Production of Tecnam P2012 Traveller serial number three is well underway at the manufacturer’s Capua facility in Italy. The aircraft is slated for delivery to US operator Cape Air in early 2019, and key members of Cape Air’s team including founder and CEO Dan Wolf recently visited Tecnam to inspect the OEM’s progress.

The 11-seat Traveller has been designed to replace the hundreds of ageing aircraft in the FAR23/CS23 category currently in service around the world. Cape Air will be the first to operate the type commercially.

The P2012 test and certification is at an advanced stage. The first two prototypes have completed more than 80 per cent of the introduction to service programme and have achieved close to 400 flight test hours.

“We could have no better ambassador than Cape Air,” says Tecnam CEO Paolo Pascale. “The P2012 Traveller is undoubtedly set to open a new chapter in aviation.”

The P2012 Traveller is equipped with engines and Garmin avionics. EASA and FAA certification is on track for 2018, with an initial delivery of the first 20 aircraft set for in January 2019.