Tecnam's new charter twin, the P2012 Traveller, made its maiden flight in Italy last Friday.
The P2012 is an FAR23 eleven-seat high-wing powered by two Lycoming TEO-540 piston engines, designed to replace the world's ageing piston twins such as the Piper Navajo/Chieftain and the Cessna 400 series.
Test pilot Lorenzo De Stefano flew the aircraft from Tecnam's home runway of Capua, north of Naples, and reported no unwanted surprises in the performance.
"After a smooth take-off, I climbed to a safe height to perform our pre-planned manoeuvres to check the basic behaviour of the aircraft, engine and flight controls," he said.
"The aircraft responded exactly as expected. After a couple of circuits around the airfield, I landed and the Traveller stopped in a very short distance. I am really excited about the Traveller program.”
Professor Luigi Pascale Tecnam’s Head Research and Design Team, whose first aircraft design dates back to 1948, was especially delighted to witness this remarkable first flight on his latest aircraft design.
“Today we have witnessed the beginning of new era for Tecnam," Prof. Pascale said. "This next- generation aeroplane will deliver to operators not only profits, but reliability, efficiency and off course passenger comfort.
"The Tecnam design team have answered all these customer needs with the P2012 Traveller. We feel we are contributing to real innovation in aviation! ”
The launch customer for the P2012 is US regional airline Cape Air, which has signed a Letter-of-Intent for 100 Travellers to replace their 80-strong fleet of Cessna 402s and Britten-Norman Islanders.