P2002 | |
---|---|
Tecnam P2002 | |
Role | Two-seat light single |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | Tecnam |
The Tecnam P2002 Sierra is a two-seat, low-wing, light aircraft designed and constructed by the Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam. Introduced during the early 2000s, the aircraft quickly became a staple of the company's product lineup, comprising 70 per cent of its available production capacity during some years.
Development of the Tecnam Sierra commenced during 2002. [1] It was developed for compliance with both the very light aircraft (VLA) regulations present in Europe and light sport aircraft (LSA) regulations used in the United States. Under the rules of either area, the aircraft does not need to be provided with a recovery parachute. However, primarily as a consequence of its maximum weight (in a standard configuration) of 580 kg, the Sierra cannot be operated as a LSA in either Australia or Canada due to their lower weight limitation of 550 kg present on LSA. [2]
By 2005, the Sierra had risen to particularly prominence in Tecnam's lineup, the company having dedicated around 70 per cent of its total aircraft production capacity to manufacturing the Sierra alone. [2] By this point, the aircraft was being produced at a rate of six per week, while the company claimed to have an order backlog spanning the following six months. Furthermore, the Sierra could also be supplied in a near 'ready to go' configuration suited to the European trainer market, which was one reported consequence of having secured its VLA certification. [2] By mid-2005, Tecnam had reportedly completed delivery of roughly 180 Sierras. [2]
Since the introduction of the original model, Tecnam has continued to develop the Sierra and pursue additional certification of the type. In the 2010s, in response to customer demand for more luxurious features, the firm introduced the improved Sierra MK II; it is available in three styles: standard, premium, and power. [1] During February 2020, it was announced that the Sierra Mk II had been certified as an ultralight aircraft by German authorities, clearing the type for use across most of Europe. Being permitted an increased maximum weight under this certification, the aircraft can thus be equipped with additional equipment such as a Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS) parachute, new avionics, increased fuel capacity, and various comfort improvements within the cockpit. [3]
The Tecnam P2002 Sierra is a two-seat, low-wing, light aircraft. [2] A major market for the Sierra is the flight training sector; accordingly, its design and several of its major features, such as the use of a low-mounted wing and a bubble canopy, result in the aircraft being particularly well-suited to use as a trainer. Its construction principally comprises conventional aluminium, and enables the aircraft to withstand the maximum load limits of +4/-2g. [2] The wing of the Sierra, consisting of a relatively straightforward planform albeit with stall strips present on the leading edges and gently upturned fairings at the tips, was designed in-house by Tecnam. The wing also accommodates a pair of integral tanks that provides a maximum fuel capacity of 100 litres. [2] [4] The wing is also furnished with electrically actuated flaps that are fully-variable between 0° and 40°; the flaps are controlled via a lever on the base of the left-hand instrument console and their position displayed on a gauge mounted at the top-right portion of the engine instrument cluster. [2]
The aircraft features conventional flight controls, using pushrods and cables that connect with the ailerons, all-moving horizontal stabiliser and rudder. These controls include an electrically actuated pitch trim function, which is operated via two separate buttons on top of each control column for raising and lowering. [2] A steerable nosewheel provides a high degree of ground manoeuvrability, being controlled by the rudder pedals. Hydraulically-actuated disc brakes are present on the main wheels, operated by a vertical lever on the cockpit floor that also controls the parking brake, thus the presence of a locking switch. [2] An engine-driven generator provides electrical power for the flight instrumentation and other onboard equipment, such as the GPS navigation system, VHF radio set, transponder. Some of the instrumentation, such as for the engine, uses analogue gauges. As standard, the instrument console features four flight instruments. [2]
Each aircraft is typically powered by a single Rotax 912 S2 engine, capable of 100 hp (75 kW). [2] In a standard configuration, the engine drives a three-blade fixed-pitch propeller; various alternative propellers can be installed, including both fixed-pitch and variable-pitch models along with two and three-bladed models. The engine is controlled via a pair of push/pull throttle levers, one being centrally mounted at the instrument panel's base and the other to the left of the instrument console, there is no mixture control present. [2] Heating of the cockpit is provided via ducted air from the engine, while cooling and ventilation is provided by multiple side louvers. [2] The cockpit is covered by a sliding bubble canopy, this can be opened mid-flight if desired, [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] although the presence of both a top lock and two side safety locks prevent the canopy opening unintentionally. Even when closed, the bubble canopy reportedly provides excellent levels of external visibility to the pilot. [2]
The Sierra possesses relatively gentle handling qualities, being particularly suited to use as a basic trainer aircraft. [2] In addition to possessing benign stall characteristics, including easily recognisable indications of pre-stall buffeting and being controllable post-stall in roll via the ailerons. In terms of survivability, the aircraft is relatively robust and possesses no apparent deficient aspects to those of contemporary trainer aircraft. [2] According to aerospace periodical Flight International, the Sierra is described as being able to "outperform the old Cessna 150 in virtually every flight regime". [2]
Note that certified models have hydraulic gear and propeller, kit RG model has pneumatic gear and electric propeller.
