Italian airframer Tecnam has received European type certification for the P2012 Traveller, three years after launching development of its flagship piston-twin. US approval is imminent, and Tecnam is now preparing the first examples for delivery to co-developer and launch customer Cape Air early next year.
The US regional airline has signed a deal with Tecnam for 100 of the Lycoming TEO-540-C1A-powered aircraft comprising 20 orders and 80 options. These will replace its fleet of Cessna 402C piston-twins and Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders, which number 88 of the former and four of the latter, according to Cape Air.
Tecnam
Tecnam says the Traveller's arrival "is much anticipated" by many airlines, who have been demanding a replacement for the "hundreds of heritage aeroplanes in the FAR23/CS23 category in service around the world" and coming to an end of their useful commercial life. "The Traveller is also set to open many profitable opportunities in the short-haul transportation segment," the company adds.
Tecnam has secured orders and options for 125 Travellers and will launch a demonstration tour next year to drum up sales of the 950nm (1,750km)-range, high-wing model.
The €2.35 million ($2.7 million) Traveller was introduced by Tecnam in 2011 as its first dedicated commercial aviation platform. The first test aircraft made its maiden sortie in July 2016, and the second joined the certification campaign in December 2017. The pair flew a total of 600h before flight testing was wrapped up in late October.
Source: Flight International
