Italian aviation manufacturer Tecnam has become the latest maker to announce plans to start production in China.
Tecnam will produce its 2006T twin, two-seat 2008JC and four-seat P2010 in China, after signing an exclusive agreement with LUSY, Liaoning United Aviation, Shenyan Aircraft Co., Ltd. A new production facility will serve demand for the Chinese mainland, plus Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, aiming at a burgeoning civil aviation industry with a projected need for more than 500,000 commercial pilots.
The first Tecnam produced on the China line will be the P2006T twin, a four-seat Rotax powered aircraft capable of running on automotive fuel, of which Tecnam has already sold more than 150 around the world. Tecnam bills the 2006T as the “smartest” choice for flight schools, with its Garmin 950 avionics suite, retractable undercarriage and low operating costs making it equally suitable for flight training, private use and commercial operations such as aerial surveillance, maritime patrol and agricultural tasks.
Tecnam is pursuing CAAC certification process on its single engine two-seat P2008JC CS/VLA and single engine four-seat P2010 CS/23 fully certified by EASA, with production expected to begin after validation.
Tecnam describes itself as the world’s largest producer of light sport aircraft, with a worldwide fleet of 4000 aircraft and 100 support centres.