Tecnam’s P2006T was designed by Professor Luigi Pascale as Tecnam’s first twin-engine airplane. At first, Tecnam considered simply enlarging one of its existing two-seat singles to create a four-place airplane, but the company decided instead to offer an economical certified twin, targeting the multi-engine training market.
The P2006T is designed to carry a maximum of four people powered by a pair of Rotax 912S engines, rated for 100 hp each. Pascale chose the Rotax for their light weight of 141 pounds, the low frontal area of about 1.5 square feet, and the 912 is approved for autogas.
The Rotax uses a 2.43 reduction gearing to downgrade the engine’s 5,800 rpm to 2,400 prop rpm. Technically, the 912S engines are rated for 98 hp apiece on takeoff and 92 hp maximum except takeoff (METO) power. The 912S also is liquid-cooled, so it’s less susceptible to the ills of shock cooling.
The Tecnam’s gross weight is only 2,600 pounds with a 13 pounds/hp power loading and the P2006T offers a low 47-knot stall speed, this from 159 square feet of wing.
Pascale designed the P2006T to be constructed almost entirely of metal. The sculpted winglets atop each wingtip are molded fiberglass, but the rest of the airplane is mostly pure aluminum. Wings feature single-spar design with long-span ailerons and, as mentioned above, the big flaps reduce stall to a leisurely 47 knots.
There are two doors for cabin access, a conventional left side crew door for copilot and pilot, plus an aft right side door for passengers. Entry to the front office is a simple matter of stepping in and settling into the seat.
Tecnam utilizes a standard electro-hydraulic retraction system. The trailing-link gear is mounted in pylons that extend horizontally outboard from the lower fuselage abeam the rear seats. The wheels fold into partially open wells in the bottom fuselage. Gear retraction is about six seconds up and four seconds down.
Cleaned up and accelerated to 90 knots, the P2006T scores a reasonable 1,000 fpm climb at gross, 1,200 fpm at lighter weight. Single-engine climb is listed at 230 fpm. Service ceiling is 15,000 feet. The Frise ailerons are quick and the all-flying stabilator provides good pitch control in all attitudes from stall to cruise.
Tecnam lists the P2006T’s single-engine service ceiling at 7,000 feet, and coincidentally, that’s the optimum cruise altitude for the airplane with both engines running true. Cruise with everything against the stops works out to 140 knots or a bit more. Climb to 9,000 feet, where 65% is all there is, and this gives 135 knots on about 1.5 gph less fuel burn. At 65% setting, burn drops to 4.4 gph/engine, 8.8 gph total.
With a max fuel capacity just under 53 gallons, endurance at high cruise should be about four hours plus reserve, enough for 550 nm cross-countries. Tecnam’s P2006T sports good short-field characteristics. It can lift off in less than 1,000 feet of smooth, dry runway and grind to a halt in the same distance. Though the gear is retractable, the airplane sits tall on the ground, and grass strips shouldn’t present a problem.
2009 TECNAM P2006T
Base price: $407,000
Engines: 2 x Rotax 912S, 100 hp
TBO: 1500 hr
Fuel type: 100LL, mogas
Propeller: 2-blade, CS Hoffman or MT
Landing gear type: Tri./Retr
Max takeoff weight: 2600 lb
Empty weight, std: 1675 lb
Useful load, std: 925 lb
Usable fuel, std: 52.6 USgal
Payload, full std. fuel: 609 lb
Wingspan: 32 ft. 3 in
Overall length: 26 ft. 5 in
Overall height: 8 ft. 8 in
Wing area: 159 sq. ft
Wing loading: 16.4 lbs./sq. ft
Power loading: 13 lbs./hp
Seating capacity: 4
Cabin doors: 2
Cabin width: 48 in
Cabin height: 46 in
Cruise speed, 75% power: 140 kt
Cruise speed, 65% power: 135 kt
Fuel consumption, 75% power: 10.2 USgph
Fuel consumption, 65% power: 8.8 USgph
Best rate of climb, SL: 1140 fpm
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft
SE climb, SL: 230 fpm
SE service ceiling: 7000 ft
Vso: 47 kt
Takeoff ground roll: 898 ft
Takeoff over 50 ft. obstacle: 1213 ft
Landing ground roll: 656 ft
Landing over 50 ft. obstacle: 1279 ft
