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Tecnam hosted a press conference at Sun ‘n Fun, sharing the latest company news and achievements.
The company is attending the 50th annual Sun ‘n Fun and its booth offers attendees a chance to see new models, including the P2010 Gran Lusso and the P2012 Traveller. Tecnam announced recent developments in the American market and South America.
Kenai Aviation takes third P2012 Traveller
Alaskan-based operator Kenai Aviation has welcomed a third Tecnam Traveller to its fleet. Kenai Aviation received its first P2012 Traveller in 2022. The N212US entered into service in Alaska immediately after the delivery ceremony held at the 2022 Sun ‘n Fun. At the 2023 show, Kenai accepted the delivery of the second P2012 Traveller, N244US. These two Tecnam planes have boosted operations in Alaska, allowing for the operator to introduce a third within just 24 months, delivered at the 2024 Sun ‘n Fun airshow.
Kenai has used the growing fleet of P2012 Traveller aircraft to transport passengers and freight over the last two years, the first year with N212US and the second with N244US boosting operations. In the last two years, Kenai has flown 28,278 passengers, transported 28,926 lbs. worth of freight, performed 7,652 flights and logged 4,992 hours. The P2012 Traveller design has led to successful operations in the harsh and extreme operating environment of Alaska. The Traveller has been the aircraft of choice for short-haul operations in the Anchorage area thanks to its customer satisfaction, onboard comfort and space and high dispatch reliability. The third Traveller acquisition will allow the Alaskan operator to boost frequency and better serve the community.
The Traveller seats nine passengers with one or two crew and is a new generation, turbo-charged, twin-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft. The new addition to Kenai's fleet will provide customers with cost-effective and diverse configuration options, while enabling the same experience many travelers expect, like premium interiors, in-seat power, ample legroom and under-seat stowage. With its TKS de-icing capabilities and robust design, the Traveller provides reliable and on-time service to communities in the challenging Alaskan weather environment.
HCH Aviation converts fleet
U.S.-based HCH Aviation has decided to switch to an all-Tecnam fleet. The Texas-based Part 141 flight school is a woman-owned business and has an exclusive partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University to provide professional pilot training as part of the university's flight training initiative. HCH Aviation has partnered with Tecnam for the last two years on acquiring the P-Mentor-certified aircraft. With numerous Tecnam aircraft in the fleet, the trainer will add to and improve the frontline operations with a modern aircraft to serve customers.
"Tecnam has been a wonderful partner in assisting our team in our aircraft needs," HCH Aviation President Kristen Conklin said. "Having a standardized fleet using Tecnam makes complete sense for our team from both a business and training perspective. Whether with sales or product support,Tecnam has been very responsive and supportive at every level. This has made our decision."Find flight schools in the U.S. and around the world with the aviation directory
The P-Mentor is an economical alternative, bringing immense value to a flight school like HCH Aviation. The school has about 75 students and will be growing to 150 in the coming year. To meet the demand, HCH Aviation expanded its fleet with 15 brand new Tecnam P-MENTORs to join the twin-engine P2006Ts already in the fleet. U.S. airlines have already committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and the Stephen F. Austin State University student pilots are happy to fly in environmentally friendly aircraft.
Recent data has shown that flight schools operating with Tecnam's single- and twin-engine fleets can save as much as 10 tons of CO2 emissions for each student graduating with a Commercial Pilot License. This is a 60 percent reduction compared to the fleets using 100LL fuel for 155 flight hours, 30 hours of which is on a twin.
"We are very honored to be the right solution for HCH and all of today's FTOs," Tecnam Chief Sales Officer Walter Da Costa said. "It is not only about selling but, together with HCH Aviation, to innovate the training philosophy and provide better pilots to the market."
Latin American flight school chooses Tecnam
EJ Scola Aeronautica signed a letter of Intention for 30 Tecnam P92 MkII aircraft. Based in Itapolis, São Paulo State in Brazil, EJ Scola Aeronautica has been training since 1999. Between three locations, the school operates a fleet of over 60 aircraft and has 11 flight simulators. The fleet update is a strategic milestone to establish Tecnam as a leading supplier of FTO aircraft. This move will help to supply EJ's leadership with comfortable, new, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable P92s equipped with modern glass cockpit technology.
"Tecnam is our choice to take EJ into the new era of modern flying, where fuel efficiency, sustainability, digital technology and good flight characteristics are a must," Ej Scola Aeronautica Director and Co-Founder Josue De Andrade said.
The P92s climb, efficiency and short field performance are combined with the MkII's composite fuselage to improve cruise performance. The cabin volume is increased, allowing for wider seats, more forward and aft adjustment and improved ergonomics. The advanced Garmin G3X touch avionics are available with synthetic vision and ground proximity warning to provide for additional navigation and situational awareness.
"We are very pleased that the most important flight school in Brazil has chosen TECNAM to replace and upgrade its fleet," Da Costa said. "Today's students are very demanding and deserve brand new aircraft with the latest technology. We thank and welcome EJ Scola Aeronautica for their choice"
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