By Mark J. Donovan
If
you’re looking for a new high wing, four-seater aircraft, that is ideal as a
trainer and for general aviation/purpose flying, and want something different and
better in performance than a Cessna Skyhawk, you’re in luck. The Italian
company Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam just received U.S. Part 23 type certification
on its Tecnam P2010 aircraft. This is a very big milestone. To put it in
perspective, it has been 47 years since the last four seater high wing aircraft
received U.S. Part 23 type certification.
The
P2010 looks very similar to the Cessna Skyhawk, but smoother and sexier. With a
carbon-fiber fuselage and aluminum wing, and a 180 horsepower Lycoming IO-360 engine,
it also provides a higher cruising speed that is closer to the Cessna 182
Skylane. The Tecnam P2010 has a rated cruise speed of 140 knots and a range of
715 nautical miles, and burns about 11 gallons an hour in fuel. And in regards
to fuel, the P2010 can use 100LL or 91 octane mogas (low lead, ethanol free automotive
gas). It also has a maximum useful load of 992 lbs, and a maximum ceiling
height of 15,000 feet.
The
P2010 is also equipped with a full glass cockpit, based around a Garmin G1000
avionics system.
In
regards to price, the base model costs $345K, however the price can approach
$400K when an autopilot and constant speed prop are added to the customer dream-sheet.
So
if you’re in the market for a new high wing, four-seater aircraft that has speed, looks and increased
useful load capacity, and is priced below a brand new Cessna 172 Skyhawk, check
out the Tecnam P2010 aircraft. It’s a dream aircraft that takes advantage of
modern technology, and that quite frankly, has been a very long time in coming.
You should be able to purchase it in the United States in the very near future.
I like it!
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