Stephen Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 Aircraft Update Review : Tecnam P2006T v9.1 by vSkyLabs The Tecnam P2006T is an Italian twin-engine, high-wing light aircraft developed by Tecnam (Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM S.p.A). Its history reflects the evolution of general aviation needs, particularly for an affordable, versatile, and efficient twin-engine aircraft. The Tecnam P2006T project began in the early 2000s as a response to the growing demand for a cost-effective twin-engine aircraft suitable for pilot training, private use, and light commercial operations. Tecnam was already known for producing high-quality light aircraft, aimed to create a twin-engine model that would be economical to operate and maintain while still offering modern avionics and safety features. The P2006T aircraft made its maiden flight on September 13, 2007. Its performance, particularly its ability to operate efficiently with lower horsepower engines, the design impressed many in the general aviation community. Initially the Tecnam P2006T was released by vSkyLabs in May 2017, it has had a few revisions, and an early aircraft conversion to X-Plane 12. But here is the full revision of the aircraft to X-Plane 12, completing the conversion process. Do all general aviation aircraft have to be upright? Here the single-engined Tecnam P2004 Bravo, grew into the twin-engined P2006T, with the design change then Tecnam were also to define the "Light Sports Aircraft" into a more sleeker and modern design that moved the company into another higher category. The highly streamlined shape and modern upswept wing fences, give the aircraft a more different feel and style than say a Cessna, Piper and Beechcraft. Very euro and Italian in look as well, the Tecnam just doesn't conform to the standard GA configuration. Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam is an Italian aeronautics manufacturer that was founded in 1986. The company has two primary activities in one is that it mainly makes aircraft parts for other manufacturers, and in two it makes its own range of light aircraft. It is in the first activity of making parts is in why the Italian company's name doesn't really roll off any aviation's bluffs tongue, like say Piaggio or Augsta, but it is still a manufacturer and it is in this their latest aircraft the P2006T that was certified in 2010 that is the company's push for mainstream sales. The P2006T is currently the lightest twin-engined certified aircraft available, and is a four-seat aircraft with fully retractable landing gear and has liquid-cooled Rotax engines that can run on 92 octane unleaded automotive gasoline as well as 100LL (Avgas). It is unusual in that the Rotax 912S3 horizontally opposed four-cylinder geared piston engines, 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) as each of the cylinder heads are liquid-cooled and there are no cooling vanes on the cylinder barrels (a la the Volkswagen Beetle). Thus both using cooling airflow through the nacelle, and a cooling radiator is required in each cowl. Electric starters are used to start the engines on the ground, but must also be used for an inflight restart, since the highly geared engines cannot be turned by airflow alone past the stopped propeller. Thus, for FAA certification, the company was required to add in a backup battery in addition to the standard battery. There are two versions available here and both are part of the package from vSkyLabs, the Original "Analog", and the "Glass" G1000 version, included also is the P2006T MkII' option which includes the Garmin G1000 Nxi package. Both versions are noted separately in the "Flight Configuration Menu". vSkyLabs uses the modeling to do the detailing. They are a very good modeler, but not of a very high wireframe count, so you get curves not not perfectly round corners, and instead straight lines... that said the proportions are well done, as is the shape. The Tecnam looks like a composite but it is actually an all metal construction, Italian styling gives it that smooth clean look that only Italian designers can. Rivets are indented, and not pronounced to give the feel of the construction, the actual rivets though are only art work. External textures have had a revision for better PBR in the normal mapping, its not a big change, but it is noticeable in the depth of the colour and shine, in other words very XP12. Wing detail is good, but the modeling is slightly wonky in parts, again the work needed to be finer and certainly in the inner sections, but the upright wing fence is nicely done. Glass is very good, with great scratch marks for realism, again the glass edges, certainly around the far rear window which are all a bit average in requiring a finer radius, a common theme here. The engine nacelles are unusual in shape, bulky and bulbous, but well done, except for