Production begins immediately on the Tecnam P2006T twin-engine four-seat aircraft in China under a new agreement between China’s Liaoning United Aviation, Shenyan Aircraft Co., and Italy’s Tecnam general aviation aircraft company. The retractable-gear aircraft is powered by two Rotax 100-horsepower 912S liquid-cooled engines.
Eventually the Chinese company, located at Faque Airport, will build three Tecnam models for China-based customers, adding the two-seat Tecnam P2008JC and the four-seat Tecnam P2010 featured recently in AOPA Pilot.
The aircraft are primarily aimed at training pilots. A press release from Tecnam indicated that China might need a half-million pilots in coming decades.
The Chinese facility will manufacture, sell, and service the aircraft for China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-based operators.
The multiengine P2006T is already certified by China's Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC, like our FAA). In addition to training, it could be used for private owners, aerial surveillance, maritime patrol, and agricultural applications, the Italian company said in a statement.
Tecnam is going through the CAAC process for the P2008JC two-seat aircraft and four-seat P2010.