This aircraft if it meets its initial specs could revitalise the small airline sector and charter. The high wing makes it look much more substantial an aircraft than a low wing ie Chieftain.
In a very un scientific survey with friends who don't really like planes, they wouldn't fly in a Chieftain but said yes to the Tecnam because it's "bigger".
The Lycoming rep at Avalon one year said the US military was developing the IE2 engine so thats why it's gone beneath the radar.