Development and Design
The Comp Air 10 emerged from Aerocomp's expanding lineup of composite kit aircraft in 1997, building directly upon the foundation of the smaller Comp Air 6. The Florida-based company, operating from Merritt Island Airport, sought to create an unusually large homebuilt aircraft that could serve utility roles typically reserved for certified commercial aircraft. The design team incorporated twin outward-canted vertical stabilizers specifically to allow the aircraft to fit within standard hangar dimensions despite its substantial size.
The aircraft's composite construction featured single-strut braced two-spar wings and an estimated 800-hour build time for amateur constructors. Design innovations included optional configurations for tricycle gear, taildragger, or float undercarriage, along with features like twin rudders operating in unison and a balance tab in the starboard elevator. These elements were unusual sophistication for an experimental kit aircraft of the era.
Powerplant and Performance
The Comp Air 10's most distinctive feature was its Walter M601D turboprop engine, producing 657 shaft horsepower and driving an Avia three-blade constant-speed propeller. This Czech-manufactured engine was sourced from retired Let 410 commercial turboprops that had served Eastern European, African, and South American operators. The powerplant selection gave the aircraft exceptional short-field performance, with takeoff rolls quoted between 225 and 300 feet even when fully loaded.
With standard fuel capacity of 455 liters (120 US gallons), expandable to 681 liters (180 US gallons), the CA-10 achieved a maximum cruise speed of 193 knots and a range of 798 nautical miles. The aircraft demonstrated a climb rate of 2,000 feet per minute and required only 700 feet for landing roll, making it suitable for bush operations and remote airstrips.
Production and Market Response
Despite its impressive specifications, the Comp Air 10 achieved limited market penetration. By early 2002, exactly eleven examples had been completed and were flying, a number that remained unchanged through 2011. The original CA10 version was no longer available by the early 2000s, with Jane's All the World's Aircraft noting its discontinuation in 2001-2002.
Production kits were available at least through 2003, with registered examples including N660TP, a 2000-built aircraft with serial number 038. The high cost and complexity of the turboprop powerplant, combined with the substantial build commitment required, likely limited its appeal compared to smaller, piston-powered homebuilt alternatives.
The Manufacturer's Evolution
Aerocomp, co-owned by Steve Young and Ron Lueck, underwent significant expansion during the early 2000s, eventually rebranding as Comp Air around 2002. The company's ambitious product line grew from the two-place Merlin and four-place Comp Monster to larger designs including the Comp Air 12 and the turbofan-powered Comp Air Jet, which achieved first flight on July 10, 2004.
By 2006, the company had sold nearly 600 kits across its entire lineup, demonstrating success in the kit aircraft market despite the Comp Air 10's limited appeal. However, the company ceased operations by 2022, with its website no longer listing any models in production.
Variants and Configurations
The Comp Air 10 was offered in multiple configurations to serve different missions. The 10XL variant featured a slightly reduced wingspan of 36 feet 6 inches compared to the standard 39-foot span, along with options for increased maximum takeoff weight up to 6,000 pounds. This version accommodated seven to ten seats depending on configuration and included features like an optional freight door and external luggage panniers for utility operations.
The aircraft's versatility extended to its landing gear options, with builders able to choose between fixed tricycle gear with 8.00-6 inch main wheels and 6.00-6 inch nose wheels, conventional tailwheel configuration, or float installation for water operations.
Legacy and Current Status
The Comp Air 10 occupies a unique position in homebuilt aviation history as one of the most ambitious kit aircraft ever offered. Its turboprop powerplant and substantial size pushed the boundaries of what amateur builders typically attempted, pioneering composite construction techniques and twin-tail configurations that influenced subsequent utility aircraft designs.
While production numbers remained modest, the aircraft demonstrated that homebuilders could successfully complete sophisticated, turbine-powered aircraft when provided with comprehensive kits and support. The eleven completed examples established the viability of large homebuilt utility aircraft, though economic realities ultimately limited broader adoption. Today, the surviving aircraft represent rare examples of amateur-built turboprop aviation, with several still active in private utility roles across the United States.