Italian manufacturer Tecnam is this year celebrating 75 years since their founding fathers, Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, produced their first aeroplane.
The P-48 Astore of 1948 was the start of a long line of designs that would over the decades revolutionise recreational aviation and make a lasting contribution to general aviation.
In the aftermath of World War II, the Pascale brothers scrounged engine part from a flea market full of post-war equipment and fashioned their own airframe. The Astore would fly three years later as the first successful Pascale design.
The same inspiration would go on to give the world the Partenavia P.68 an P.64/66 Oscar (now both Vulcanair models), the Tecnam P92 Echo, P2006T, P2010 and the 11-seat P2012 Traveller.
Today the company is known as Tecnam, based at Capua north of Naples, and is still in the hands of the Pascale family.
"My family's accomplishments in aircraft design and manufacturing have inspired me," said current Managing Director Giovanni Pascale. "My career at Tecnam started almost 13 years ago; having been a mechanic and a metal sheet worker, I appreciate our aircraft’s engineering and simplicity.
"Flying the Tecnam aircraft, I had the opportunity to appreciate the amazing flying characteristics of our fleet. Implementing my experience in our manufacturing process, sales, and service, it’s a family tradition founded on passion and heritage. A lifetime commitment focused on innovation and consistency, 75 years in aviation is a tremendous achievement.
"We look forward to what lies ahead for Tecnam and our customers.”
With manufacturing still at the company's spiritual home near Naples, Tecnam has branched out with agencies all over the world and subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, and Southport, QLD.
“Tecnam operates in more than 65 countries and has over 175 dealers and service centers to meet our customer needs,” said Tecnam CEO Paolo Pascale. “Our goal is to expand our global presence and enter new markets in the very short term.”
Last year, Tecnam delivered 209 aircraft of all models around the world.