Photograph:
Mudry Cap 232 VH-ZKZ (c/n 26) at Murray Bridge, SA in August 2018 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Single-seat competition aerobatic aircraft
Power Plant:
One 224 kw (300 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO 540-L1B5 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.39 m (24 ft 3 in)
- Length: 6.76 m (22 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 10.13 m² (109 sq ft)
- Max speed: 339 km/h (211 mph)
- Max manoeuvring speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 269 km/h (167 mph)
- Stalling speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 914 m/min (3,000 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,575 m (15,000 ft)
- Range with max fuel, cruising at 45% power: 1,200 km (745 miles)
- Empty weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)
- Loaded weight: 876 kg (1,800 lb)
History:
The Cap 232 was the result of many years of development by Cap Aviation of Darois, France, which commenced operations in the 1950s as a result of a French Government inspired competition. First in the line was the ap 10, followed by the Cap 20 with 134 kw (180 hp) or 149 kw (200 hp) Lycoming engines. These were developed to the Cap 20L in 1975, and the Cap 21 in 1980.
The Cap company was founded in 1958 by Auguste Mudry, and for many years the aircraft constructed were known as the Mudry Cap 10 series. In the United States Akrotech produced the Giles 222 from that design with a 149 kw (200 hp) engine, and this was an unlimited contest aerobatic two-seater, which was also built for a time in France under a partnership agreement, being known as the Akrotech Cap 222. This was an all carbon-fibre airframe with a 149 kw (200 hp) Lycoming engine, and had an empty weight of 454 kg (1,000 lb). Subsequently the Cap 231 appeared, the prototype of this model (F-WZCI) flying for the first time on 22 May 1990. A total of 25 airframes was built, followed by six Cap 231 EXs.
Eventually the partnership with the American concern was dissolved and Cap Aviation re-designed the aircraft to fully meet JAR 23 requirements. This became the Cap 222, which is fully certificated, has an empty weight of 490 kg (1,080 lb) and is cleared for + and – 10G with two pilots on board.
On 7 July 1994 the prototype (F-WZCH) of a new single-seat competition aerobatic aircraft flew, this being known as the Akrotech Cap 232. Similar to but improved on the Cap 231, one was flown to 2nd place in the 1996 World Aerobatic Championships at Oklahoma, City, USA. The first Cap 232 imported to this region was VH-SHI (c/n 04) registered to its owner in Toowoomba, QLD in September 1995, later being registered to Flying Fighters Pty Ltd of Sunnybank, QLD on 16 December 1998. On 19 May 2017 a further example became VH-ZKZ (c/n 26) registered to Interlux Investments Pty Ltd of Adelaide, SA.