Tecnam Expands South American Presence as P2012 Traveller Achieves Type Validation in Ecuador

Tecnam Aircraft has announced that the República del Ecuador Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) has officially validated the Type Certificate of the entire P2012 aircraft Series. This comprehensive approval covers the P2012 Traveller (powered by Lycoming TEO-540 or Continental GTSIO-520-S engines), the P2012 STOL (powered by Continental GTSIO-520-S engines) and the P2012 Sentinel SMP (powered by Lycoming TEO-540 or Continental GTSIO-520-S engines), allowing the immediate entry in service of all variants in the country under local registration.

This regulatory milestone follows the historic arrival of the first P2012 Traveller in Ecuador in July 2025, delivered to Transair Leasing, Tecnam’s official dealer for Ecuador, Colombia, Perù and Panama.

While that initial delivery marked the P2012’s entry into the region, this full-line validation, including the multi-mission capabilities for Passengers, Cargo, Medevac / Air Ambulance, Combi, Skydiving, and Special Mission Platform, now allows Airlines, Private Owners, Operators, and Government entities,  to choose the exact configuration that fits their mission, whether it be high-altitude connectivity or operations from extremely short, unprepared airstrips.

The validation of both engines (Lycoming and Continental) and wings (Traveller and STOL) configurations is strategically vital for Ecuador’s diverse geography, offering flexible performance choise while always granting twin engine safety, state of the art avionics, unmatched comfort, and Short Take-Off and Landing capabilities, perfect for accessing Ecuador’s most remote airstrips and challenging runways from the Amazon and Andean region to the Ecuador coastal and Galápagos inter islands connection.

“We are delighted to receive this wide-ranging validation from the DGAC,” said Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 – Special Mission Platforms Sales & Business Development Manager “Ecuador presents a unique and varied operating environment where Tecnam’s offer of variants and multi mission capabilities covers it all. By validating the entire P2012 family—both the Lycoming and Continental versions—the Ecuadorian authorities have empowered local operators, airlines and owners, to select the perfect tool for their mission, ensuring safe, modern, and profitable connectivity.”

Diego Ribadeneira, Director of Transair Leasing, Tecnam’s exclusive dealer for Ecuador, commented on the significance of this approval: “This validation is the key we have been waiting for to fully unlock the potential of the Ecuadorian market. Since receiving our first P2012 demonstrator in July, we have seen immense interest from local operators and private owners. Now, with the ability to offer the full range—from the Traveller to the Sentinel SMP, up to the rugged STOL version—we can provide a tailored solution for every mission profile in the country. Whether connecting the high Andes, flying an inter-island connection, or landing on short jungle strips, the P2012 line is now ready to serve Ecuador.”

The P2012 Series offers a modern, spacious, and cost-effective replacement for aging heritage twins.

Capacity: 11 seats (2 crew + 9 passengers), easily convertible for Cargo or Medevac.

Safety: Certified to the latest CS-23/FAR-23 standards, featuring a state-of-the-art Garmin glass cockpit.

Versatility: Fixed landing gear and robust design for operations on semi-prepared strips.

Multi mission: Fully certified for interchangeable multi mission configuration for Passengers, Cargo, Air Ambulance / Medevac, Combi, Skydiving and Special Mission Platform.

With this validation, Tecnam and Transair Leasing are poised to accelerate fleet modernization efforts across Ecuador and the broader Andean region.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.