Simply Gorgeous! — Tecnam Completely Refreshed their Best-Selling Light-Sport Aircraft - ByDanJohnson.com (2024)

I regularly attend Aero Friedrichshafenevery April certain I will see aircraft I’ve never seen before — but also because I will see upgrades to existing popular models. This year my informal award for the Most-Improved category goes to Tecnam and their P92 Echo, now in MkII form.

Simply Gorgeous! — Tecnam Completely Refreshed their Best-Selling Light-Sport Aircraft - ByDanJohnson.com (1)First, congratulations! — As I researched this story I discovered Tecnam had a blow-out year at Aero 2019. The company reported exceeding “allofits pre-show expectations with the sale of 51 aircraft covering Certified and Light categories.”

Tecnam also celebrated its 70th birthday at Aero where a large staff manned an enormous space featuring three new models: P92 Echo MkII, P2008JC MkII, and P2002JF that is now completing full IFR certification.

Success Story MkII

See the P92 MkII video or images for yourself but I think you will agree this is one gorgeous aircraft.

You can find several of our reports about P92 in its many forms via this link. Americans can contact Tecnam’s U.S. base at the Sebring airport.

“After 27 years,” the company announced, “the Tecnam P92 comes back with a new version. P92 Echo MkII comes today with up-to-date technology, composite fuselage, glass avionics, and the same pleasant flying qualities …safe and easy to fly withbeauty, inside and outside.”

As with its earlier models P92 uses metal wings and a metal stabilator. Tecnam engineers stuck with metal wings and stabilator structures “for strength, reliability, and the ability to flex in flight, thereby ensuring a more comfortable ride.” However, “to produce the desired increase in cabin width and greater aerodynamic efficiency [we] chose to construct Mk2’s fuselage with carbon fiber.”

Simply Gorgeous! — Tecnam Completely Refreshed their Best-Selling Light-Sport Aircraft - ByDanJohnson.com (2)They elaborated that they chose both materials —making this a true composite — for the optimization of aerodynamic qualities, flight characteristic, and reliability. “This addition enabled [us] to make construction decisions based on optimum design and structural integrity rather than purely the cost of production.”

P92 Echo MkII’s interior has also been completely redone. “Doors are lined with automotive-type door seals, seats that give full support with excellent leg room, side map pockets as well as pockets in the back of the seats combine to make the MkII a very comfortable aircraft.”

Looks Terrific — Still Flies Great

How is P92 still worth your investigation even while Tecnam has a whole fleet of desirable aircraft? As the specs below show, it cruises near the top of the allowed range. P92 MkII has a low stall speed (39 knots) “with excellent response at all speeds.”

Simply Gorgeous! — Tecnam Completely Refreshed their Best-Selling Light-Sport Aircraft - ByDanJohnson.com (3)Tecnam has long boasted “uncompromising build quality” and P92 MkII has been built to meet requirements for Europe’s CS/VLA standards for aircraftcertified to this category. Tecnam offers models meeting the European ultralight category (different than the U.S. interpretation of that term), LSA ASTM standards, and Part 23 fully certified aircraft. They make models using twin Rotax power and an 11-seat regional aircraft (seen briefly in the video alongside the P92 MkII).

Beside “excellent visibility, roomy space, quiet and ergonomic,” P92 uses anall-movable stabilator-type horizontal tail that is traditional on Tecnam aircraft. They say this “allows excellent controllability and excellent ‘hands off’ longitudinal stability.” My own experience backs up this claim. Every Tecnam I’ve ever flown (most models) have superlative handling.

Simply Gorgeous! — Tecnam Completely Refreshed their Best-Selling Light-Sport Aircraft - ByDanJohnson.com (4)Inside P92 MkII, “the cabin offers newly designed seats and seat rails which are easily operated and adjustable fore and aft via a single handle with a reinforced area between the rails to make cabin access even easier.” The company continued, “A roomy baggage compartment with internal access accommodates voluminous items. A comfortable armrest and USB charger round out the luxurious interior.”

A generously sized instrument panel provides plenty of room for digital screen avionics although a base model is available with simple analog instruments.The model you see in the images and video represent the “Glass Package” featuring avionics from Garmin and their wonderful touchscreen G3X

Here are a few specifications on the renewed P92 Echo MkII when built as a Light-Sport Aircraft. Get more directly from Tecnam:

  • Max Cruise Speed — 115 knots
  • Stall Speed — 39 knots
  • Takeoff Distance — 460 feet
  • Landing Distance — 393 feet
  • Rate of Climb — 755 feet per minute
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight — 1,430 pounds (permits adding floats)
  • Empty Wight — 750 pounds
  • Useful Load — 551 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity — 29 gallons
  • Range — 700 nautical miles
  • Wingspan — 29.5 feet
  • Cabin Width — 45 inches
  • Baggage Capacity — 44 pounds

Simply Gorgeous! — Tecnam Completely Refreshed their Best-Selling Light-Sport Aircraft - ByDanJohnson.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Tecnam P2008 and P92? ›

Resembling the earlier Tecnam P92 and P2004 in general appearance, the P2008 differs by introducing a carbon fibre fuselage and integrated fin. The wings and tailplane are all-metal. It can be adapted to LSA, ultralight or ELA1 categories.

Who makes tecnam? ›

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.

What is the difference between Tecnam P2010 and P2008? ›

The P2010 is a larger cousin of Tecnam's two-seat P2008 light sport model, which also features a composite fuselage with strutted metal wing and tailplane. But there's no doubt the P2010 is a more solid airplane with a suitably more substantial look and feel.

Does the Tecnam have a parachute? ›

Optional BRS ballistic parachute for safe flying and peace of mind for you and your family. Choose from Rotax 912ULS2 100 Hp, or Rotax 912 iS Sport Injection and several propellers, either two blades or three blades, fixed, adjustable or variable pitch.

How many Tecnam P2010 were built? ›

Wingspan: 33 feet 10 inches. Crew: One. Passengers: Up to Three. Number Built: Approximately 200 units.

What kind of fuel does the Tecnam use? ›

It is a four-seat aircraft with fully retractable landing gear and powered by liquid-cooled Rotax engines that can run on 92 octane unleaded automotive gasoline as well as Avgas 100LL.

What is the cruise speed of the Tecnam P2008? ›

The standard P2008 flies behind a 100-horsepower Rotax 912 engine, burns about 4.5 gallons per hour, and cruises at about 116 knots.

Is the Tecnam P2008 an LSA? ›

P2008's first flight took place September 30, 2008 and the first P2008 was delivered to the U.S. in December 2009. All Tecnam models are revered for their “natural” handling. This is one of the most straightforward-flying LSA in the fleet.

What is the difference between Tiltrotor and Tiltjet? ›

The tiltjet arrangement is, in concept, broadly similar to that of the tiltrotor; whereas a tiltrotor utilises pivotable rotors, the tiltjet employs jet engines capable of moving to angle their thrust between downwards and rearwards positions.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5957

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.