Tecnam P-92 Echo

The P-92 originated with a 60 hp engine. The original certified model in P92 series was the P-92J This model was upgraded as the P92-JS. The P92-JS fea-tures all the improvements of P92-Echo S ultralight which contained the Rotax 912S engine of 100 hp, shorter span wing and a number of external fuselage fairings and cleanups. The P92-JS model is a fully certified, to JAR-VLA, two seat training aircraft. All P92-J and P92-JS are certified under Registro Aeronautico Italiano / Ente Nazional per L’Aviazione Civile – ENAC RAI A-340.

The P-92-200RG features a retractable undercar-riage. A simple pneumatic operation with the gear mechanism supported by a carbon fibre transverse arm beneath the cockpit floor. The gear leg is sim-ply a hollow tube. No oleo is fitted as the under floor arm provides a firm yet flexible ride. For the actuation mechanism, every com-ponent is available commercially. The system is charged by a separate-from-engine electric compressor - a Mercedes unit. System pressure is maintained at 7.0 bar. A cycle of the landing gear sees a pres-sure drop of 2.0 bar and the compressor re-charges the system in 10 - 15 seconds. Two high compressed air bottles are located be-hind the cabin bulkhead. Normal operation is from one bottle with the other fully charged as a back up and fitted with a non return valve. Operation of a panel switch will charge the primary bottle if there is a compressor failure. Two full cycles are avail-able from the bottle contents. If problems still persist for any reason the gear can be manually lowered by reducing speed to 50 kts and a slight pitch up of 0.5g will allow the gear to free fall and lock down until the fault is rectified. It’s a light easily maintained high-speed system with a significant amount of plumbing. The owner’s manual offers good clear maintenance guidelines and procedures.

Other systems on the aircraft include elec-trically operated flap and trim, plus a hydraulic braking system and vacuum system for associated instrumentation. The cabin is wide at 1.1m. Increased cruise performance comes not only from the retractable gear. Other features such as better aerodynamic performance with the rounded belly and the shorter span wing than its fixed gear high wing siblings assist. There are slotted flaps too on this model which allows for a steeper approach.

The concept is suited best to long distance cruising. Tanks hold 95 litres usable and the Rotax 912S of 100 hp fairly sips fuel at a 65 per cent throttle opening. The propeller is of relatively coarse pitch which allows for a cruise of 120 kts at 75 per cent and consequently take-off speed builds a little slower than expected.

Tecnam P92 Tail Dragger

Tecnam had a plan to help pilots circumvent the cost of LSA ownership: a five-year lease program for its P92 Echo Light that debuted in 2012. Terms for the $74,000 S-LSA: $499/month, with a "Time Building" starting at $59/hour.

Tecnam's 2012 fleet of LSA includes the P92 TD taildragger, P92 SeaSky float plane, P92 Eaglet trainer. Engine choices: Rotax 912 ULS, 912iS (Eaglet) and 914 Turbo (P92 TD).

Gallery

P92 Echo
Stall: 33 kt / 38 mph / 61 kmh
Cruise: 105 kt / 121 mph / 195 kmh
VNE: 135 kt / 155 mph / 250 kmh
Empty Weight: 281 kg / 619 lbs
MTOW Weight: 450 kg / 992 lbs
Climb Ratio: 1260 ft/min / 6 m/s
Take-off distance (50ft obstacle): 590 ft / 180 m
Landing distance (50ft obstacle): 330 ft / 100 m

P-92J
Certified
MAUW: 1140 lb
Seats: 2

P-92JS
Certified
Engine: Rotax 912, 100 hp
Fuel cap: 90 lt
ROC: 1000 fpm
T/O (50ft): 245m
Cruise (75%): 108 kts
Fuel burn @ cruise: 20 lt/hr

P-92 Echo
Ultralight
Engine: Rotax 912S, 100 hp
Cruise: 75%, 111 kts
Max speed: 124 kts
Vne: 140 kts
ROC: 1250 fpm @ 65 kts
Stall: 36 kts
Max X-wind: 15 kts
Range: 510 nm
TO run: 100m
Ldg run: 100m

P-92 Echo Super
Ultralight
Engine: Rotax 100 hp

P92 Eaglet
Base Price: $109,000
Engine: Rotax 912 ULS2/S2, 100 hp
Max takeoff weight: 1320 lb
Empty weight, std: 730 lb
Useful load: 590 lb
Cabin width: 46 in
Baggage capacity: 44 lb
Design load limit (G’s): +4 to -2
Vh: 118 kt
Vs: 45 kt
Vso: 37 kt
Vne: 154 kt
Cruise speed, 75% power: 114kt
Best rate of climb: 1200 fpm
Demonstrated crosswind: 15kt

P-92-2000RG
Engine: Rotax 912S, 100 hp
Max speed: 135 kts
Cruise: (Econ) 116 kts @ 18 lt/hr
Cruise @ 75% pwr: 124 kts
Wing span: 8.7m
Height: 2.5m
Wing Chord; 1.4 m
Aspect ratio: 6.2
Length: 6.4m
Wheel track: 1.75m
Wing area: 12 sq.m
Empty wt: 281 kg
MTOW: 544 kg
ROC: 1260 fpm
Stall: 33 kts
Service ceiling: 14,800 ft
T/O dist: 460 ft
Ldg dist: 360 ft