AC-2 AveniQ · Market Driven by Design

The future of regional cargo, multi-mission by design.

Aviation Composites New Zealand is developing the AC-2 AveniQ: the West's largest design-ready autonomous cargo aircraft. A 22-metre, all-composite single-turboprop with a 6,000 lb payload and roughly 200 kt cruise, it is a purpose-built replacement for the world's ageing regional feeder fleet. One airframe, multiple roles. Design is complete; prototype construction is ready to begin.

Meet the AC-2 AveniQ Multi-mission capability
As featured in
Aviation Week

“New Zealand startup targets regional cargo feeder aircraft market.”

Graham Warwick · 17 Jul 2026 Read the feature
§ 01VISION · MISSION · VALUES

Redefining the
economics of
regional aviation.

AC-2 AveniQ in cargo livery, side profile

Aviation Composites New Zealand pioneers advanced aerodynamics and composite manufacturing to build cleaner, more efficient, multi-mission aircraft and UAV platforms, engineered to evolve with the technology and markets of the future.

  1. 01

    Our vision

    To build a globally recognised aerospace company that pioneers advanced aerodynamics and composite manufacturing, developing cleaner, more efficient, multi-mission aircraft and UAV platforms that redefine the economics of regional aviation.

  2. 02

    Our mission

    To develop and commercialise the AC-2 AveniQ: a new generation of UAV-ready, alternative-propulsion, multi-mission aircraft that delivers a step-change in economics for operators and integrators, starting with the global feeder cargo replacement market.

  3. 03

    Our values

    Precision, innovation and integrity in everything we design and build. ACNZ brings over 35 years of certified composite expertise, from America's Cup racing yachts to NZ CAA and FAA-certified aerospace structures.

  4. 04

    One airframe

    The AC-2 AveniQ serves multiple operational roles from a single, common airframe, expanding the addressable market and maximising the return on every aircraft built. Engineered for a 40-year operational life.

§ 02AC-2 AVENIQ · TURBOPROP EDITION
AC-2 AveniQ TP · Single PT6-class engine · Cargo, surveillance & multi-mission · Crewed & UAV-ready

The future of
regional cargo
aircraft.

With a 22-metre wingspan, 6,000 lb payload and approximately 200 kt cruise on a single PT6-class engine, the AC-2 AveniQ is a purpose-built, all-composite answer to the world's most pressing need in regional feeder aviation: a modern replacement for an ageing global fleet. An all-composite airframe of roughly 200 structural parts (against the thousands in legacy aluminium designs) makes it dramatically simpler and more economical to build, operate and maintain.

Max take-off weight
16,792 lb / 7,615 kg
Payload
6,000 lb / 2,721 kg
Cruise (target)
200 kt TAS / 230 mph
Wingspan
72.18 ft / 22.0 m
Max height
15.74 ft / 4.8 m
Typical mission
200-450 nm / 370-833 km
Max fuel
1,055 US gal / 4,000 L
Structural parts
~200 (entire airframe)
Powerplant
Single PT6-class turboprop
Certification
NZ CAA Part 23; FAA to follow

NZ CAA Part 23 certification pathway. FAA certification to follow under the bilateral agreement with the NZCAA. Preliminary specifications subject to change.

AC-2 AveniQ all-composite regional cargo aircraft, registration ZK-CNZ, on the apron with ground crew
AC-2 AveniQ · ZK-CNZ TURBOPROP / CARGO

~25% lower capital cost and ~40% lower operating costs

§ 03ONE AIRFRAME · MANY ROLES
AC-2 AveniQ in a military tactical configuration, finished in low-visibility grey
AC-2 AveniQ · MULTI-MISSION CREWED / UAV
Multi-mission capability · UAV-ready

Designed to serve
many markets
without redesign.

From day one the AC-2 AveniQ was architected as a versatile platform. The same common airframe addresses multiple markets and roles, switching mission without a structural redesign, which expands the addressable market and maximises the return on every aircraft built.

  • Regional cargo & UAV operations
  • Regional 19-passenger transport
  • Maritime surveillance: 23 h endurance (UAV variant)
  • MEDEVAC
  • Aerial firefighting
  • Military tactical operations
  • Counter-drone patrol
  • Equipment airdrop & paradrop

Configurations preliminary and subject to change.

§ 04AC-2 AVENIQ · HYBRID · HYDROGEN · ELECTRIC
AC-2 AveniQ · Hybrid, hydrogen & electric · Zero emission · Autonomous · Future propulsion-ready

Same airframe.
No emissions.
No pilot required.