the air inlets, as the sawn-holed shapes are highly visible in being very clunky. Three position flaps 0º (Flaps up), 15º (Takeoff Position) and 40º (Landing Position) are basic but well done, as you can see the construction and link mechanism that operate the flap, all the flaps are electrically powered in the P2006T. The undercarriage is a clever arrangement. The rear gear sits on stubs on the side of the fuselage, and then retracts into the body of the aircraft, the stub nose wheel just slips into the nose, and nicely done with all the wheel linkages, hydraulic pipes and brake assemblies which are all covered here and the tyres look realistic. In a quirk with the original Tecnam from vSkyLabs, that if you opened the pilot's left side door, then the right side passenger door would open at the same time? That has now long been fixed by "Hotspots" to open either door, but only from the inside (if you know the location, it will still work by opening the door externally, but not authentically by the handle), the rear door is also very tight, as it doesn't open very wide. ... as with all vSkyLabs aircraft, there are no Menus, tabs or static elements, the point of the aircraft is in the dynamics of flight, and they are an ongoing development with consistent updates. Instruments and Avionics The main feature on the vSkyLabs Tecnam are the twin choices of either the "Analog" or "Glass" (Garmin G1000) instruments and avionic set ups.. It is a well laid out modern instrument panel, flying instruments right and backup and engine readouts left. You can hide the basic Yokes, but only both and not individually. The Standard Six instruments that are centred in line of sight of the flying pilot with the Airspeed Indicator, Artificial Horizon and the Attitude Indicator on the top row and the bank/turn coordinator, Heading Dial and Vertical Speed Indicators set out directly below, there is right the two large VOR OBS dials for VOR1 above and VOR2 below. Deep below is a pitch indicator. Centre panel is dominated by both a GNS530 (top) and a GNS 430 (below) that both pop out... ... You get an S-Tec FiftyFive X Autopilot set centre top. Centre panel bottom is a Decker ADF dial and transponder. Lower radio unit is the standard Garmin GMA347 (revised for this update). Co-Pilot's instruments are more disarranged in their layout with only the Artificial Horizon and Airspeed Indicator centre with the Attitude Indicator set far below. The rest of the instruments cover Manifold pressure, Fuel pressure PSI (both engines), Temp, Amps/Volts (engines) and both fuel tanks deep below left.. A full set of two gauges cover the engine outputs with RPM (x100), CHT, Oil Temp and pressure. Lower panels cover all switchgear with Pitot, AP, Main and RH Field left and lighting right, centre is the main Avionic and bus 1&2 switches. Flap indicator is the only function on the left lower panel. Updates in version v9.1 include that all the cockpit textures and normals reproduced here are increased by a factor of two for crisp gauges and labels resolution. Meaning a more clearer and sharper set of instruments and gauges. The Main Annunciation panel has been completely remodeled, re-textured and re-wired to new dedicated warning lighting system. You can test it as well via the "test" button. Gears lights and indications and the GMA347 have also been as noted re-textured, modeled and wired to new dedicated lighting systems. G1000 Avionics The second choice of avionic package is the Garmin G1000. Basically the Laminar Research G1000 inserted here in the P2006T. Yes it is upgraded, as Laminar updated the G1000 avionics in X-Plane version v12.1.0, as it now has the better start up screens and enhancements. The G1000 installation here changes the layout quite considerably, as the main Standard Six instruments now become the backup instruments that are now spaced centre lower panel. Airspeed Indicator, Artificial Horizon and the Attitude Indicator are all that is now required with the Fuel Pressure (both engines) set left centre. Manifold pressure, RPM (x100), CHT, Oil Temp and pressure with Amps/Volts are now down low and all squeezed together on the right hand panel, but it somehow all works fine. The Decker ADF dial is now far left lower panel and a few of the main power switches are now moved on to the centre panel lower panel where they look better, standard lighting switchgear is right lower panel. The G1000 displays do pop-out and can be resized (scaled) or made into pop-out windows (computer windows). Most of the switchgear/avionics is transferred to the G1000 system in radio settings/transponder, autopilot controls, engine readouts and the main primary flight instruments (PFD). I'm a little confused about the "Nxi package". Yes the screens and details have been revised to a better G1000 3d modeling and PBR textures come with a higher resolution and brightness