Tecnam unveils P2010 TDI
Tecnam announced the introduction of a new player into the General Aviation arena. With the Type Certificate expected by July, the P2010 TDI has been one of the most secret development programmes ever.
An aircraft burning just 5.2 US gallons per hour (less than 20 litres), with roomy, Italian-style shaped cabin interiors, and taking advantage of the high-wing configuration with three access doors plus another dedicated one for the baggage compartment, is no longer a dream. Nor is it a dream to cover 1,000nm with the full tank capacity of 63 US Gal (240 litres). The P2010 TDI role is to fill a gap in customers’ choices, as they can now order the ‘Twenty-Ten’ with three different powerplants and three different fuel capabilities: automotive unleaded (approved on 180hp version), Avgas on the most powerful 215hp variant and, from now Jet / diesel.
The P2010 TDI is a concentrate of state-of-the-art technologies, where Tecnam’s capabilities to manage both metal and composite technologies have shaped a unique solution in terms of efficiency, load carrying structure and unique Italian style: fuselage and vertical fin entirely made of pre-peg carbon fibre provides the best use of space, whilst wings, horizontal tail and rudder, as well as all the load-carrying structures, are built with 70 years’ experience of light alloy structures.
Flight safety is self-explanatory in the latest certification requirements followed by the electrically adjustable height, 26G-capable crashworthy seats, whilst the flying experience is the ultimate with the Garmin® G1000® NXi glass cockpit and GFCTM 700 autopilot, entirely integrated and tuned around the ContinentalTM CD-170, full FADEC and single-lever controlled engine. Continental’s Jet / diesel powered 170 HP engine offers ease of flying with its single lever, coupled with electronic engine monitoring and redundant safety features. The CD-170 is the newest design and also the highest horsepower engine in the CD-100 series family, proven with more than 6,000 engines delivered and over 7.1 million service flight hours.
The P2010 remains a modern aircraft for flight schools and private owners, says Paolo Pascale, Tecnam CEO.
“With the Continental’s Jet / diesel engine, the P2010 TDI is simply the ‘ideal aircraft’, combining a modern, sleek, ‘green’ design with consistent, robust power.”
“We are proud to be Tecnam’s newest aircraft partner, bringing innovative aircraft to aviators around the world,” says Chris Kuehn, Continental’s Vice President of Sales, Support & Services. “We remain committed to serving our partners and Tecnam’s customers with expert service and support. This partnership reinforces our dedication to provide customers a freedom and choice with their engines that only Continental can provide.”
Tecnam’s history
The company’s roots go all the way back to the Italian brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale who began to develop and produce innovative aircraft soon after the end of WWII. Since those early beginnings, the family has continued to create original models, first gaining worldwide recognition under the name Partenavia, which translates as ‘Naples Aviation’. Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam was established in March 1986 and now operates in three production facilities. The Casoria facility is located adjacent to Naples’ Capodichino Airport whilst the main factory is next to the ‘Oreste Salomone’ Airport in Capua.
Recently new facilities were established in Sebring, Florida, USA and in Australia to serve and support the needs of Tecnam’s local owners and operators. www.tecnam.com
Continental Aerospace Technology
Continental® has been a recognised world leader in the development of aviation products. Continental’s aircraft piston engine leadership stretches from the A-70 radial engine, which established a new level of smoothness and reliability, to the engines for the Voyager aircraft, which successfully circumnavigated the globe without refuelling. Whenever breakthroughs were made, Continental was involved. From the Piper® Cub to the setting of world altitude records for manned piston aircraft, Continental® has led the way. Continental was the first to introduce the horizontally opposed cylinder configuration to help increase aircraft speeds and the first to introduce both fuel injection and turbocharging in General Aviation aircraft. Continental delivered cutting edge technology with its Full Authority Electronic Controls (FADEC) and service system to piston powered General Aviation aircraft.
On a historical note, Tecnam’s very first aircraft, the Astore P48, built in 1948, was powered by a Continental engine; the A65. The connection between the two companies therefore spans more than 72 years.