Tecnam Finally Talks About Its New Commuter Aircraft

By Kathryn B. Creedy

Leading with the first flight of its 11-seat P2012 Traveller on Thursday, Tecnam provided briefings on its NASA X-57 partnership to advance the science of electric propulsion as well as the expansion of its North American sales and service centers. In addition, Florida-based Director Sales Shannon Yeager discussed the manufacturer’s expansion in facilities both in the US and Italy as well as additions to its product sales and service centers.

“The Traveller is the first clean-sheet design in this space,” he said of the significance of the first flight. “We have identified a market for an unpressurized aircraft for 300- to 500-mile missions. We are on schedule to gain certification in 2017 and are hopeful it will go into service at Cape Air in 2018. It is designed as the first next-generation commuter aircraft for short-haul, low-cost operations.”

Commanded by Experimental Test Pilot Lorenzo De Stafano, the P2012, estimated at $2 million right now, performed flawlessly, according to Yeager, as 93-year-old founder Professor Luigi Pascale watched from the ground. Entry into service with Cape Air, however, relies completely on meeting the milestones promised by Tecnam when the two companies began working together.

Known more for its light sport aircraft including the P92 Eaglet, P2008 and Astore, Tecnam also produces the P2006T twin and P2010 single-engine, four-seat training and touring aircraft.

The arrival of the next-generation Traveller is much anticipated to replace hundreds of aging Cessna Caravans, Air Vans as well as the de Havilland Twin Otters and the Cessna 402s around the world. The company, has in fact, partnered with US regional airline Cape Air which is eyeing the replacement of 83 of its Cessna 402, according to Tecnam. In the meantime, it has created an expensive mini-manufacturing facility at its Hyannis, MA-headquarters in order to keep its vast fleet in the air.

The association with Cape Air is interesting. The airline spent two years scouring the world for a Cessna 402 replacement and found the industry has completely ignored this space and its unique needs. Its decision to work with Tecnam is part of an effort to guide development to ensure it fits the commuter space. However, Tecnam is also targeting other market segments including VIP, cargo, parachuting and medevac services and sees such markets as totaling about 300 aircraft.

The aircraft is powered by two Lycoming TEO 540s. The 540 Series engines are six-cylinder engines with horse power ranging from 250 to 310 at up to 2700 rpm.

U.S. Sales and product support expands

Tecnam’s US presence is in Sebring, FL which is its import, reassembly, demonstration, coordination, technical support and parts depot for the North American market. Yeager indicated increased demand has prompted the company to expand its support bases by adding expertise and services of Indiana-based Eagle Creek Aviation Services as well as Purdue Aviation. In addition it is partnering with Apopka, FL-based First Landings, one of the largest sport pilot training centers in the US, to increase its sales footprint. Tecnam is leveraging First Landings’ operational experience to create a sales agency in addition to becoming a service center.

Eagle Creek focuses on maintenance training and sales for the light jet, turboprop and piston markets and has become a stocking dealer for Tecnam after already serving as an approved airframe maintenance training center for the P2006T. Tecnam indicated it has already taken delivery of its first wave of aircraft from across Tecnam’s entire product line. Eagle Creek will be a hub for sales and service for all sales agents in the US.

Purdue Aviation will be moving into the role as a Tecnam transition training provider for new deliveries and will also become a sales agent for the company. Purdue Aviation will be taking delivery of its first P2006T in August for use in its own flight training and time-building programs. Tecnam and Purdue University hope to develop opportunities for internships and other educational experiences for students.

Transport Canada on cusp of certifying P2010

Yeager indicated that Tecnam is about to receive certification of the P2010 from Transport Canada adding it to the EASA and FAA certifications the company has already achieved for the aircraft.

In anticipation, Tecnam named Composite Aviation in Quebec as its new sales and service center for the Canadian market.

“We see a Canadian market that is looking for an alternative to the traditional players and costs,” said Global Director Sales and Marketing Walter DaCosta.

Testing for the future

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Principal Investigators Sean Clarke and Mark Moore were on hand during the press conference to provide a briefing on its partnership with Tecnam on the X-57 Scalable Convergent Electric Propulsion Technology and Operations Research (SCEPTOR) program.

The X-57, based on Tecnam’s P2006T, is designed to gain knowledge in Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP). The agency will conduct baseline flights with the standard 2006T before equipping the aircraft with a new wing design based on what it finds in the baseline tests.

The use of the P2006T is part of an effort to use off-the-shelf platforms to lower costs for testing  its advanced technology. It will take the next six months to install the electrical propulsion systems.

“The X plane is pushing the frontier in the development of what is needed to take the next step forward in developing a new paradigm on how to power aircraft,” said Yeager. “This is not just about taking an electric motor and sticking it in the same place. It’s about advancing the science.”

Finally, the company has expanded its Italian production facility developing a new, 55,000 square foot production line for the P2012 Traveller.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.tecnam.com