as per the Nxi. But you don't get the Nxi coloured runways or optional quick popup screens that allow you to insert both departure and arrival airports (changes) as part of the FPL (Flightplan). New however are the four new MFD screen options... Traffic Map, Stormscope, Weather Data and TAWS B. The Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) is an on-board system used in aircraft to prevent unintentional impacts with the ground, often referred to as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents. The TAWS B system is slightly less comprehensive than TAWS A and is typically used in smaller aircraft like the Tecnam. Earlier releases had a significant difference between the Analog and G1000 panel facias, before a graded khaki for the analog, and brighter steel for the G1000. Here they seems closer together in the graded khaki style. The steel version looked average anyway, so it is the better choice. The lower mini-pedestal is nicely done with twin levers for Throttle, Carburettor Heat and Propeller (feather), It is misleading in thinking that the central two yellow are the PROP levers, and the two right outer levers are the MIXTURE, but there are no mixture levers in here, so you can't shut down the engines by cutting the fuel supply? rudder pedals have an odd yellow wear on them, but look authentic. Side Circuit Breaker (Fuse) panels are all new, retextured and look very nice. But all are still inactive? You can select (Hotspot) a AviTab, down left door pocket. The Tablet sits on the left hand Yoke, making it very handy and easy to use (see). It has all the usual AviTab functions including Navigraph if you have a subscription (Plugin Required). The cabin is slightly different. First again retextured and it comes with better PBR. The colours basically stay the same, but the lovely grey version seats with the rear pockets have gone, all seats in both versions are now all white, with blue "Tecnam" logos, cabin cream colour is still the same, but the striking orange seatbelts now have replaced the older darker colours. Under seat frame detail is excellent, and you get a hard case container in the luggage bay rear. Roof mounted Fuel Selectors, Fuel Pump and the Ignition/Starter switches which are required not only to start the aircraft but to shutdown the engines as well, and the props can be strangely odd in that they don't wind down but simply electric stop mid-rotation, The fuel tank switches are up here as well. _________________ Flying the Tecnam P2006T Starting either engine is simple, simple... Power on, Fuel tank selected, External lights on, set Avionics.... then just select the "Ignition" switches and press the red "Starter" button, and each engine will instantly start, with no hesitation or slow winding, your quickly running at idle speed. To switch off the engines, you just flick off the same switches, it feels very modern, even electric. Taxiing is nice, easy to keep the centreline... if there is too much power (forward movement), you can adjust the propeller pitch angle via the two PROPELLER levers (the blue levers), and find your best "bite" for the best taxi speed you want, it works well here... Taxi direction is best via the rudder pedals, as the yaw joystick is a bit too sharp, and only then only small fractional movements are required. Power up and the two Rotaxs 912S3 horizontally opposed four-cylinder geared piston engines of 75 kW (100 hp) each, pulls you off the line quickly... there is no nasty asymmetric thrust as the Tecnam P2006T has Counter-Rotating Propellers, in one propeller rotates clockwise, and the other rotates counterclockwise. This allows you to stay arrow straight right down the centreline, you would be surprised how easy it tracks here with no counter forces. Although the Tecnam is not classified as a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, at 65 knts your nose is ready to lift (Flaps T.O)... ... this is not, or feels like a geriatric 50's based GA, but a thoroughly modern machine, it handles like one, clean, fast going through the air. Gear animation is excellent, smooth and well done here... climb out is 1,260 feet per minute (fpm), but 1,000 fpm is the most effective climb. Both the airfoils and performance has had an X-Plane 12 update. And you feel the difference once in the air, the Tecnam reacts and flies very well. Sounds here are very good and are already FMOD directional dynamic. It is amazing how quickly new features mature and become part of the background in a very short time. It already has the FMOD 2.0 sound package since v9.0, so that sound focused area is already updated. Dumb me... I couldn't activate the Autopilot (Flightplan)... twice? Once in the air I set the Tecnam on a heading south to connect into the FPL, both the G530 (analog) and G1000 (glass) have PROC (Procedures) if you need to use them, but this is a simple point to