Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam’s P2012 Traveller aircraft completed its maiden flight on July 21.
The new eleven-seat commuter aircraft, from its Experimental Assembly Line (XAL) in Capua, Italy, is designed to comply with both FAA Part 23 and EASA CS-23 and was test flown by pilot Lorenzo De Stefano.
De Stefano said that he climbed to a safe height after take-off to perform pre-planned maneuvers and check the behavior of the aircraft, engines and flight controls.
The Traveller will first enter service with US based Cape Air as a passenger aircraft but is also designed for other uses such as carrying VIPs and cargo and carrying out parachuting and medevac missions.
The aircraft is 11.8m in length and has a wingspan of 14m and seating for nine passengers.
Flight testing should lead to certification in 2018; service entry is targeted for 2019.
July 29, 2016
