Tecnam has announced a new 11-seat, twin-engine airplane at Sun ‘n Fun to be unveiled at AERO Friedrichshafen on April 13. The Tecnam P2012 Traveller will concurrently undergo FAA Part 23 and EASA CS-23 certification expected to be completed by the end of 2014. Two six-cylinder, 350 horsepower Lycoming TEO-540-A1A piston engines, specifically designed for the Traveller, will power the airplane. Tecnam projects a 159 gallon fuel capacity, and if the Traveller achieves the anticipated total fuel burn of less than 30 gallons per hour and a cruise speed of 160 knots, the airplane has excellent long-range potential. The engines will be capable of burning either avgas or mogas, eliminating the issue of avgas availability that is currently a reality around the world and has become an increasing threat in the United States. While the main use for the airplane is projected to be passenger travel, Tecnam also anticipates that the P2012 may be put to use as a cargo carrier, parachuting platform or medevac service airplane.
Tecnam also announced a new partnership with Airline Training Solutions, a professional flight training provider out of Jacksonville, Florida, that will use the 100 horsepower, twin Rotax engine P2006T airplane for all basic training, from first flight through 250 hours. Airline Training Solutions also requires its students to fly using the “two pilot cockpit” method of crew coordination training from day one, making the transition to crewed turbine airplanes seamless.
