The Italian government has agreed to partially fund development of Tecnam’s P2012 Traveller piston-twin, paving the way for the Capua-based manufacturer to step up development of the 11-seat aircraft.
“We couldn’t complete the programme without this funding,” says Tecnam chief executive Paolo Pascale. “The P2012 is a key focus for the company. We are working towards first flight in the third quarter of 2015 and certification two years later.”
The company is also planning to build a 6,500m2 manufacturing facility at its site, dedicated to P2012 production. The Lycoming TEO-540-powered P2012 was launched in 2011, marking the airframer’s entry into the commercial aviation market.
The programme has so far been financed by the privately-owned company, which anticipates it will cost around $90 million to bring the aircraft to market. “The government funding will cover around 40% of the costs,” Pascale says. The remainder will be provided by Tecnam. “We will also have to find fresh money”, he adds.
The P2012 is designed to fill a gap in the market for a next-generation, 11-seat commuter piston-twin, replacing ageing designs such as the Cessna 402 and the Piper Navajo.
Tecnam collaborated on the P2012’s design – which is now frozen – with US commuter airline Cape Air, which is seeking to replace its fleet of 402s and Navajos.
“Cape Air is still on board and we hope to finalise a firm order from them in the next couple of months,” says Pascale. “We have also received a lot of enquiries from operators worldwide. The P2012 is proving very popular.”
The Garmin G1000-equipped avgas and mogas-fuelled P2012 is priced at around $1.8 million.
The type has fixed gear allowing it to operate from unpaved runways, large panoramic windows and four doors, including a sliding passenger door and a cargo door. It is designed to achieve a maximum cruise speed of 215kt (400km/h) at 10,000ft, with a long-range cruise speed of 170kt.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
