Tecnam Aims at Certified Market

With the capacity to carry 11 passengers, the P2012 is by far the largest airplane Tecnam has brought to market since it opened its doors in 1948. The high-wing, twin-engine airplane will operate on two Lycoming TEO-540-A1A engines, rated at 350 hp. All Lycoming equipped Tecnams will run on either mogas or avgas. Tecnam North America CEO Phil Solomon says the expected economy fuel burn is less than 30 gallons per hour for both engines. The projected cruise speed is 170 knots at 6,000 feet, and the top speed is targeted at 215 knots. Certification for the Traveller is expected at the end of 2014, and the estimated price of the Traveller is 1.5 million euros ($2.2 million).

Tecnam also announced the four-seat P Twenty-Ten designed with an all-carbon-fiber fuselage, metal wings and rudder, and a 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-M1A engine. The planned fuel capacity for the airplane is 55.5 gallons, and Tecnam projects a cruise speed of 133 knots at 75 percent power, giving the airplane a 545 nautical mile range. Solomon says certification of the P Twenty-Ten is targeted for the end of 2012. Average price for the P Twenty-Ten is estimated at around 200,000 euros ($300,000) with a Garmin G500 panel, though several options will be offered.

As if two new certified airplanes are not enough, Tecnam is also working on a version of its Eaglet — the P92 Eaglet G5-LY. Changes have been made to the door, engine mount, nose wheel, and baggage area, and an additional luggage space has been added. The new Eaglet will be equipped with either a Rotax engine for about $135,000 or Lycoming IO-233-B2A engine at an additional cost of $12,000.