There was cause for celebration in Capua, Italy yesterday as the Tecnam P2012 Traveller was taken aloft on its maiden flight.
Under the control of Experimental Test Pilot Lorenzo De Stefano, the Tecnam P2012 performed a faultless set of manoeuvres in front of a very proud Tecnam workforce.
“After a smooth takeoff, I climbed to a safe height to perform our 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.” said De Stefano.
The arrival of the next-generation eleven-seat P2012 Traveller has been very much anticipated by airlines from all the world over, who have been demanding a replacement for the many hundreds of ‘heritage’ aeroplanes in the FAR23/CS23 category currently in service.
Professor Luigi Pascale, head of Tecnam’s research and design team – whose first aircraft design dates back to 1948 – was ‘especially delighted’ to witness the first flight of his team’s latest design.
“Today we have witnessed the beginning of new era for Tecnam. This next- generation aeroplane will deliver to operators not only profits, but reliability, efficiency and off course passenger comfort.” said MD Paolo Pascale.
The Tecnam P2012 Traveller will first see service in passenger carrying configuration with US based Cape Air. However, it has been designed from the start to be a very versatile and flexible aerial platform, offering multiple roles including VIP transport, cargo transport, paradropping and medevac services.
