Mudry CAP 232
French single-seat competition aerobatic aircraft, developed in the mid-1980s, utilized by military and civilian aerobatic teams. Key figures: top speed 330 km/h, range 360 km, max takeoff weight 820 kg. In service with 1 air force as of 2026 — Morocco (8).
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 6.8 m (22.1 ft) |
| Wingspan | 8.1 m (26.5 ft) |
| Height | 1.9 m (6.2 ft) |
| Wing area | 9.9 m² (106.1 sqft) |
| Empty weight | 630 kg (1,389 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 820 kg (1,808 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Lycoming AEIO-540-L1 B5D 224 kW each |
| Maximum speed | 330 km/h (205 mph) |
| Operational range | 360 km (224 mi) |
| Climb rate | 16.0 m/s (52.5 ft/s) |
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Description
The CAP Aviation CAP-23x family consists of single-seat competition aerobatic aircraft developed from the CAP 21. Designed primarily for the French Air Force, the initial CAP 230 variant was developed in 1985. It featured a wooden construction, a trapezoidal wing with trailing edge apex triangular surfaces, and was powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) 6-cylinder Lycoming AEIO-540 engine. The aircraft was designed to withstand load factors of +10/-10 G, with a roll rate of 270 degrees per second and a top speed of 400 km/h.
Development
The CAP 231, developed in 1990, added leading edge triangular apex surfaces to the wing to reduce buffeting during high-G pullups. This variant had a length of 6.75 meters, a wingspan of 8.08 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 820 kg. It used a Lycoming AEIO-540-L1 B5D engine driving a three- or four-bladed constant-speed propeller, providing a maximum speed of 330 km/h, a range of 360 km, and a climb rate of 16 meters per second. In 1991, select airframes received a carbon-fiber wing from an EXTRA 260, which led to the development of the CAP 231EX in 1994. The CAP 231EX integrated a wooden fuselage with a custom carbon-fiber wing, achieving a roll rate of 420 degrees per second and a climb rate of nearly 3,300 feet per minute.
Operational History
Following a fatal accident in 2005, the aircraft family was grounded for a year. The CAP 232, along with the -230 and -231/-231EX, underwent modifications to reinforce fuselage rib number 2, which holds the landing gear and wing spar.
In military service, the French Air Force aerobatic team operated the CAP 230 from 1986 to 1990, the CAP 231 from 1990 to 1998, and the CAP 232 from 1999 to 2005. The Royal Moroccan Air Force operates eight aircraft for its air display team, Marche Verte. The aircraft has also been utilized in civilian competitions, winning the World Championships in 1990, 1998, 2000, and 2007.
Variants
- CAP 230: The initial 1985 variant featuring wooden construction, trailing edge wing modifications, and a 300 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 engine.
- CAP 231: A 1990 variant featuring leading edge triangular apex surfaces to reduce buffeting during high-G maneuvers.
- CAP 231EX: A variant introduced in 1994 combining the wooden fuselage with a custom-designed carbon-fiber wing.
- CAP 232: A variant featuring structural reinforcements to fuselage rib number 2 following a 2005 grounding.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- JUL 272026 Updated Name updated
- JUL 162026 Created Page created: CAP 232