TECNAM P2012 Rollout
 

Found this while surfing the net this morning.

Tecnam celebrates P2012 Traveller prototype roll-out milestone achievement | Media Room

Does it have a future against turbine singles? Prop clearance would be good for Australian conditions. Engines certified for unleaded fuel by Lycoming. Launch customer operates a substantial fleet of older twins so initial production seems guaranteed?

Looks like an interesting plane that may be suitable to replace the aging PA31 and C402, maybe even the 404, though the 404 has better payloads.

Good for short hops.

Anyone know how much this will cost?

Fixed gear AND winglets..isn't that like putting alloys on and lowering a Mitsubishi chariot

Cirrus/Caravan/Kodiak all have fixed gear. Big saving on maintenance

mattyj, according to their website the fixed gear allows up to 70% savings on maintenance costs, I suspect this figure is not just because of the gear alone but may include other aspects of the design.

The winglets it states were more about improving the OEI Climb Performance.

Assuming a maximum amount of carbon fibre and other weight saving features, if it actually achieves the 175kt cruise they wanted and has a reasonable amount of space for storing luggage this could infact be a pretty amazing Aircraft.

I'm always dubious of claims made before an Aircraft has even seen any flight time, but this does look promising so far.

Anyone else note the lack of Winglets in the news article on their prototype?

I am curious about the engines. The IE2's were launched 7 years ago. I know things in GA move at a glacial pace but the much hyped up launch fizzled and the Lancair Evolution was the launch machine.

Today you can buy your Evolution with a choice of P&WC's kero burners and we know why.

The IE2 has been a dud so far. Mainly because of sensing etc I would expect. Does anyone have any real up to date info on them? The ones shown in a photo six months ago look vastly different to the one I saw at OSH many moons back.

The next thing I wonder about, in a day of "new & modern technology" why would you not use an intercooler and do it properly. Perhaps even use 8.5:1 compression ratio and a bit less boost, but intercooled so that the fuel efficiency is improved. I do get it that if you want 350HP for s/e ops and take-off and climb, the extra MP is required, but why not do things smarter all round?

The fuel burn difference in a commercial operation of a twin could be significant. Lets hope they have done that. This could be a game changer for GA.

Any guesses where the IE2 operates in the cruise? :}

They are still giving it a 'good wrap'....as here....

The iE2 Difference

But then, don't they always....?

Cheers:ok:

Griffo that webpage has been around for the last 7 years.

CTR…..the human brain can do a better job with the three levers without all the "sensors" which I think is what the problems have been.

In theory it should be brilliant but I have not see evidence of that in reality, apart from maybe on the dyno.

Anybody seen anything of these???

I gotta admit Jab, that I much prefer the 3 multi-coloured levers / knobs, 'cause that's the ONLY way that I KNOW what the f#*K is 'a happenin'.....

And 'tis there on the gauges....

Now, please(???) Don't start on me 'cause I don't have GAMI injectors and all the other 'stuff'.

After 50 odd years, its all still 'good'....

Cheers...

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.

not enough seats, too expensive, questionable payload.

I don't really see this being a game changer. A Caravan will beat it every step of the way. meanwhile the EASA SET-IMC direction will kill it.

Launch customer is Cape Air [big C402C operator on US East Coast] for 100....

I've seen it and sat in it. Great cabin as the pax in the rear have the same headroom as those up front unlike a 402/404...


Engines run AvGas and or MoGas. All metal construction. Garmin 1000..

more efficient than a 404 so actually better useful load.

I'm not sure how much carbon fiber would be used, Tecnam normally only use carbon fiber for cowlings, winglets etc, wings, fuselage, control surfaces generally still aluminium for ease of repair and cost.

I wonder if the IE2's will run on MOGAS, or ethanol fuels.
seems pointless to sell an engine these days that can't, It is strange they aren't intercooled and liquid cooled, simply cannot build a properly efficient engine that isn't liquid cooled, doesn't matter how many sensors or computers you throw at an IO-540, it's never going to be anywhere close to a car engine.

Are you sure? Have you compared the BSFC of an air cooled aircraft engine to an automobile engine?

You might be surprised how close the two are. The old Lycoming/Continental lumps may be pretty long in the tooth but they measure up pretty well against the new fangled, computer controlled, liquid cooled, automotive engines.

27/09- AVGAS vs MOGAS
run an IO540 on MOGAS and you will find they produce far far less power for the same amount of fuel.

If specs are actual, ie 175kts at 10000 feet, then this could work.

However at $1.6 million euros it may a tad expensive.

Supermouse, can you provide data to support your claim?

Remember the Canadian Orenda OE600 liquid cooled 600-hp V-8 aero engine project based on a Chevrolet block? Too heavy and powerful for the TECNAM P2012 Traveller, even the 500-hp proposed naturally aspirated version.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orenda_OE600


The project was picked up by TRACE Engines of Midland Texas.
TRACE Engines | World's Most Powerful Aviation V-8

There are a few YouTube videos on the TRACE Engines Beaver.

iE2 engine in P2012 produces 375HP and using FADEC technology does not suffer power degradation on different fuel mixes.

Is the IE2 even certified yet?