P2008 changes/improvements since introduction

[MarkGregor]

A few have asked about production changes since the 2008 was introduced. I will try to make a list and hope I don't forget too many. Will add later if I think of more.

First it is important to know when HOVA was the distributor most all the planes came to the USA without avionics installed. Since Tecnam themselves took over in the USA the avionics have been installed at the Factory in Capua. I was not involved with Tecnam before HOVA when the Birmingham's were the distributor and not sure if avionics were installed by them or at the factory. Maybe Chris Connor will check in and be able to answer this.
The very first prototype P2008 in this country (208TA) did not have a hyd. strut nose landing gear but every 2008 since has. 208TA was sent back to Italy for a rebuild after the pilot landed just short of the runway catching the pavement edge basically wiping the landing gear off. The aircraft returned from Italy as a conforming aircraft and was then sold to a customer. 

1. 2012 New upper door latches introduced for more secure latching.

2. 2012 Hyd. gas cylinders added to cabin doors to hold them open when unlatched.

3. 2013 Fuselage side vent nacelles discontinued mainly because they were noisy and were rarely used.

4. 2013 Nose wheel tire size changed from 4x6 to 5x5 to match MLG tire size and allow better selection of available tires

5. 2013 Right and left windshield post recieved a trim cover to add cabin finish.

6. 2013 912iS engine option is added

7. 2014 NLG (nose landing gear) height changed raising the nose. Ramp stature now slightly different with nose higher/tail lower

8. 2014 New style lighter weight main landing gear (MLG) was introduced and now standard

9. 2014 914 Turbo engine option is added

9.5 2014 Seat pan lowered to allow more head room and better side window visibility.

10. 2014 Seat adjuster shape changed allowing easier fore and aft adjustment

11. 2014 Cabin headliner slightly changed to allow avionic lighting for EASA certified models. No functional change for the LSA model.

11.5 2014 Lower engine cowl changed to house landing light.  Landing light moved from wing to below propeller.

12. 2015 LED lighting is introduced for increase lighting and reduced electric load.  Aux. alternator no longer needed reducing weight.

12.5 2015 Lower engine cowl changed to allow more streamlined exhaust outlet.

13. 2015 New style automobile type "heater core" coolant cabin heater becomes standard, increasing cabin heat performance.

13.5 2015 Lower engine cowl heater inlet port removed due to new style heater.

14. 2015 Next generation Marc Ingegno brake design introduced.

15. 2015 New style NLG wheel attachment introduced along with new nose wheel fairing.

15. 2016 Wheels and brakes changed to Matco.

16. 2016 New avionics panel design with left oriented MFD

17. 2016 New style interior door panel with revised door opener.

Thats all I think of for now!

[Flocker]

Aug 30, 2016 4:33:30 GMT MarkGregor said:

7. 2014 NLG (nose landing gear) height changed raising the nose. Ramp stature now slightly different with nose higher/tail lower

That explains it.  When I was in Isle of Palms a few weeks ago parked next to another P2008, I noticed a pretty significant difference in the distance between the tail and the ground between my plane and his.

[Flocker]

Mark, does Tecnam solicit customer feedback on these? If I have a suggestion for a future improvement, where would I send it?

[Cluemeister]

[Cluemeister]

Seriously though, that's a great list of improvements in a short time. I like that the plane is constantly being updated for the better!

[MarkGregor]

Email it to me in a professional manner and I will forward it to the appropriate person.

Mark

[mackattack]

you mean like this? "tell those *&^*&^**^%$$ Italians to fix the god-&*(*Y(* f-ing *((*(" thing. That passes for professional in the legal world ... *just kidding*

I love the list and it really shows how they are continually evaluating and improving their aircraft. Great engineers can't help themselves and the customers benefit. Would be great if you could do the same for the Astore ...

Cheers!

[cole505]

Hi Mark,

Nice work! Nice to know they are steadily improving the P-2008 I would like to find out about the door stops my 2012 does not have them, so when it's windy I am always worrying about the door flying forward damaging the door or fuse .....


