Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft.
While the Continental O-200 engine — used in several LSA — attains Chinese ownership, Lycoming appears to be making a stronger push to enlist LSA manufacturers. One example at AERO 2011 was the upgraded Tecnam Eaglet, which airshow visitors could compare with either Rotax or Lycoming O-233 power. The appearance difference was significant and may test the market for preference for the European Rotax engine that powers 75% or so of all LSA versus the standard bearer Lycoming that has hauled generations of Americans through the skies.
A major difference is the air-cooled Lycoming versus the liquid-cooled Rotax. Those big fins to cool the Lycoming demand what one Tecnam rep called “power bulges.” The effect on the nose cowl surrounding the engine is dramatic and I’ll bet pilots like one or the other better…which is exactly the point. Tecnam will continue building both so you can — as Burger King puts it — “have it your way.”
The company has also upgraded the interior of the Eaglet, launched at Sebring 2009, with a highly finished interior complete with new interior door treatments. In sharp contrast to the bare bones Cessna Skycatcher (but on par with some other LSA models), the Italian company’s work results in a handsome cockpit that is much more user friendly.
Tecnam mounted what I perceived to be the largest display of all AERO 2011’s 630 exhibitors. They filled a large, very professional exhibit with a dozen aircraft running from the Eaglet to the new four-place P2010, a military version of the company’s twin, and a mockup of the 11-seat regional airliner. Tecnam had so much to talk about, officials held three press conferences; their work represents a huge amount of development in the last few months. In their press announcements, Tecnam reported selling 210 single engine aircraft plus 55 of dual-Rotax Twins… all during 2010 which, as every knows, was a miserable year for aviation and most other industries. In a word, IMPRESSIVE!
For more on Sport Pilot/LSA: ByDanJohnson.com
Nice article Dan. Indeed, Tecnam, the world’s largest manufacturer of light aircraft, is finally getting noticed in the US. They have a terrific representative in the nice folks at Heart of Virginia Aviation in Richmond, now also running the FBO in Winter Haven, FL. I just heard from Tecnam’s management that their entire fleet of aircraft, from the entry-level LSAs, their new 4-seat P2010, and their two twin-engine planes , P2006T and P2012, all can operate on autogas. Talk about forward-thinking! They know that the days of avgas availability are numbered.