Tecnam P2006T: The world's lightest twin-engine aircraft is still in production today
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Tecnam P2006T: The world's lightest twin-engine aircraft is still in production today

At first sight aircraft attracts with its design: the elegance of the lines of the fuselage and wing reveals its Italian origin. It is not for nothing that this country has given the world so many talented artists! It is clear that the smooth curves and completeness of the configuration are, first of all, a tribute to aerodynamics, but still, the creators of the Tecnam P2006T cannot be denied the sophistication of the exterior.


The idea of ​​a twin-engine aircraft came to the engineers of Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam in 2003. Before that, the company, located in Capua (near Naples), was known for producing small aircraft with one engine.

Tecnam P2006T: The world's lightest twin-engine aircraft is still in production todayTecnam P2006T, registered in Russia. Photo: youtube.com

The Tecnam P2006T first took to the skies on September 2007, 13. Two years later, the company received a type certificate for its aircraft, and in 2010, the FAR Part 23 document. It was “shown” to the public in 2009 at the AERO-2009 exhibition held in Germany (Friedrichshaven). That same year, the aircraft attracted the attention of spectators at the annual air show in Oshkosh (USA, Wisconsin). There, the aircraft demonstrated its aerobatic capabilities. Despite the fact that the niche of four-seater aircraft in small aviation is quite densely “staffed”, the Italians took a risk: they put the Tecnam P2006T on the assembly line and were right. By 2011, 100 units had been built, and by 2017, 578 units of equipment.

What is interesting in the design


In essence, it is a classic: a high-wing monoplane with a pair of Rotax 912S engines integrated into the wings, the ends of which are crowned with winglets. There is nothing unusual about the tail unit either: an inverted "T". The chassis is completely retractable. Although the design is all-metal, the engineers managed to achieve minimal weight. The machine is considered the lightest twin-engine certified aircraft in its class.

The engine is the well-known Rotax. Photo: youtube.com

To ensure the rigidity of the fuselage, only two doors were made: for the pilots on one side, and for passengers on the other. True, there is also an emergency hatch above the pilots. The wing mechanization is controlled by rods, although cables and pulleys are more common.

There is nothing unusual in the cabin. Photo: youtube.com

It is interesting that the aircraft can be supplied to the customer (at his request) with either a digital or an analog instrument panel. Technical data of the aircraft:

✅ wingspan, length, height - 11,4, 8,7 and 2,9 m
✅ maximum takeoff weight – 1,23 t
✅ engine power – two 100 hp each.
✅ maximum speed, cruising – 287 and 269 km/h
✅ ceiling - 4,3 km
✅ flight range (time) – 1204 km (4,25 h)

The aircraft is designed for three passengers and one pilot. Or it can transport cargo weighing up to 420 kg. The fuel used is 92-octane gasoline or Avgas 100LL. The basic version cost $2017 in 450.

Modifications


The basic version is indexed P2006T and is intended for private use by civilians. However, the military was also interested in the model: as a result, the military version T-2006A appeared.

The instrument panel can be digital or analog. Photo: youtube.com

It is mainly used by the Italian (and other) Air Force to train pilots to fly multi-engine aircraft. The company also offers two versions of Tecnam for patrol (including maritime): MPT P2006T and P2006T MMA with equipment from Airborne Technologies.

Exploitation


The aircraft is popular abroad. It is in the Air Force (Dominican Republic and England), the Civil Guard (Spain), and educational institutions (Romania). It is used to patrol natural objects in the USA or simply as a taxi in India. Even NASA liked the aircraft: an electric prototype is being developed based on the P2006T.

Tecnam P2006T Review in Russia

True, under a different name - X-57 Maxwell. In Russia, this aircraft is mainly operated by Chelavia. The company trains future commercial pilots on it.
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