Tecnam P2012 Traveller

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller is an advanced twin piston aircraft, crafted in Italy by TECNAM for a global mission. Developed by a team led by Professor Luigi Pascale, it is EASA/FAA certified. It accommodates 2+9 passengers in a single seat cabin and is powered by two Lycoming TEO-540-C1A 375 hp turbocharged engines with electronic engine control and fixed gear.

This high-wing, unpressurized multi-role workhorse features short takeoff and landing performance. It can operate from runways as short as 1,849 ft on dirt, gravel, or grass. Equipped with TKS ice protection for flight into known icing and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with GFC-700 autopilot, it ensures safe single pilot operations. The P2012 offers configurations like airline, combi, medevac, full cargo, and special mission. It carries a useful load of 3,117 lb, cruises at 194 kts, and has a range of 950 nm.

Expert behind this article

Jim Goodrich

Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.

What is the Tecnam P2012 Traveller?

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller is a multi-role, fixed-gear, twin-piston aircraft. The aircraft is high wing, has large windows, expansive cabin doors, and two pilot doors. The aircraft has a length of 39 feet (11.9 meters). The engine is the 2X Lycoming TEO-540 C1A.

The P2012's large cabin can accommodate up to 11 seats with a maximum of nine passengers. The versatile cabin is set up in a commuter configuration with seats for nine passengers and two pilots. It can also carry cargo, with a cargo hatch height of 114 cm (44.9 in). The aircraft is powered by two Lycoming six-cylinder turbocharged piston engines, delivering 375 horsepower each.

The P2012 Traveller is certified for single pilot VFR/IFR, for all-weather, and PBN. A Multi Engine Piston rating is required, but no type rating issue or renewal is needed. It is approved by EASA, many other authorities worldwide, and FAA. The aircraft is ready for Part-135 operations, including air ambulance service and cargo flights at night. Over 120 units have been delivered, and the first arrived in America on September 25, 2019.

What are the specifications of the Tecnam P2012?

The specifications of the Tecnam P2012 are given in the table below.

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller has a length of 11.8 m (38 ft 7 in), a height of 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in), and a wing that spans 14 m (46 ft). Seating capacity is 2+9 passengers in a single seat cabin accommodation, and cabin volume is 8.9 m3 (314.3 cu ft). Cargo volume (front + rear bay) is 0.45+1.7 m3 (16+59.8 cu ft). Standard empty weight is 5,040 lb (2,286 kg), max takeoff weight (MTOW) is 8,113 lb (3,680 kg), and max landing weight is 8,003 lb (3,630 kg). Useful load is 3,117 lb (1,414 kg) and useful payload is 3,117 lb. Fuel capacity is 198 US gal (750 L), and max ramp weight is 8,157 lb (3,700 kg).

The standard powerplant is two Lycoming TEO-540-C1A engines, each 375 hp, driving four-blade MT propellers. It has a Multi Engine Piston (MEP) rating with no type rating issue or renewal required. Max cruise speed at 10,000 ft is 359 km/h (194 KTAS), and cruise speed at 75% power is 320 km/h (173 KTAS). At 75% power, fuel consumption per engine is 25 gph, and at 65% power, it is 21 gph for 162 KTAS. Max range is 950 nm (1,760 km), service ceiling is 19,500 ft (5,944 m), and rate of climb is 1,200 fpm (6.1 m/s).

The P2012 STOL variant is equipped with a GTSIO-520-S engine manufactured by Continental Aerospace Technologies, 2x375 hp, and has a wing that spans 16.6 m (54.4 ft). Its standard empty weight is 5,326 lb (2,416 kg), and useful load is 2,831 lb (1,284 kg) over an MTOW of 8,113 lb (3,680 kg). Takeoff distance MTOW is 1,394 ft (425 m) and landing distance MLW is 1,181 ft (360 m). The P2012 is suited for regional operators, special missions, air ambulances, corporations, law enforcement, combi, charter, and cargo. It is certified worldwide including EASA, FAA, UK, Australia, India, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Taiwan, Seychelles, Pakistan, and it is certified single pilot VFR/IFR, all-weather, PBN. The Traveller Combi allows mixing passengers and cargo by replacing any seat with a cargo pod.

What is the performance of the Tecnam P2012?

The performance of the Tecnam P2012 is given in the table below.

The Tecnam P2012 has a max cruise speed of 194 kts (223 mph) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m) and a normal cruise speed of 173 kts (199 mph). If speed is reduced to 170 knots, fuel burn is 50 GPH. At 82 percent power and 2,400 RPM, the aircraft can cruise at 180 KTAS consuming 68 GPH. Slowing down to 45 percent power results in 25 GPH at 130 KTAS. Vne is 226 KIAS and Vno is 176 KIAS.