The AC-2 AveniQ platform was designed from the outset to adopt new propulsion as it reaches the market, so the airframe does not need to be reinvented to evolve. The future edition re-engineers the turbine for hybrid, hydrogen and electric propulsion, targeting zero in-flight emissions and fully autonomous freight operation.

Propulsion
Hybrid / hydrogen / electric
Emissions
Zero in-flight (target)
Operation
Autonomous-capable
Airframe
Shared with AC-2 AveniQ
Readiness
Future propulsion-ready
Status
In development

Preliminary concept subject to change.

AC-2 AveniQ hydrogen and electric future variant, livery NZ-AC2electric, in flight
AC-2 AveniQ · NZ-AC2electric HYDROGEN / ELECTRIC
Profile line-up of AC-2 AveniQ configurations: crewed cargo, autonomous cargo, hydrogen / electric and 19-passenger

One airframe. Multiple roles. Crewed cargo, autonomous cargo, hydrogen / electric and 19-passenger, all from a single common platform. Design is complete; prototype construction is ready to begin.

§ 05A HISTORY OF INNOVATION

35+ years laminating
the things people thought
couldn't be built that way.

ACNZ brings together more than 35 years of certified composite design and manufacturing: NZ CAA and FAA-certified aerospace structures, composite components for state-of-the-art racing yachts including America's Cup campaigns, and advanced certified aviation systems. That depth of real-world composite experience is the foundation on which the AC-2 AveniQ is built.

  • Carbon Maxi superyacht "My Song"

    Carbon Maxi “My Song”

    84 ft carbon superyacht · Nauta / Cookson for Loro Piana S.p.A.

  • Cookson 50-foot carbon yacht

    Cookson 50′

    Carbon racing yacht · for Cookson Boats

  • 50-foot carbon resin infusion

    50′ Carbon Resin Infusion

    Resin-infused carbon hull · for Cookson Boats

  • Kiwi 40FC lightweight resin-infused interiors

    Kiwi 40FC Interiors

    Lightweight resin-infused interiors · for Cookson Boats

  • Furio composite aircraft static test

    Furio · Static Test

    Composite airframe qualification · for Falcomposite

  • Furio RG retractable-gear composite aircraft

    Furio RG

    Retractable-gear composite aircraft · for Falcomposite

  • Carbon spray system static test

    Carbon Spray System · Static Test

    Composite spray architecture · for Airlift Technologies

  • Certified Carbon Spray System EVO2

    Certified Carbon Spray System EVO2

    Certified composite spray system · for Airlift Technologies

§ 06THE PEOPLE

Built by a team that
has done it before.

ACNZ unites specialists across design, composite manufacturing, engine integration and fit-out, flight test, systems and communication, with more than 35 years of certified composite experience behind them.

Meet the full team
§ 07DISPATCH

Latest dispatch

17 JUL 2026

Aviation Week features the AC-2 AveniQ.

Aviation Week reported on Aviation Composites New Zealand and the AC-2 AveniQ, our all-composite regional cargo aircraft, framing it as a purpose-built answer for the regional feeder cargo market and a direct challenger to twin-engine incumbents. The piece highlights how New Zealand's decades of composite yacht and aerospace expertise underpin an airframe of fewer than 200 structural parts, designed for simple, overnight repairs without specialised tooling.

“We can do with one engine what the SkyCourier has two engines for, and this is fundamentally due to aerodynamics and composites.” Lapo Ancillotti, Founder & CEO, ACNZ
By Graham Warwick · Read at Aviation Week ↗
11 APR 2024

Launched to the world at Warbirds over Wanaka.

Aviation Composites New Zealand launched its groundbreaking AC-2 design to the international market at the Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow, alongside other leading releases in the event's Future of Aviation pavilion. On show was the AC-2 AveniQ: a full-composite regional cargo single-turboprop with a maximum take-off weight of around 16,800 lb, intended to dramatically simplify and reduce production cost while improving operating efficiency and future-proofing the platform from the outset.

“A carbon aircraft will be more aerodynamically efficient, use less fuel, reduce emissions, be more economical to maintain, and offer a larger cargo volume to better meet the needs of the growing e-market.” Lapo Ancillotti, Founder & CEO, ACNZ
By Isla McKechnie · Warbirds over Wanaka
§ 08ENGAGE

Let's build the
future of flight.

General enquiries
[email protected]
Specific enquiries
Lapo Ancillotti
Founder & CEO
[email protected] +64 21 296 3487
Operations
Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
41.27° S · 174.77° E
Write to us