P2006T Targeted At Flight Training Market

The Italian company Tecnam took the wraps off its new light twin at Airventure 2009 Monday. They say the P2006T will be targeted towards the flight training segment of the aviation business.

The P2006T is a high-wing twin powered by a pair of Rotax 912 engines, which Tecnam says will use less than 10 gallons per hour at cruise. The 4 place twin will be available with analog or glass panels, the latter featuring a Garmin G950 EFIS with fully integrated avionics, has a useful load of about 880 pounds with full fuel, and will cruise at about 140 mph.

Tecnam spokeswoman Lynne Birmingham said the twin will be marked to flight schools in the United States, as it has been in Europe. She said the P2006T will "revolutionize" the light twin market by combining the higher level of safety afforded by a twin with low operating costs, including low fuel consumption and the ability to use premium-grade automotive fuel. 

Birmingham said Tecnam expects the twin to start at around $409,000 for the analog version, and the glass cockpit model to be about $60,000 more. With delivery, Birmingham said, the airplane would cost in the neighborhood of just over $500,000.

The airplane will be attractive to flight schools, Birmingham said, because the low cost of operation will encourage more flying time, which will lead to greater proficiency. Tecnam has already started deliveries in Spain and Austria, and plans to expand to Ukraine in the next few weeks. First U.S. deliveries are expected in February 2010 for the analog version, and in June of next year for the glass panel aircraft.

FMI: www.tecnam.com