The P2002 is mostly operated by private individuals and flight schools.
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2007–2008 [17]
General characteristics
Performance
The Aero AT-3 is a two-seat, low wing, utility aircraft manufactured in Poland by Aero AT in ready-to-fly certificated form and as a kitplane. The aircraft is of conventional configuration and features fixed tricycle undercarriage. The structure is largely of all-metal construction. Designed by Tomasz Antoniewski it first flew in 1997 and deliveries to customers commenced in 2002. It is certified under the European Very Light Aircraft regulations. On July 2, 2010 Aero AT-3 was granted an American Federal Aviation Administration type certificate, based on its European VLA certification.
The Flight Design CT series is a family of high-wing, tricycle undercarriage, two seat, ultralight and light-sport aircraft produced by Flight Design of Germany. The family includes the original CT and the CT2K, CTSW, CTLS and the MC models.
Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM S.p.A., commonly known as simply Tecnam, is an Italian aircraft manufacturer. The company has two primary activities: producing aircraft components for various other manufacturers, and manufacturing its own range of light aircraft. The company was founded in 1986 by Italian brothers Luigi Pascale and Giovanni Pascale, veteran aircraft designers and manufacturers. Prior to creating Tecnam, they had been responsible for several other aviation-related projects, including the design and construction of the twin-engine Partenavia P.68. Their original intent in founding Tecnam was to build aerospace parts on behalf of other manufacturers, which initially included American aerospace company Boeing and commuter airliner specialist ATR. When the light-sport aircraft market began to emerge, the brothers entered the field, first with the Tecnam P92, which was well received.
The CSA SportCruiser is a two-seat, single engine, tricycle undercarriage, fixed-wing aircraft that was introduced in 2006 by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), now named Czech Sport Aircraft.
The Tecnam P92 Echo and Tecnam P92 Eaglet are Italian high-winged, light aircraft, designed by Luigi Pascale and built by Tecnam of Naples.
The Issoire APM 30 Lion is a French three-seat light aircraft manufactured by Issoire Aviation of Issoire. Designed as a trainer, the aircraft is type certified under CS-VLA and is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
The Fantasy Air Allegro is a Czech two seat, high wing, tricycle gear, single engine monoplane light-sport aircraft or microlight originally designed and built by Fantasy Air and later produced in the United States by Allegro LSA.
The SportStar and EuroStar are a family of a two-seat, light sport aircraft (LSA), manufactured by Evektor-Aerotechnik of the Czech Republic and powered by a Rotax 912ULS, 100 horsepower (75 kW) engine.
The Tecnam P2006T is an Italian high-winged twin-engined all-metal light aircraft, built by Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam based in Capua, Italy, near Naples. The P2006T received airworthiness certification in the European Union by EASA under CS23 in 2003, type certification in 2009, and Federal Aviation Administration FAR Part 23 certification in 2010.
The Tecnam P2008 is a single-engine, high-wing two-seat aircraft built by Tecnam in Italy but aimed at the US market. It is the first Tecnam aircraft to incorporate major composite components. It was introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2009 show, with first deliveries in December 2009.
The Aerospool WT9 Dynamic is a Slovak ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Aerospool of Prievidza. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
The Alpi Pioneer 300 is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Alpi Aviation, of Pordenone. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Aviadesign A-16 Sport Falcon is an American light-sport aircraft that was designed by Aviadesign, a certified aircraft modification company based in Camarillo, California. The A-16 was announced at Sun 'n Fun April 2006 and introduced at the LSA Expo held in Sebring, Florida in 2007. The aircraft was to be supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
The OMA SUD Redbird is an Italian two-seat, composite light-sport aircraft (LSA) from composite maker OMA Sud. Introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2012, the aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
The Tecnam Astore is an Italian, low wing, two-seater, light-sport aircraft, under development by Tecnam of Naples. It was first flown in early June, 2013, and introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2013. It is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
The ScaleWings SW51 Mustang, formerly marketed as the FK-Lightplanes FK51 Mustang, is an Austrian ultralight, light-sport aircraft and homebuilt aircraft that was designed by ScaleWings of Strasswalchen, Austria and was initially produced by FK-Lightplanes of Krosno, Poland, who introduced it publicly at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2013. After FK-Lightplanes ceased production, the design was built by ScaleWings.
The OneAircraft One is a Slovenian light-sport aircraft (LSA) and certified light aircraft designed by Iztok Šalamon and produced by OneAircraft of Celje. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
The Rokospol Via is a Czech ultralight and light-sport aircraft (LSA), designed and produced by Rokospol Aviation of Prague, introduced at the Prague airshow in 2008. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
The Tecnam Snap is an Italian aerobatic ultralight aircraft, designed by Fabio Russo and produced by Tecnam of Casoria, Metropolitan City of Naples, introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2013. The aircraft was intended to be supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
The Tecnam P-Mentor is an Italian light aircraft, intended for flight training, designed and produced by Tecnam of Casoria. It was introduced in April 2022 and is EASA CS-23 type certified in Europe.