Tecnam P2010 is now sucking diesel
Diesel engines might not be flavour of the month in the automotive world right now, but they’re big business in light aviation. It’s not really a question of emissions, but of cost. You see, rather than using avgas (aviation gasoline), diesel engines allow you to fill up with jet fuel (otherwise known as Jet A1 or kerosene). That not only sounds cool, but it makes flying a little bit cheaper.
All of which is why Tecnam, an Italian company with a flair for sleek, stylish aircraft, has added a new Continental CD-170 jet/diesel engine to its P2010 high-wing tourer. Designed with a fuselage and vertical fin made entirely from carbon fibre, the plane is supposed to be light and efficient, making it suitable for flying schools and private owners.
And it isn’t just the construction that’s modern. The P2010’s instrument panel is awash with ‘glass cockpit’ digital instruments, while a GFC 700 autopilot allows the plane to take some of the strain. Even the 170hp engine is supposed to be easy to use, thanks to its single lever, electronic engine monitoring and redundant safety features.
“The P2010 remains a modern aircraft for flight schools and private owners,” says Paolo Pascale, TECNAM CEO. “With the Continental’s Jet/diesel engine, the P2010 TDI is simply the ‘ideal aircraft’, combining a modern, sleek, ‘green’ design with consistent, robust power.”
