Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM S.p.A., commonly known as simply Tecnam, is an Italian aircraft manufacturer. The company has two primary activities: producing aircraft components for various other manufacturers, and manufacturing its own range of light aircraft.[1] The company was founded in 1986 by Italian brothers Luigi Pascale and Giovanni Pascale, veteran aircraft designers and manufacturers. Prior to creating Tecnam, they had been responsible for several other aviation-related projects, including the design and construction of the twin-engine Partenavia P.68. Their original intent in founding Tecnam was to build aerospace parts on behalf of other manufacturers, which initially included American aerospace company Boeing and commuter airliner specialist ATR. When the light-sport aircraft market began to emerge, the brothers entered the field, first with the Tecnam P92, which was well received.
Tecnam operates two separate production facilities in Italy; the Casoria facility is located adjacent to Naples International Airport. The Capua facility is located adjacent to the Oreste Salomone Airport. The company also operates sales and delivery failities in Sebring, Florida, United States and Australia.[2] As of 2018, it has delivered 5,000 airplanes worldwide and employs 250 people. The founding brothers have both died, but Luigi's nephew, Paolo, is CEO and his son, Giovanni is director of operations.
Tecnam have produced a range of aircraft, most suited towards the general aviation sector. Its light sport aircraft currently in production feature side-by-side twin-seat configurations, aluminum monocoque construction, and are powered by the 100 hp Rotax912S engine. There are several models manufactured, adopting both high- and low-wing layouts, some furnished with retractable undercarriages. In some cases, one model has two different designations, one for flight under the ultralight aviation regulations, and the other for flight under general aviation regulations as a regular certified light aircraft. Many of the aircraft fall within new sub-categories of certified aircraft, e.g. the EASAVLA (very light aircraft) rules in Europe and LSA rules in the United States.[3]
By 2005, one particular aircraft, the Tecnam P2002 Sierra, had risen to prominence in Tecnam's lineup, the company having dedicated around 70 percent of its total aircraft production capacity to manufacturing the Sierra alone.[3] By this point, the aircraft was being produced at a rate of six per week, while the company claimed to have an order backlog spanning the following six months. Furthermore, the Sierra could also be supplied in a near 'ready to go' configuration suited to the European trainer market, which was one reported consequence of having secured its VLA certification.[3] By mid-2005, Tecnam had reportedly completed delivery of roughly 180 Sierras.[3]
The Tecnam P2006T, a four-seat twin engined aircraft, made its maiden flight in 2007. It is powered by a pair of 100 hp Rotax 912S piston engines, driving variable pitch propellers, and retractable landing gear.[4] The P2006T was certified by the EASA during 2009,[5] while Part 23 certification was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration during the following year. In addition to its general aviation usage, the P2006T can be operated in other capacities, including as a maritime patrol aircraft, a specially furnished multi-mission model has been developed for military uses.[6][7]
During October 2015, the company announced that it has formed a partnership with Chinese aircraft manufacturer Liaoning United Aviation, a division of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, to produce the Chinese-certified P2006T at its facility adjacent to Faque Airport in China, for delivery to customers throughout the Chinese market, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Additional aircraft, including the two-seat Tecnam P2008JC and the four-seat Tecnam P2010, shall also be produced at the same facility once certified by local authorities.[10][11]
That same year, it was announced that Tecnam was working on its first jet-powered aircraft, referred to as the P-Jet; this aircraft is intended for use as a light military trainer or reconnaissance aircraft. Powered by a single engine turbofan engine, it shall feature a side-by-side seating arrangement and retractable tricycle landing gear, along with a twin rudder arrangement.[12]
Throughout the 2010s, Tecnam developed their first commercial aircraft, the P2012 Traveller; it is being marketed towards the commuter airliner, VIP, cargo, parachuting and medevac sectors of the market.[13] Publicly revealed in April 2011,[13] and having performed its maiden flight on July 21, 2016,[14] it received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration during August 2019,[15] As of 2017, the company can reportedly produce up to 40 P2012s per year.[16] Tecnam has forecast a demand for 11,500 short-haul commuter aircraft between 2018 and 2028.[17]
During 2017, Tecnam reportedly built around 200 aircraft; it had a target to build a similar amount during the following year. According to aerospace periodical Flight International, the firm's recent sales have been dominated by two aircraft, the four-seat P2006 and two-seat P2008.[18] During 2018, the company stated that it is considering establishing additional production capacity, including another factory, if demand for its aircraft justifies the investment involved in undertaking such an expansion.[19]
^ abBayerl, Robby; Berkemeier, Martin (2011). World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12. Lancaster UK: WDLA UK. p. 80. ISSN1368-485X. OCLC1013186505.
^Jackson, Paul (2011). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011-12. Redhill, UK: IHS Jane's. pp. 394, 396. ISBN978-0-7106-2955-5.
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