Development and Design
Louis Peña, a distinguished competitive aerobatic pilot from Dax in southwestern France, created the Capena to fill a specific gap in affordable aerobatic aircraft. Peña brought considerable credentials to the project, having joined France's national aerobatic team in 1972 after beginning competition flying in 1966. His experience included three French national championship victories and service as chief pilot for Mudry (CAP Aviation), giving him intimate knowledge of high-performance aerobatic aircraft requirements.
The Capena incorporated proven elements from the CAP 21, including control surfaces and a truncated fuselage design, but featured an entirely new wing developed by Michel Dozieres. This collaboration produced a wing with an exceptionally short 6.8-meter span specifically engineered for enhanced aerobatic performance. The compact wing loading of 75.8 kilograms per square meter across 7.65 square meters of wing area delivered the rapid roll rates and crisp handling essential for competitive aerobatics.
Technical Specifications
The aircraft's wooden construction utilized traditional techniques while incorporating modern aerobatic requirements. The cantilever low-wing design eliminated external bracing, reducing drag while maintaining structural integrity during high-G maneuvers. A bubble canopy provided excellent visibility crucial for aerobatic orientation, while fixed conventional landing gear simplified construction and maintenance for amateur builders.
Power came from the proven Avco Lycoming AEIO-360, a four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine producing 150 to 200 horsepower. This fuel-injected powerplant was specifically designed for inverted flight reliability, eliminating the fuel flow interruptions that plague conventional engines during aerobatic maneuvers. The engine drove a constant-speed metal propeller, optimizing performance across the aircraft's speed range from its 85 kilometers per hour stall speed to a maximum velocity of 325 kilometers per hour.
Performance Characteristics
The Capena's performance envelope reflected its specialized aerobatic mission. Cruise speed of 280 kilometers per hour provided reasonable cross-country capability, while the impressive climb rate of 15 meters per second (nearly 3,000 feet per minute) demonstrated the aircraft's power-to-weight advantage. At a gross weight of 580 kilograms, the single-seater achieved the agility that competitive aerobatic pilots demanded.
Fuel capacity of 85 liters, stored in two tanks of 40 and 45 liters respectively, provided adequate endurance for aerobatic practice sessions and competition flights. Some variants carried 130 liters for extended range, though the additional weight would compromise aerobatic performance.
Construction and Production
Unlike mass-produced aircraft, the Capena existed solely as construction plans offered to amateur builders beginning in 1984. This approach allowed Peña to share his design while avoiding the substantial investment required for certified production. Individual builders across France constructed their aircraft over the following decades, with documented completions spanning from the prototype through at least 2005.
The prototype, designated construction number 01 and registered F-WZTC (later re-registered as F-PZTC), completed its maiden flight on July 24, 1984, with designer Louis Peña at the controls. Construction number 02, registered F-PYTQ, was built in 1986 by M.F. Sire for pilot Michel Cala. The most recent documented example, construction number 16 (F-PFAK), was completed in 2005 by Jean Duguy for Michel Krall, demonstrating the design's enduring appeal among aerobatic enthusiasts.
Operational History
The Capena served exclusively in civilian hands as a recreational and competition aerobatic aircraft. French pilots like Michel Cala and Michel Krall operated their aircraft from airfields across France, participating in aerobatic competitions and training flights. The aircraft's single-seat configuration limited its use to solo operations, though Peña later developed the two-seat Bilouis variant for training applications.
By 2005, at least two airframes remained active, including F-PFAK based at Nevers, France. The small production numbers and careful maintenance typical of owner-operated aerobatic aircraft likely contributed to good survival rates, though exact current flying numbers remain undocumented due to the homebuilt nature of the fleet.
Legacy and Impact
While never achieving widespread popularity, the Capena succeeded in its intended mission of providing affordable access to high-performance aerobatic flying. The aircraft represented a bridge between expensive factory-built aerobatic aircraft and the growing homebuilt movement of the 1980s. Louis Peña's design philosophy of adapting proven components with innovative modifications influenced subsequent homebuilt aerobatic designs.
The International Civil Aviation Organization assigned the type code CPNA to the Capena, reflecting its recognition in official aviation documentation despite limited production numbers. No examples are known to survive in museum collections, reflecting the aircraft's specialized nature and small production run. The Capena remains significant as an example of how expert pilots can successfully translate competition experience into practical aircraft design for fellow enthusiasts.