Tecnam's new-generation charter twin, the P2012 Traveller, is on schedule to enter service in January 2019.
The Traveller is a high-wing twin designed to replace legacy piston-engined aircraft such as the Piper PA-31 and Cessna 400 series.
The two prototype test airframes have completed 80% of the certification program and now have nearly 400 hours under their belts. Tecnam is confident of FAA and EASA certification to FAR23 before the end of the year.
Tecnam has starting manufacturing the first production aeroplane, which will form one of 20 to be delivered to lauch customer Cape Air in the USA starting in January next year. The company built a factory at Capua, Italy, especially to manufacture the new aircraft.
The P2012 will be powered by two Lycoming TEO-540-C1A engines putting out 375 hp each, giving the 11-seater a maximum speed of 190 KTAS and a range of over 1100 nm. It will have a useful load of 1350 kg and use Garmin G1000 NXi avionics.