22 July 2016
Tecnam gave its new P2012 Traveller twin its first flight yesterday at its HQ at Capua, Italy.
The 11-seat aircraft was flown by Experimental Test Pilot Lorenzo De Stefano who said, “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.
“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.”
The P2012 Traveller will fill a special niche for airlines demanding a replacement for the many hundreds of ‘heritage’ aeroplanes in the FAR23/CS23 category currently in service around the world.
“Today we have witnessed the beginning of new era for Tecnam,” said Paolo Pascale, Tecnam’s Managing Director.
“This next- generation aeroplane will deliver to operators not only profits, but reliability, efficiency and off course passenger comfort. We feel we are contributing to real innovation in aviation.”
Tecnam’s new 11-seat mini-airliner, the P2012, on its maiden flight. [Photos; Tecnam]
