Tecnam Aircraft has announced the launch of the P-Volt Transition Program that gives P2012 Traveller owners priority slots for the P-Volt upgrade.

P-Volt — the next generation green aircraft based on the renowned P2012 Traveller piston platform — is the much-anticipated model announced in late-2020. The design leverages Rolls-Royce's developing portfolio of complete electric propulsion systems for the advanced air mobility markets.

According to Tecnam's Chief R&D and Product Development Officer Fabio Russo, the company is committed to building "real solutions and a stable transition to the green future of aviation".

"The green innovation is paramount and real innovation takes time," said Russo. "We see many businesses overpromising. This is not how we do things at Tecnam. The Transition Program is a real path where we have the P2012 Traveller, already in service, that will make the transition to the P-Volt as smoothly as possible, especially for those operators accustomed to flying with 20+ seat aircraft."

Built on Tecnam's landmark P2012 Traveller platform, P-Volt will host the same avionic suite and require similar training as its parent model. The key points of differentiation between the two models will be in the typical cruise speed and range, directly related to P-Volt's need to adapt to the state-of-art in battery technology.

Matheu Parr – Customer Director, Rolls-Royce Electrical said: "Rolls-Royce is entering new advanced air mobility markets to pioneer sustainable power and as part of that mission we are developing a portfolio of all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsion solutions. Our energy storage systems (ESS) will enable P-Volt to undertake zero emissions flights of 100nm this decade and improve from this position as battery technology develops."

"The battery industry is actively working on developing higher energy storage capability solutions and technology may advance faster, however, Tecnam and Rolls-Royce are focusing on solutions that are real, commercially viable and that can only improve with time," Russo added.

In keeping with this approach to product development, P-Volt's easy-to-swap battery design will enable operators to upgrade to the new battery solutions, increasing the aircraft performance over time.

Tecnam presented the green aircraft Transition at this year's Dubai Expo Air Show. Tecnam's Managing Director Giovanni Pascale Langer said: "We are very proud to have partnered with Rolls-Royce for this landmark project. Our organisations share two key values: the pursuit of meaningful innovation and the pursuit of excellence. We are committed to building an uncompromised and sustainable path to green aviation."

"P2012 Traveller is the prime example of a tangible green transition program," said Pascale Langer. "Those who own P2012 today are already on their way to the green future."

P2012 Traveller owners and those interested in the P-Volt Transition Program can contact Tecnam Aircraft's headquarters for more information.