Engineering:Tecnam P-Mentor
| P-Mentor | |
|---|---|
_(4-10-2024).jpg) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Light aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Tecnam |
| History | |
| Introduction date | April 2022 |
The Tecnam P-Mentor is an Italian two-seat, low-wing light aircraft, purpose-built for ab-initio through instrument flight training, designed and produced by Tecnam, in Capua, Italy. It was introduced in April 2022 and is EASA CS-23 type certified in Europe, later followed by FAA Part 23 and Transport Canada validations..[1][2][3][4][5]
The design was first unveiled at AERO Friedrichshafen in April 2022.[1][2] Conceived as a single-platform trainer from PPL and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. The P-Mentor combines a Rotax 912iSc3 advanced Garmin glass cockpit, and an all-metal/composite airframe to deliver full IFR capability[5] and is now operated by flight schools worldwide.[6]
Design and development
The P-Mentor was designed to comply with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency EASA CS-23 regulations for certified light aircraft. It was EASA CS-23 certified on 7 April 2022.[1][3]
The design features a cantilever low-wing, two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration, driving a two-bladed variable pitch propeller.[1][2][3][4]
The aircraft wing has a light alloy spar and wing box, with a carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer leading edge. The 9.0 m (29.5 ft) span wing is equipped with slotted flaps of 75% span, plus frise ailerons. The standard engine employed is the 75 kW (101 hp) Rotax 912iSc four-stroke certified powerplant.[1][4]
The design uses a new tapered planform wing, employing a laminar flow airfoil, which meets the EASA CS-23 requirements for low speed handling and stall characteristics without a ballistic parachute, although a parachute is approved and available as a factory option.[1]
The aircraft may be equipped for IFR flight. For training use it may be optionally equipped with a simulated retractable landing gear handle, although the landing gear does not actually retract.[1][3]
Specifications
Data from AVweb, Flying, Manufacturer[1][3][4]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 6.74 m (22 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)
- Empty weight: 430 kg (948 lb)
- Gross weight: 720 kg (1,587 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 130 litres (29 imp gal; 34 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912iSc four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed variable pitch
Performance
- Cruise speed: 217 km/h (135 mph, 117 kn)
- Stall speed: 81 km/h (51 mph, 44 kn) flaps down
- Range: 1,350 km (840 mi, 730 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
Avionics
- Garmin G3X flight display
- Garmin GI275 backup instrument
- Garmin GFC 500 autopilot
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 O'Connor, Kate (14 April 2022). "Tecnam Unveils P-Mentor Trainer". AVweb. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/tecnam-unveils-p-mentor-trainer/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Tecnam Unveils P-Mentor Certified Two-Seat Trainer". Aviation Week. 13 April 2022. https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/aircraft-propulsion/tecnam-unveils-p-mentor-certified-two-seat-trainer.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Godlewski, Meg (13 April 2022). "Tecnam Unveils P-Mentor Training Aircraft". Flying. https://www.flyingmag.com/tecnam-unveils-p-mentor-training-aircraft/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A. (2022). "P-Mentor Two Seater IFR Trainer". tecnam.com. https://www.tecnam.com/aircraft/pmentor/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Tecnam P-Mentor Earns Full Part 23 FAA Certification" (in en-US). 2024-05-09. https://www.flyingmag.com/tecnam-p-mentor-earns-full-part-23-faa-certification/.
- ↑ "Tecnam Brings the P-Mentor to North America - Plane & Pilot" (in en-US). 2023-07-26. https://planeandpilotmag.com/tecnam-brings-the-p-mentor-to-north-america/.
External links
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