-pound airplane carrying 100 gallons of fuel. Comp Air’s projected performance estimates range at 840 nautical miles with a 170-knot cruise speed.
Have a big hangar to keep it in; the cantilever wing spans 40 feet and the 6.2 is nearly 12 feet tall. Cabin width is listed as 52 inches, with 42 inches of cabin height. A large utility door opens on the left rear to reach the rear seats and cargo area.
Wish there were more 6+ seat kit planes. This market segment has been ignored for many years.
The problem with 2 more seats (vs a 4-seater) is that the costs grow exponentially putting it out of reach for even those that can easily afford a certified 4-seater.