It took an innovative Italian company just a few years to pull off what no one else had been able to do for decades. In an announcement made December 15, Tecnam has earned FAA certification for its head-turning P2010 high-wing four-seater under Part 23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. According to Tecnam, the new model is the first new high-wing four-seater to earn FAA approval in many decades, the next most recent being the Cessna Cardinal in the late 1960s. Despite its sleek appearance, the P2010 boasts impressive performance characteristics, including a cruise speed of 140 knots on 11gph, a range of around 750 nm and a useful load of 992 pounds.
Tecnam has already been delivering P2010s to Europe and plans on expanding its 25,000 sq. ft. reassembly facility in Sebring, FL. In the near-term, it’s possible to divert production slots from the active line in Italy to U.S. customers.
