PlaneFox tracks 1 CAP 231 / 232 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Mudry / CAP Aviation CAP 231 / 232 costs about EUR 2,477 a month to run, or about EUR 259 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Mudry / CAP Aviation CAP 231 / 232 are single-seat, piston aerobatic aircraft developed in France from the CAP 230 competition line. The CAP 231 appeared in the early 1990s, followed by the CAP 232, which first flew in 1994 and became one of the best known purpose-built unlimited aerobatic aircraft of its period. Production was limited, and many examples were used by national teams, advanced aerobatic schools and private competition pilots. Their importance lies in their role as dedicated unlimited-category machines, not adapted touring aircraft, with structure, controls and systems centered on precision aerobatics.
Typical CAP 231 / 232 performance depends on propeller, weight and individual configuration, but the series is built around high power, low drag and high structural limits rather than cross-country efficiency. The CAP 232 is commonly associated with the 300 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 series engine, driving a constant-speed propeller and equipped for inverted flight. Published figures for the CAP 232 include a maximum level speed of about 220 knots, with more practical cruise speeds often planned well below that to manage fuel and engine wear. Range is typically around 400 nautical miles in ferry-style planning, subject to reserves and power setting. Service ceiling is commonly cited near 16,000 feet. Useful load is limited by the aircraft’s single-seat competition mission and varies by empty weight, installed equipment and certified aerobatic weight limits.
The cockpit is a compact single-seat layout with a bubble canopy, centerline seating and excellent external visibility for aerobatic reference. Buyers should expect a functional, competition-oriented environment rather than travel comfort. Baggage capacity is minimal, ventilation and noise levels are typical of high-performance aerobatic aircraft, and parachute use may affect fit. Avionics are usually basic VFR: radio, transponder, engine instruments and sometimes a GPS or compact electronic flight display. Integrated suites such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective are not typical installations for the Mudry / CAP Aviation CAP 231 / 232.
Used-market value is driven less by cosmetics and more by history, documentation and structural condition. Key review areas include airframe total time, aerobatic usage, wing and spar inspection status, engine condition, propeller logs, inverted oil and fuel system health, canopy condition and compliance with any applicable service bulletins or national airworthiness requirements. Differences between the CAP 231 and CAP 232, plus individual modifications, matter: buyers may encounter competition propeller upgrades, modern radios, lightweight instruments, smoke systems or refinished wings and control surfaces. The type usually sits in a specialized market for experienced aerobatic pilots, positioned above basic sport aerobatic trainers and below newer composite competition aircraft in acquisition cost.