Tecnam made a splash this year at Aero, with a full display of its lineup in hall A4. Four new aircraft models topped the highlights for the Italian OEM, whose ongoing expansion in its home base of Capua near Naples will be definitively required for the company to execute on production of these upgrades and the parts needed to support them.
First among the group was the P2008JC NG, which received its amended EASA CS 23 type certificate, delivered by EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet at the show. The first delivery of the P2008JC NG transpired as well, going to Tecnam Flight Academy based at Capua.
Tecnam also launched its P2010 MkIII, the four-seater now available with standard factory air conditioning and a modernized interior.
Third, the long-selling P92 model now comes with a Rotax 915 iS, which Tecnam says will offer enhanced climb performance and improved high-altitude capabilities.
AvBrief visited the site this week following the show, and the progress since my last trip there for the 75th anniversary has shown dramatic development. We walked through the new, still mostly empty manufacturing space and had a coffee in the new customer reception center. (Adding to the apparently 1,100-plus espressos served to Tecnam’s guests at Aero last week). On our walk through the nine hangars now housing Tecnam operations, we saw several of the new models that had returned from the show, including number four, the well-appointed VIP version of the P2012 Traveller, and an AC-equipped P2010 ready to roll out the door.
We weren’t able to fly during our time there—the still-soaked grass runway precluded it—but we’ll plan to follow up when we get back stateside, as Tecnam continues to deliver healthy sales of its latest and greatest, which are all updates to already certificated aircraft and generally ready to go.
Among the larger fleet orders to EU-based companies announced at Aero, the largest came from Greybird Aviation Group (with locations in Denmark, Sweden, and Spain), which placed an order for 13 aircraft (10 P-Mentor, three P2006T NG). Next, Spanish ATO European Flyers signed up for 12 P2010 TDI aircraft, while Center Air Pilot Academy in Denmark) ordered 11 new aircraft (10 P-Mentor, one P2006T NG). Smart Aviation in Poland signed on for 10 new P2008JC NGs, and ACS Aviation in Scotland went for four P-Mentors with six options for the two-seat trainer. Finnish Aviation Academy (FINAA) took delivery of their third P2010 TDI, as part of its 10-aircraft contract with Tecnam. Finally, AirTaxi Express AG in Germany purchased a P2006T NG, and A-VIATOR in Belgium will acquire a P2008JC NG.
The new facilities at Capua (ICAO identifier LIAU) will soon include a paved runway at the publicly owned, public-use airport (it also includes an Aero Club across the field), which Tecnam spokesman Stefano Mavilio expected to be completed later this year if things progress apace. Tecnam isn’t waiting—it has a great need for more room as it works to bring its composite manufacturing from another site in the metro area to the new building on the main base. The company is unique in its dedication to building around 85% of its own parts and subassemblies, a fact that kept it going strong during the pandemic years. Mavilio projected that the nearly 140,000-square-foot space would be operational in just a few months. We’ll return to see it—and enjoy another espresso.
It seems like C150s and PA28s are slowly falling by the wayside as these many new training planes keep being produced. I guess it’s time. I’m also thinking that at the prices of these new machines, most training must be focused on professional flying. Steam gauges or six packs are not the focus anymore. I’m going to confess. Before I sold my Aeronca a few years ago, as I was flying down towards a morning breakfast, a low overcast began to occur with the ceiling dropping a bit lower. I was well above the MVA and well below any MEAs. With my $16 needle ball off eBay, I just let the ceiling dropped down on me. With my destination reporting clear, I just IMC needle, ball, airspeed myself along for about 10 minutes. Was so satisfying. I wanted to continue but the overcast shortly released me. Glass! Aeroncas don’t need no stinking glass. Yea, yea, I know I was bad. But I’m old and was hanging it up. So leave me alone! Bet some of you have had a bad moment on occasion.
I wonder why the P92 is coming with a Rotax 915iS engine rather than a 916iS? I’m sure it doesn’t need the extra 20HP on takeoff, but having an engine with a 2000 hour TBO sounds much better than a 1200 hour TBO for a flight school.