TYPE: Aerobatic single-seat sportplane.

PROGRAMME: Prototype (F-WZCH) first flew 7 July 1994; French certification and first sales March 1995. First place in 2000 World Aerobatic Championship in France was taken by Eric Vazeille in CAP 232 F-GKDX; Catherine Maunoury was fifth (women's first) in F-GXCM.

CUSTOMERS: Total 40 built by late 2002. Mainly French operators (including three to French Air Force), but others sold to Australia (one, 1996), Switzerland (one), UK (three, 1998 and 2001) and USA (two, 1998; four, 2000; and one in 2002). Moroccan Air Force placed order for nine in mid-2000 to re-equip Marche Verte aerobatic team; deliveries began early 2001 and five received by mid-2002.

COSTS: US$250,000 (2001).

DESIGN FEATURES: Optimised for world-class aerobatic competition. Similar to, and improvement on, CAP 231 EX. Strong, carbon fibre wing of broad root chord, sharply tapered for high roll rates; tapered tail surfaces.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Electrically actuated elevator tab; elevator servo tab to reduce stick forces. Almost full-span ailerons for high roll rates.

STRUCTURE: Two-spar carbon fibre wings; 10 ribs.

LANDING GEAR: Fixed tailwheel type; mainwheel tyres 5.00-5.

POWER PLANT: One 224 kW (300 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5D flat-six engine, driving a variable-pitch (hydraulic) MT-Propeller MTV-14-BC-C190-17 four- blade propeller. Total fuel capacity 189.3 litres (50.0 US gallons; 41.6 Imp gallons) in one fuselage tank and two wing tanks. Fuel and oil system designed for prolonged inverted flight.

ACCOMMODATION: Single seat under rear-hinged canopy. Baggage space behind pilot.

SYSTEMS: Electrical system includes engine-driven alternator and 12 V 60 Ah battery.

AVIONICS: Customer specified. Comms: Radio and transponder optional. Flight: GPS optional.

EQUIPMENT: Sighting frame can be attached to wingtip for judging exact verticals in competition aerobatics.