Second Prototype of Tecnam’s P2006T Has Flown
July 31st, 2008
The second prototype of the Tecnam P2006T has now flown and, reportedly, all test flights have confirmed the positive characteristics and performance displayed by the first prototype of this twin-engine light aircraft.
Static tests and further flight tests are nearing completion, and Tecnam expects to receive the Type Certification for this version (fitted with analogue instruments) at the beginning of October 2008. Certification for the Garmin 950 version of the P2006T will follow shortly thereafter.
In the meantime, the production programme has commenced and Tecnam says it anticipates delivering the first P2006Ts to clients by the end of October this year.
Meanwhile, Tecnam has sealed an agreement with Garmin for the supply of the G950 all-glass avionics suite to be installed in its new P2006Ts. The G950 configuration of the P2006T consists of two multifunction screens and analogue engine instruments.
Garmin has already delivered the first G950 screens to Tecnam and these are about to be installed in the first prototype.
The G950 is positioned in Garmin’s model range between its G1000, which is tailored to the different specific (certified) aircraft in which it is installed and generally includes the GFC 700 autopilot, and the simpler G900X, which is designed for non-certified kit-built aircraft.
According to Garmin, it received numerous requests for the system that has become the G950. The company says that the new system fits a new niche—one which allows OEMs with certified airframes to have the benefits of a proven, Garmin all-glass cockpit, but which—because the G950 isn’t “customisable” and doesn’t include the GFC 700 autopilot—will streamline the certification process.
The G950 integrates all of the primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, surveillance, weather and engine sensor data on Garmin’s high-definition LCDs. Tecnam has chosen two screens, but manufacturers can select between a two or three display G950 system, whose TFT displays boast XGA (1,024 x 768-pixel) resolution with wide viewing angles. The G950 incorporates many of the same features found on Garmin’s other popular avionics suites.
