Development and Design
The CA-7T emerged from AeroComp Inc.'s evolution of their successful Comp Air 6 design, with development led by company co-owners Steve Young and Ron Lueck. The aircraft represented a significant step up in performance from its piston-powered siblings, designed specifically for operators requiring turbine reliability in challenging environments. AeroComp engineered the CA-7T with a quoted 700-hour build time, targeting experienced homebuilders seeking professional-grade utility aircraft performance.
The design incorporated advanced composite construction techniques, including carbon-fiber hybrid materials in critical structural areas. Engineers equipped the aircraft with horn-balanced tail surfaces and ground-adjustable tabs for optimal control response. For operators requiring maximum structural integrity, AeroComp offered optional airframe reinforcements rated for +6g/-4g loads, enabling the aircraft to handle extreme utility operations.
Powerplant and Performance
The CA-7T's defining characteristic was its Walter M601D turboprop engine, a Czech-manufactured powerplant producing 657 shaft horsepower. This engine, conceptually similar to the renowned Pratt & Whitney PT6 series, drove an Avia three-blade constant-speed feathering propeller, with a five-blade option available for reduced noise and vibration. The aircraft carried between 568 and 719 liters of fuel, depending on configuration.
This powerplant combination delivered impressive performance figures for an aircraft in its class. The CA-7T achieved a maximum speed of 275 mph and cruised efficiently at 230 mph, while maintaining a remarkably low stall speed of just 54 mph. The aircraft's climb rate of 3,000 feet per minute and operational range of 1,047 miles made it ideally suited for accessing remote airstrips and conducting extended utility missions.
Military Evaluation
The CA-7T gained unique distinction as one of the few homebuilt aircraft to undergo formal military evaluation during wartime operations. In 2005-2006, a modified Comp Air 7SLX variant was deployed to Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq for testing by U.S. Central Command and the Iraqi Air Force. The test aircraft, originally shipped to the United Arab Emirates, underwent significant modifications including installation of tricycle landing gear from a Cessna 310 and steerable nose gear.
During the evaluation program, the aircraft completed 13 baseline sorties establishing performance parameters before experiencing an engine failure during a familiarization flight piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew White with an AeroComp instructor pilot aboard. The aircraft was subsequently refurbished at AeroComp's facilities from February 19-24, 2006, then completed restoration at Edwards Air Force Base on April 21, 2006, with the original tailwheel configuration restored despite parts supply challenges.
Production History
AeroComp Inc. began CA-7T production in 1998 as part of their expanded Comp Air 7 series, which included the standard Comp Air 7, the stretched 7SL variant introduced in 2001, and the turbine-powered 7T. The company operated from Merritt Island Airport, Florida, supplying kits with no more than 49 percent completion to maintain homebuilt aircraft certification requirements.
By early 2002, at least 80 Comp Air 7 series aircraft were flying or under construction, including 25 turbine variants. Production continued steadily, with 70 Comp Air 7s and 25 Comp Air 7SLs reported flying by fall 2007. Total series production reached approximately 115 units by 2011, encompassing all variants. Kit pricing in 2003 reached $54,995 for the CA-7T, excluding the powerplant.
The Manufacturer
AeroComp Inc., later renamed Comp Air, operated as a specialized kitplane manufacturer from the late 1990s through the early 2000s, with documented activities continuing into 2006. Beyond the Comp Air 7 series, the company developed the original Comp Air 6 and advanced into jet aircraft with the Comp Air Jet, which achieved first flight on July 10, 2004.
The company represented the entrepreneurial spirit of the experimental aircraft movement, providing high-performance designs to builders seeking alternatives to certified aircraft. However, like many small aviation manufacturers, AeroComp faced the challenges of limited market size and increasing regulatory complexity. By 2022, the company was no longer producing CA-7T kits and appears to have ceased operations or undergone significant restructuring.
Legacy and Current Status
The CA-7T established itself as one of the more successful turbine-powered homebuilt aircraft, offering performance approaching that of certified turboprops at significantly lower initial cost. Its military evaluation, while brief, demonstrated the potential capabilities of well-designed homebuilt aircraft in demanding operational environments.
Today, many CA-7T aircraft remain active in private hands, serving the utility and recreational flying missions for which they were designed. Examples like N22WC, built by Douglas Karlsen and photographed in British Columbia in 2008, continue to demonstrate the type's capabilities in challenging terrain. While exact current airworthiness numbers are unavailable, the aircraft's robust design and proven powerplant suggest many examples continue flying nearly three decades after the type's introduction.