Tecnam Light Twin Wins FAA Certification

The FAA has certified the Tecnam P2006T twin for VFR and analog IFR. Its Garmin G1000 suite is certified for IFR in Europe with FAA compliance expected later this year. Power comes from a pair of Rotax 912S3s rated at 98 horsepower each. Performance figures list maximum cruising speed at 148 knots, with a 53-knot stall speed in landing configuration. Fuel burn is about five gallons per hour at 75 percent power for a cruise speed of 135 knots. With a max takeoff weight of 2,601and standard empty weight listed as 1,675 pounds, useful load is 926 pounds. Payload with max fuel (52 gallons) is 618 pounds. Single-engine rate of climb at sea level is listed as 230 feet per minute. The Tecnam design team comes from the former Partenavia company, which manufactured light twins similar in appearance, but with conventional aircraft engines. The Tecnam P2006T sells for between $420,000 and $520,000 depending on optional equipment installed.