Ray👍🏻🇺🇸😎✈️🐾

[mudlupilot]

Aug 30, 2016 4:33:30 GMT MarkGregor said:

A few have asked about production changes since the 2008 was introduced. I will try to make a list and hope I don't forget too many. Will add later if I think of more.

First it is important to know when HOVA was the distributor most all the planes came to the USA without avionics installed. Since Tecnam themselves took over in the USA the avionics have been installed at the Factory in Capua. I was not involved with Tecnam before HOVA when the Birmingham's were the distributor and not sure if avionics were installed by them or at the factory. Maybe Chris Connor will check in and be able to answer this.
The very first prototype P2008 in this country (208TA) did not have a hyd. strut nose landing gear but every 2008 since has. 208TA was sent back to Italy for a rebuild after the pilot landed just short of the runway catching the pavement edge basically wiping the landing gear off. The aircraft returned from Italy as a conforming aircraft and was then sold to a customer. 

1. 2012 New upper door latches introduced for more secure latching.

2. 2012 Hyd. gas cylinders added to cabin doors to hold them open when unlatched.

3. 2013 Fuselage side vent nacelles discontinued mainly because they were noisy and were rarely used.

4. 2013 Nose wheel tire size changed from 4x6 to 5x5 to match MLG tire size and allow better selection of available tires

5. 2013 Right and left windshield post recieved a trim cover to add cabin finish.

6. 2013 912iS engine option is added

7. 2014 NLG (nose landing gear) height changed raising the nose. Ramp stature now slightly different with nose higher/tail lower

8. 2014 New style lighter weight main landing gear (MLG) was introduced and now standard

9. 2014 914 Turbo engine option is added

9.5 2014 Seat pan lowered to allow more head room and better side window visibility.

10. 2014 Seat adjuster shape changed allowing easier fore and aft adjustment

11. 2014 Cabin headliner slightly changed to allow avionic lighting for EASA certified models. No functional change for the LSA model.

11.5 2014 Lower engine cowl changed to house landing light.  Landing light moved from wing to below propeller.

12. 2015 LED lighting is introduced for increase lighting and reduced electric load.  Aux. alternator no longer needed reducing weight.

12.5 2015 Lower engine cowl changed to allow more streamlined exhaust outlet.

13. 2015 New style automobile type "heater core" coolant cabin heater becomes standard, increasing cabin heat performance.

13.5 2015 Lower engine cowl heater inlet port removed due to new style heater.

14. 2015 Next generation Marc Ingegno brake design introduced.

15. 2015 New style NLG wheel attachment introduced along with new nose wheel fairing.

15. 2016 Wheels and brakes changed to Matco.

16. 2016 New avionics panel design with left oriented MFD

17. 2016 New style interior door panel with revised door opener.

Thats all I think of for now!

[mudlupilot]

What improvements were added in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

[MarkGregor]

18. 2017 The option of Beringer Wheels and brakes became available. The factory does not install the better quality Beringer master cylinders and Michelin tires with this option so getting the Beringer kit field installed may still be a better option.

20. 2018 Another exterior paint option with white on the bottom and main color on top was added. You can see this by looking at our listings on controller.com.

That's all the changes up till now. Don't see anything more changing for a while.

Mark G.

[anzac]

Perhaps this should be on a Rotax Forum, but I am going to do it anyway. I have 2013 P2008 and the speed doesn't match the brochures. I have an Airmaster constant speed prop. The prop rpm is set for 5,000, at 26 inches in the manifold I rarely see better than 105 knots. Should I get the RPM lifted to 5200rpm.

[Ed Midgley]

You didn’t say which engine you have. I assume it’s a 912. With a 914 and an Airmaster prop I cruise at 5450rpm. At 5000rpm I would loose close to 20kts.
Ed

[ChiMike]

I have a 914 as well. I also cruise at 5450-5480 indicated RPMs in prop setting 5–max cruise setting. My KTAS at those settings varies from 124-128.