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Tecnam P2012 Traveller News and Discussion Thread

Had a friend visit us this weekend flying Cape Air. He flew in on a C402, but out on a P2012. We were disappointed to learn the P2012 baggage compartments would not accommodate his snowboard, which fit in the nose of the C402 no problem. They will now have to put it on a later flight out of SLK when the C402 returns and he'll have to go back to the airport at his destination to pick it up. No room for skis or snowboards seems like a bad look for an airplane slated to be the future of an airline serving New England.

bval wrote:

No room for skis or snowboards seems like a bad look for an airplane slated to be the future of an airline serving New England.

Was discussing in the STL thread how I miss the P2012's now that Cape Air doesn't fly out of UIN, but in hindsight, really am wondering if Cape Air's bet on the P2012 will in hindsight be a fatal error.

Cape Air pilots I would speak to would routinely talk about how the C402 was just far more reliable.

But I do love the P2012 so much - wonder what tweaks Tecnam can make here?

JFernandez wrote:

bval wrote:

No room for skis or snowboards seems like a bad look for an airplane slated to be the future of an airline serving New England.

Was discussing in the STL thread how I miss the P2012's now that Cape Air doesn't fly out of UIN, but in hindsight, really am wondering if Cape Air's bet on the P2012 will in hindsight be a fatal error.

Cape Air pilots I would speak to would routinely talk about how the C402 was just far more reliable.

But I do love the P2012 so much - wonder what tweaks Tecnam can make here?

It takes time to get through teething issues on a new aircraft. Mechanics will get more comfortable with it, which in turn will help reduce fixes and checkups. Delta had a heck of a time getting the A220's up for awhile. Even Horizon struggled something terrible with the Dornier 328, which they got rid of after a year or two. I'm sure Cape is already showing more reliability with the Tecnam.

F9Animal wrote:

JFernandez wrote:

bval wrote:

No room for skis or snowboards seems like a bad look for an airplane slated to be the future of an airline serving New England.

Was discussing in the STL thread how I miss the P2012's now that Cape Air doesn't fly out of UIN, but in hindsight, really am wondering if Cape Air's bet on the P2012 will in hindsight be a fatal error.

Cape Air pilots I would speak to would routinely talk about how the C402 was just far more reliable.

But I do love the P2012 so much - wonder what tweaks Tecnam can make here?

It takes time to get through teething issues on a new aircraft. Mechanics will get more comfortable with it, which in turn will help reduce fixes and checkups. Delta had a heck of a time getting the A220's up for awhile. Even Horizon struggled something terrible with the Dornier 328, which they got rid of after a year or two. I'm sure Cape is already showing more reliability with the Tecnam.

Unsure if it's specific to Tecnam or Pilot Shortage but Cape Air has been worse if not unreliable...

Look at MWA today...4 Cancelled flights out of MWA to STL/BNA. I don't see any weather issues.

My last 3 trips on Cape Air out of MWA were a mix of Pilot Shortage and Maintenance with Tecnam.

It has been frustrating flying them out of STL, I just stopped.

Alex

I haven't been able to find any reports of recent P2012 deliveries for Cape Air. Their fleet is at 30, where it has been for a bit. Have they paused deliveries until they can get more pilots? Are the P2012 Travellers still a tech / maint headache for Cape Air?

bval wrote:

Had a friend visit us this weekend flying Cape Air. He flew in on a C402, but out on a P2012. We were disappointed to learn the P2012 baggage compartments would not accommodate his snowboard, which fit in the nose of the C402 no problem. They will now have to put it on a later flight out of SLK when the C402 returns and he'll have to go back to the airport at his destination to pick it up. No room for skis or snowboards seems like a bad look for an airplane slated to be the future of an airline serving New England.

I worked the ramp for Cape Air for 3 years back in the 2000's. The snowboard fit "this time" on the 402, but its LARGELY dependent on the mix of baggage up front (and the ramper loading things). Don't be fooled

Just because it fit last time doesn't mean it will fit every time. The 402 has its limitations, we shall say...

airportugal310 wrote:

I worked the ramp for Cape Air for 3 years back in the 2000's. The snowboard fit "this time" on the 402, but its LARGELY dependent on the mix of baggage up front (and the ramper loading things). Don't be fooled

Just because it fit last time doesn't mean it will fit every time. The 402 has its limitations, we shall say...

I fly the 402s at least a couple times a month, and I can confirm it's dependent on the ramper. The B6 folks at JFK being the worst at it. Cape Air rampers at Logan and at outstations all seem to know the tricks of loading a 402 to the gills. I saw them manage a full load up front, a full flight, and a dog in a cage in the aft cargo area BOS to SLK recently. I wasn't happy for the dog.

Sounds like the classic "teething" issues that comes with a new aircraft type. Inconvenient? Absolutely. Fatal decision? Anything but. This is new territory for both companies. From a passenger standoint, the Tecnam is clearly better. (This coming from a huge Cessna fan) Yea, the engine issues have been a probelm and it sounds like it's being dealt with. Every new aircraft has these "speed bumps" to get over. Boeing's dealt with it, Airbus' dealt with it. Tecnam is no different. They'll get it figured out. It's just taking longer than anyone wanted.

bval wrote:

airportugal310 wrote:

I worked the ramp for Cape Air for 3 years back in the 2000's. The snowboard fit "this time" on the 402, but its LARGELY dependent on the mix of baggage up front (and the ramper loading things). Don't be fooled

Just because it fit last time doesn't mean it will fit every time. The 402 has its limitations, we shall say...

I fly the 402s at least a couple times a month, and I can confirm it's dependent on the ramper. The B6 folks at JFK being the worst at it. Cape Air rampers at Logan and at outstations all seem to know the tricks of loading a 402 to the gills. I saw them manage a full load up front, a full flight, and a dog in a cage in the aft cargo area BOS to SLK recently. I wasn't happy for the dog.

Lol ya…getting a dog in the back was never pleasant for either creature involved