The Manufacturer
Capella Aircraft Corporation operated from a facility in Austin, Texas, from 1988 until ceasing operations in late 2007. Founded and led by John Reid Howell Jr., the company specialized exclusively in kit aircraft designed for amateur construction. Howell served as both company founder and chief designer, developing a consistent design philosophy that emphasized affordability and ease of construction for recreational pilots. The company maintained a focused approach throughout its 19-year existence, producing only light aircraft kits without diversifying into other aviation sectors.
Design Philosophy and Construction
Howell's design approach centered on creating aircraft that amateur builders could successfully complete in home workshops. All Capella aircraft shared common construction methods featuring welded 4130 steel tube fuselages paired with riveted aluminum tube wing structures. The aircraft employed fabric covering treated with dope for weather protection, a traditional technique that kept costs manageable while providing adequate durability.
Every model in the Capella lineup utilized high-wing, strut-braced configurations with tractor propeller arrangements. This design choice provided inherent stability characteristics that appealed to recreational pilots while simplifying construction compared to low-wing alternatives. Optional features across the series included folding wings for storage and transport, full-span ailerons for enhanced control response, and flaps for improved short-field performance.
Model Evolution and Specifications
The Capella SS launched the series in 1988 as a single-seat aircraft with an enclosed cabin and rear window. This initial model established the gross weight of 625 pounds and utilized Rotax 447 or 503 engines producing 40 to 50 horsepower respectively.
Two years later, the company introduced the XS and XLS variants, both configured for side-by-side seating with a gross weight of 1,200 pounds. The XS featured a more powerful Rotax 582 engine generating 64 horsepower, while the XLS incorporated the four-stroke Rotax 912 producing 80 horsepower. The XLS additionally offered tricycle landing gear as standard equipment, contrasting with conventional gear options available on other models.
The Capella Fastback arrived in 1995, maintaining the two-seat side-by-side configuration while featuring the 80-horsepower Rotax 912 powerplant. This model represented the company's attempt to appeal to builders seeking enhanced performance in the light sport aircraft category.
Ultralight Variants
Capella's transition toward ultralight aircraft compliance with Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103 produced the Javelin series beginning around 1998. The single-seat Javelin I featured an open cockpit design with a maximum empty weight restricted to 254 pounds, meeting ultralight requirements. Power came from the modest Rotax 277 single-cylinder engine producing 28 horsepower, adequate for the aircraft's 575-pound gross weight.
The Javelin I's specifications included a wing area of 112 square feet and fuel capacity of 5 US gallons. Its empty weight ranged between 240 and 254 pounds, with the upper limit representing the maximum permitted under Part 103 regulations. This careful weight management allowed operators to fly without pilot certification requirements applicable to heavier aircraft.
The tandem two-seat Javelin II followed, accommodating an instructor and student in training roles. Power options included the Rotax 503 and 582 engines, providing 50 and 64 horsepower respectively for the increased weight and performance demands.
Later Development
The T-Raptor represented Capella's final significant development, featuring a semi-enclosed fuselage with bubble doors and tandem seating optimized for flight training. This model offered multiple engine choices including the Rotax 503, 582, and the four-stroke HKS 700E producing 60 horsepower. The wider fuselage cage design provided improved comfort compared to earlier open-cockpit variants while maintaining the series' characteristic construction methods.
Production and Legacy
Documented production records indicate 33 aircraft received registered tail numbers during Capella Aircraft Corporation's operational period, though actual kit sales likely exceeded this figure as many builders may have registered aircraft under different manufacturer designations or never completed construction. No comprehensive production totals exist for individual models within the series.
When Capella Aircraft Corporation ceased operations in 2007, it left behind a modest but dedicated community of builders and operators. The company's emphasis on Part 103 ultralight compliance and affordable construction costs carved out a specific niche in the American homebuilt aircraft market during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Today, few if any Capella aircraft remain active, reflecting both the small production numbers and the passage of time since the company's closure. The series represents a footnote in the broader ultralight and homebuilt movement that flourished during the late 20th century, demonstrating how small manufacturers could serve specialized segments of recreational aviation.