TECNAM'S new P2000 RG certainly draws the looks when it sits on the line. Few recognize it for a micro-light. It looks more akin to a scaled down Cessna Cutlass RG. For Tecnam the challenge was to build a retractable. The obvious choice would have been to fit retractable gear to the low wing P96 Golf but the high wing aircraft certainly is a conversation starter. The type had its world stage debut at the EAA Airventure at Oshkosh during July this year and has now been in production for four months. Giovanni Nustrini's example is s/n 023. For Tecnam New Zealand the importation of a P2000 RG is something different and ZK-TRG was the diamond in the big box which contained three P96 Golf's for customers. "Response to the aircraft in the four weeks I have had it is nothing less than phenomenal", Giovanni told Aviation News. "It's a machine which fits into a narrow niche in the light sport aircraft market and as such doesn't take anything away from the others in the Tecnam range. The P2000 RG offers for the advanced ultralight community sophistication coupled with simplicity", he said. The outstanding feature has to be the retractable undercarriage. A simple pneumatic operation with the gear mechanism supported by a carbon fibre transverse arm beneath the cockpit floor. The gear leg is simply a hollow tube. No oleo is fitted as the under floor arm provides a firm yet flexible ride.

How safe is the gear?
For the actuation mechanism, every component is available commercially. Businesses dealing with compressed air equipment will be familiar with all the components. The system is charged by a separate from engine electric compressor - a Mercedes unit. System pressure is maintained at 7.0 bar. A cycle of the landing gear sees a pressure drop of 2.0 bar and the compressor recharges the system in 10 - 15 seconds. Two high compressed air bottles are located behind the cabin bulkhead. Normal operation is from one bottle with the other fully charged as a back up and fitted with a non return valve. Operation of a panel switch will charge the primary bottle if there is a compressor failure. Two full cycles are available from the bottle contents. If problems still persist for any reason the gear can be manually lowered by reducing speed to 50 kts and a slight pitch up of 0.5g will allow the gear to free fall and lock down until the fault is rectified. It's a light easily maintained high speed system with a significant amount of plumbing. The owner's manual offers good clear maintenance guidelines and procedures.

Multiple systems
Other systems on the aircraft include electrically operated flap and trim, plus a hydraulic braking system and vacuum system for associated instrumentation. The cabin is slightly wider too at 1.1m; the noticeable difference is between elbow and shoulder height Increased cruise performance comes not only from the retractable gear. Other features such as better aerodynamic performance with the rounded belly and the shorter span wing than its fixed gear high wing siblings assist. There are slotted flaps too on this model which allows for a steeper approach. The concept is suited best to long distance cruising. Tanks hold 95 litres usable and the Rotax 912S of 100 hp fairly sips fuel at a 65 percent throttle opening. The propeller is of relatively coarse pitch which allows for a cruise of 120 kts at 75 per cent and consequently take-off speed builds a little slower than expected but certainly beats the pants off most other 100 hp and higher certified aircraft. Giovanni reports considerable interest is being shown by general aviation pilots and not necessarily those who have lost their medicals. The interest from pilots who want to own their own new aircraft and have low ongoing costs is high. Full costs of operation, less insurance, can be reckoned on at about $35 per hour. This is allowing for replacement of lifed components and eventual engine replacement. The landing gear compressor for instance is lifed to 900 cycles but is available for around $300. Giovanni will extensively demonstrate the aircraft at events around New Zealand through the coming summer. Look out for it at both Sportaviex during February and Warbirds over Wanaka 2002 during Easter 2002.