The service ceiling is 19,500 ft (5,944 m). For aircraft with G1000 Nxi, maximum operating altitude is 19,500 ft (5,944 m), otherwise, maximum operating altitude is 13,000 ft (3,962 m). Rate of climb at sea level is 1,200 fpm (6.1 m/s). Single engine best rate of climb at 5,000 ft (1,524 m) is 107 ft/min (0.54 m/s).

Due to a very low minimum control speed, takeoff distance over a 50-foot (15.24 m) obstacle is about 2,159 ft (658.06 m). On paved runways at sea level, standard takeoff distance over a 50-ft (15.24 m) obstacle is 2,596 ft (791.26 m), increasing to 2,849 ft (868.38 m) on dry grass. The ground roll is 1,849 ft (563.6 m). The P2012 can utilise runways as short as 1,791 ft (546 m) at maximum weight. The STOL variant reduces takeoff distance to 1,394 ft (425 m), with a ground roll of 902 ft (275 m).

Landing distance over a 50-ft obstacle is 2,438 ft (743.1 m), and the landing ground roll is 1,198 ft (365.2 m). The STOL variant achieves landing distance of 1,181 ft (360 m) and landing run of 509 ft (155 m). The airplane can conduct a steep approach with a 12-degree gradient at 110 KIAS. The aircraft is equipped with a fixed tricycle landing gear, and the pneumatic shock absorbers make landings easy. The STOL variant has a max range of 905 nm and an operative range of 540 nm. Maximum endurance is almost eight hours.

What engine is used in Tecnam P2012?

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller has two Lycoming TEO-540-C1A engines. Each engine produces 375 horsepower. The engines are six-cylinder turbo pistons. A second engine option is the Continental GTSIO-520-S, rated at 375 hp each.

What avionics are used in the Tecnam P2012?

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller and P2012 STOL have Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, and they have a GFC 700 autopilot. The SPACE cockpit is based on Garmin G1000 NXi and GFC 700, and it has been customized to allow a reduced workload while boosting single-pilot operations. The flight deck is designed around the SPACE concept: a Single Pilot Advanced Cockpit Environment. The avionics system is mainly based on the Working Title G1000Nxi. However, only two avionics devices, ADF and DME, are not part of the Garmin system, but they interface with the G1000Nxi. An independent stand-by instrument Mid-Continent MD302, along with a magnetic compass, provides the pilot with a backup of primary flight information, altitude, attitude and namely airspeed.

Due to the new GPS system, the G1000 NXi has path-flying abilities and helps with landing guidance using a computer. It has LPV lowest safe approach points and is LNAV minima, so the modern cockpit system has lowest safe heights for combined side-to-side and up-down guidance. The lowest allowed height for LPV approach is part of the set of rules for flying by GPS. The G1000 NXi avionics suite runs on 28V battery power setup. The P2012 STOL has a configurable Garmin glass cockpit avionics suite and has single-pilot flying certification.

What is the Tecnam P2012 interior like?

The Tecnam P2012 interior has a large cabin with executive cabin sizing, a continuous flat floor, and a constant cabin section for the full length of the fuselage. The cabin has a height of 4.45 ft (1.35 m) and a width of 4.8 ft (1.47 m), with an area of 314.3 cu ft (8.9 m ). The P2012 is an unpressurized aircraft, with durable fixed landing gear and a high wing, all metal and corrosion proof. The cabin access is via a wide opening with a three-part rear door and the larger passenger door has an integrated set of steps. The flat floor runs the entire length, making it easy to load cargo. The cabin can accommodate up to nine passengers plus two pilots.

The cockpit is designed for function and pilot comfort, including electrical seat height adjustment. The P2012 is equipped with the latest Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and GFC 700 autopilot. All circuit breakers and most electrical switches are on a large overhead panel, with fuel selectors and ignition switches directly forward. All panels are within easy access by either pilot. The flight deck and large cabin windows give in-flight visibility. The SPACE flight deck provides room to stretch your legs, so long-range flights are comfortable.

Standard passenger seats are nine fixed, single comfortable premium seats with no side-by-side sitting. Each seat has a three-point safety belt, personal LED reading light, USB port, cup holder, outlet for fresh air and heat, and under-seat storage. Folding armrests are optional. For executive missions, the cabin can feature a four-seat club seating area with two additional forward-facing seats, legroom of 94 cm (37 in), and versatile seat adjustments including reclinable backrest, forward, aft and lateral sliding, rotation, and retractable armrests. Two electrically retractable tray tables provide a workspace. Executive interiors offer active noise cancelling via LEMO headset plugs, electronically dimmable panoramic windows, adjustable LED ambient lighting, and Starlink-capable USB-C ports with home-style sockets. Standard cabin noise levels are 75 to 85 decibels during cruise and soundproofing cuts average interior noise to 87 dB.