point flightplan. You have to switch on the AP, but the switches are in different places on each version... the AP switch on the analog is down on the lower left panel, and partly hidden by the Yoke. On the G1000 it is upper left of the PFD, yes I know, right in front of me, but I couldn't find it? I was twiddling too much with either CDI (selector) to work out where the AP switch was... so you need to study the layout of the chosen version of the set up before flight, so you get it right first time. Lighting The lighting is quite different between P2006T versions. On the analog it is very nice. There is the usual backlit instruments (adjustable) and switchgear, but also the added red panel lighting (adjustable). Illumination is nice on the roof switches and the cabin light works (but dullish), reflects on the front seats. The G1000 is quite similar. The same standard (adjustable) panel lighting, and the nice red panel lighting (also adjustable)... but those huge 10.4 inch displays throw off a lot of brightness, thankfully you can tone the brightness down (but only with both screens together). Honestly the red glow looks better than in these images, as being more uniform. Same overhead setup, but you wish for a better (on both) cabin light, as the rear cabin is very dark? External lighting is pretty basic. Both a Landing and Taxi light are in the left wing, Navigation lights and some very nice Strobes. The Côte d'Azur looks amazing in the late afternoon, you can see the higher quality of X-Plane 12 quite clearly on the internal reflections of the Tecnam, X-Plane 12 can deliver great experiences when required. It is debatable on which version to fly... I have always favored the analog, but I am in liking the G1000 version here a lot. The updated G1000 experience has created a better, more realistic immersion. But for a small-twin the performance of the P2006T is impressive. Maximum speed is 287 km/h; 178 mph (155 kn) with a cruise speed of 250 km/h; 155 mph (135 kn) with a range of 1,374 km (854 mi; 742 nmi). However the already stated rate of climb is 1,260 ft/min or 250 ft/min on single engine and the service ceiling is 4,300 m (14,000 ft). So the Tecnam will go fast, but climbs slowly and to only 14,000ft. Most twins in this category can climb at 1600 - 1900 ft per min to 25,000ft. It is only 160 kilometers (or about 100 miles) between Marseille and Nice, but still a nice scenic route, keeping to 4,000ft gives you a great vista of the coastline. Now I go off the flightplan, as I have as noted set any arrival PROC (Procedures), but I still use the LOC (APP) to line up the Tecnam to Nice Rwy 04R (110.70 NA). I know from experience that the 04R ILS is not set correctly, it sorts of aims you between both 04L and 04R, but lined up and at 2,000ft, I can clearly see the approach. The speed area between the full flap and 60knts it is very tight, below and your in a stall, and it is only 15knts higher as your approach speed. So you have very little room to adjust the speed to keep the aircraft airborne and getting too much lift, or then either stalling into the runway. But there feels more margin than before in this speed zone with the v9.1 update, not much though, but still enough to give you more confidence. Barely a few k's out from the 04R threshold I drop the gear, nice.... Now lined up on 04R, I always like the side (window) view when landing at Nice (LFMN), as it never fails to deliver a great scenic view 75 knts over the threshold, and throttle adjustment feels great, (I reduced the PROP a little), then just slid down slowly to the runway surface when reducing the speed below 73 knts, again there are no forces working against you with asymmetric thrust, as the power balance is perfect for keeping the aircraft directly on the centre line.... touch is around 70 knts! Yes I would have like a bit more flare there (nose up), but there is a big definite improvement in the handing and power control than what I remembered on the earlier vSkyLab Tecnams, more range for more control... it's very nice aerodynamically. _________________ Liveries The liveries work and are the same on both versions, there is only six, a blank, Classic Stripes, I-SMP (Military), Blue-Red, Silver Grey and Yellow. There is also a vSkyLabs (free) livery pack of another nine liveries that you can down load from the X-Plane.Org... They include; AERONAUTICA MILITARE, CS-EAQ, EC-LHB, EC-LUM Guardia Civil, EC-OEY OneAir (recently published), F-HCLC Air Marine, LV-GVM, N260JL Clover Park and OE-FKN Geo Survey. _________________ Summary Updated to v9.1 for X-Plane 12, the vSkyLabs Tecnam P2006T is in some ways two aircraft in one. One being the Analog instrument version, the other the Glass Garmin G1000 with twin display avionics. and overall it is an extremely nice update to this very modern four-seater General Aviation aircraft, that feels almost electric