Tecnam Makes Progress on P2012 Program

Cape Air’s founder and CEO Dan Wolf puts his signature on the nose section of the first customer P2012, which is expected to be delivered next year. Tecnam

Tecnam is making great progress on the certification program for the 11-passenger P2012. The Italian airplane maker expects to get the sign off from the FAA and EASA later this year and start delivering airplanes next year. Dan Wolf, founder and CEO of Cape Air, the launch customer for the P2012, recently visited the factory in Capua to see the progress on its airplane. Located about 27 miles north of Naples, the Capua factory opened its doors in 2015 and is one of three production locations for Tecnam.

Cape Air’s P2012 is serial number three and the airline plans to add the P2012 to its fleet of 88 Cessna 402s and two Britten-Norman Islanders. The company offers passenger flights in the northeast, Midwest, Montana and the Caribbean.

“We are very proud to have Cape Air as our launch customer,” said Tecnam’s CEO Paolo Pascale. “The P2012 Traveller is undoubtedly set to open a new chapter in aviation.”

Cape Air has provided feedback during the design process of the P2012 along with Lycoming and Garmin, the engine and avionics manufacturers. Two Lycoming TEO-540-C1A engines, each producing 375 hp, power the P2012 to a max cruise speed of 190 ktas. The ability to take off and land on runways as short as 2,000 feet and fly more than 1,100 nm makes the airplane a versatile platform for the airline. Cape Air has placed an order for 100 P2012s, of which 20 are firm.

Garmin’s integrated G1000 NXi provides the latest in avionics technology with two 10-inch PFDs and one 12-inch MFD. The avionics package also includes an ADS-B In and Out-capable transponder. The P2012 first flew on July 21, 2016.

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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