What is the price for the Tecnam P2012?

New Tecnam P2012 base price is $2.6 million. The P2012 STOL’s price starts from 2.75 Mln $ plus options. The new price range is USD 2,250,000 to USD 2,600,000. Used P2012 Traveller has a price around USD 2,250,000 for version year 2021. The special luxury version’s starting price is $2.6 million. P2012’s average price is $3 million. Operational costs are $391.82 - $404.58 per flight hour, about 400 dollars per hour. And Tecnam P2012 has total costs that stay the same every year of one hundred fifty thousand to two hundred thousand dollars.

Which is better: Tecnam P2012 vs Cessna 402?

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller is the alternative to the Cessna 402. Tecnam P2012 has expenses of $600 per hour. It has fuel use of 22 containers of fuel per hour, gas use of 25 gallons per hour, and gas cost of $132 per hour. It has an airframe upkeep cost of $80 per hour, cost to keep engine ready of $25 per hour, extra charge for motor backup of $35 per hour, and payment for coverage of $30 per hour. The Cessna 402C has gas usage of 32 gas containers per hour (121.13 liters per hour), fuel use of 36 gallons per hour (136.27 liters per hour), money for gas of $190 per hour ($190 per hour) and gas expense of $216 per hour ($216 per hour). It has upkeep of $150 per hour, extra engine fee of $40 per hour, and cost to insure of $70 per hour. So, the Tecnam P2012 has lower fuel used, lower upkeep, and lower payment for coverage.

The P2012 Traveller has a top speed about 223 miles per hour (359 kilometers per hour) and a cruise speed about 198 miles per hour (319 kilometers per hour). The Cessna 402B has a speed of about 171 miles per hour (275 kilometers per hour), which is slow compared to the Traveller. The Cessna 402 has a well established help network and built help from companies and workers who keep it running. Cessna 402’s parts are easy to find. However, Tecnam P2012 has hard to find spare parts and is regularly in maintenance.

The P2012 Traveller’s modern flight deck uses fuel and conserves cuts fuel compared to hand-flying. Tecnam P2012’s acquisition cost is approximately $3 million. Used Cessna 402 does not have a standard cost. Quotes change between companies.

The Tecnam P2012 has air conditioning, very fast speed, and lower operating costs due to less fuel use. The Cessna 402 has very slow speed but a mature help network and easy to find spare parts. If comfort and efficiency matter, the Traveller is better. If support networks matter, the Cessna is the better choice.

What are the differences between the Tecnam P2012 and the Kodiak 900?

The differences between the Tecnam P2012 and the Kodiak 900 are given in the table below.

The main difference between the Daher Kodiak 900 (introduced 2023) and the Tecnam P2012 Traveller (introduced 2019) is range, where the Kodiak 900 has the advantage. The Kodiak 900 has the longer published range - 1,380 nm versus 950 nm for the P2012 Traveller - delivering 45% more range and 16% more cruise speed at 214 kt versus 185 kt. The P2012 Traveller carries more passengers at maximum configuration - up to 11 seats, compared with 10 on the Kodiak 900 - delivering 10% more passenger capacity.

The P2012 Traveller’s takeoff ground run is about 0.8 km (half a mile), its landing ground roll is just under 0.4 km (a quarter mile), takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle is 600 m (1,970 ft), landing distance over a 50 foot obstacle is about 0.8 km (half a mile), and STOL landing roll without obstacle is about 155 m (509 ft). The Kodiak 900 does not have verified ground roll for takeoff, does not have takeoff distance over fifty feet, does not have approved distance from touchdown to stop, and does not have confirmed distance to stop over fifty feet.

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller has a typical price of $2.75 million while the Kodiak 900 has no published price. Insurance for the Kodiak 900 costs $750 to $900 per year for experienced pilots. The P2012 has a cost of coverage of 0.9% to 1.3% of airplane price per year. The P2012 Traveller's Lycoming engines have a time between fixes of 1,500 to 2,000 hours, a full rebuild from the company costs $50,000 to $60,000, and a factory replacement costs $105,000. The Kodiak 900's PT6A 140A engine has a TBO of 3,600 hours, and fixing up the engine costs $300,000 to $500,000.