in many ways. Modelling is great without being that pure extreme tick all the boxes look, as curves are a bit straight, rather than curved, but you have to look close or be finicky to be aware of it. Internally the textures have all been upgraded in quality and PBR to the latest standards, and the cockpit is far better with new orange seatbelts that really stand out, both doors now work as well. The G1000 (X-Plane 12.1.0) update created a far better immersion of the G1000 avionics system, including four extra modes, and that version is installed here. XP12 dynamics, performance and new airfoils and all have been revised, and the aircraft totally feels far better for the adjustments in more range in the controls. Lighting has also been revised on both versions, but the cabin overhead light is still too dull or simply missing a rear cabin light. Sounds to FMOD 2 were updated earlier. Annunciation panel has also been completely revised and system now more realistically intergrated. There are no menus or special features, but Vskylab's doesn't always do those sort of addon's anyway, and what you do get is an interesting aircraft in two types with the original analog aircraft and the G1000 glass cockpit version that is focused on the flying handling characteristics. VR (Virtual Reality) is a big plus here if you have the gear, as vSkyLabs are well diversed in this area. It's a harder choice now? do you stick with the older Analog flying, or go to the far better and improved G1000 version, the old hands will obviously stay with the dials, but the G1000 is now certainly a more attractive proposition. I am a big supporter of the vSkyLab philosophy and the on going value and development that they deliver. Any aircraft from vSkyLab is an investment with consistent (free) updates, and this is a great interesting aircraft if not the usual run of the mill American design of the standard 4 seater light-twin General Aviation aircraft. Recommended! _________________ Yes! - the Tecnam P2006T v9.1 by vSkyLabs is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Tecnam P2006T Price is US$32.95 (Currently on sale for only US26.36!) You Save:$6.59(20%) Requirements X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 Windows, Mac or Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download Size: 563 MB Current version: 9.1 (XP12 - August 1st 2024) AviTab Plugin is required for this aircraft Note: In order to use and enjoy VR environment in X-Plane, user hardware and system specs should meet the required specifications for OS, CPU, GPU, MB and RAM which are specified both in the given VR hardware websites and at X-Plane.com. Aircraft download is 576.91Mb, and unpacked then installed in your X-Plane "Aircraft" folder 718Mb Documents HOW TO INSTALL - How to INSTALL your VSKYLABS aircraft.pdf - How to UPDATE your VSKYLABS aircraft.pdf INSTRUCTIONS-MANUAL-POH - S-TEC Autopilot Manual.pdf - VSKYLABS Tecnam P2006T POH.pdf - VSL Tecnam P2006T Essentials.pdf - X-Plane G430 Manual.pdf - X-Plane G530 Manual.pdf - X-Plane G1000 Manual.pdf Designed by VSKYLABS Support forum for the P2006T _____________________ Review System Specifications: Windows - 12th Gen IS1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU - 64bit -32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 - Samsung 970 EVO+ 2TB SSD Software: - Windows 11 Pro - X-Plane 12.1.1 Plugins: Traffic Global - JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 Scenery or Aircraft - LFML- Airport Marseille XP by At (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$24.99 - LFMN - Nice Cote d'Azur v2 by JustSim (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$18.50 ___________________________ Aircraft Review by Stephen Dutton 14th August 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved Kiwiflyer and flightwusel 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medellinexpat Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 Bought this on the basis of the review (and the current sale price) and am impressed. Nice to fly and a good ‘everyday’ choice. The only missing element for me would be a menu for options and loading - I have got so used to those - but other than that a recommended buy and a comment that the review captures the aircraft well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcmarple Posted August 16 Report Share Posted August 16 Grrrr - you made me buy another one! Getting ready for a survey flight out of Hawarden... Hope all's well down under 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 17 Author Report Share Posted August 17 9 hours ago, rcmarple said: Grrrr - you made me buy another one! Getting ready for a survey flight out of Hawarden... Hope all's well down under 🙂 I'm the Devil in Disguise 😇 Yes all good thanks Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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