Tecnam P2008

Tecnam was founded in 1948 in Italy as a manufacturer of aluminum aircraft. The company has produced light airplanes continuously since then with a particular focus on certified two- and four-seat designs that meet European VLA, LSA, and Part 23 requirements. The P2008 launched in 2009 as a Special Light Sport Aircraft built specifically for the post-2004 US LSA market.

The P2008 is notable for being one of the few all-metal LSAs in regular production. Most LSAs use composite construction to minimize weight within the 1,320-pound MTOW limit. Tecnam engineered the P2008 to meet the weight limit with conventional aluminum construction, which gives the airplane a maintenance profile more similar to legacy certified airplanes than composite LSAs.

Tecnam continues active production of the P2008 in 2026 from its Capua, Italy facility, with strong sales to flight schools worldwide. The North American used market is concentrated around flight school retirements and recreational owner trades, with most used inventory being airplanes from the 2010 to 2020 production years.

The P2008 cruises at 105 to 115 KTAS at 65% power, burning 4 to 4.5 gph. Maximum cruise is around 120 KTAS at 75% power and 4.8 gph. The Rotax 912 ULS runs on 91-plus octane auto fuel or 100LL, which keeps fuel costs manageable. Climb at sea level is 800 to 1,000 fpm at gross weight.

Useful load is competitive within LSA limits. A typical P2008 has 490 to 530 pounds of useful load. Full fuel is 24 to 30 gallons (144 to 180 pounds) depending on tank configuration, leaving 310 to 380 pounds for two people. The high-wing layout provides easy entry and good downward visibility, which makes the airplane popular for training and sightseeing.

Handling is predictable and confidence-inspiring for a low-time pilot. The aluminum airframe is stiff and the controls are direct. The high wing provides shade in the cabin and good visibility downward. Stall is gentle. Most flight schools find that students transition cleanly between the P2008 and the Cessna 172 trainers they typically move up to.

The Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, carbureted) is the standard P2008 engine. Rotax's published TBO is 2,000 hours with a 15-year calendar limit. The 912 ULS is one of the most-produced LSA engines globally and the parts and service ecosystem is mature.

Field overhaul of a Rotax 912 ULS runs $12,000 to $16,000 in 2026 at a Rotax-authorized service center. The 912 ULS is cheaper to overhaul than equivalent Lycoming O-235 installations. Rotax service is well-developed in North America, though specific shops are concentrated in particular regions.

Propeller is a ground-adjustable composite from MT or Sensenich. There's no constant-speed prop option on the P2008. Ground-adjustable composite props have on-condition overhaul intervals rather than calendar limits. Overhaul on condition runs $500 to $1,500 in 2026.

The P2008 is among the cheapest LSAs to operate per hour, with the all-metal construction reducing some of the airframe maintenance concerns that composite designs carry.

Fuel runs $22 to $32 per hour at $5.50 to $7 per gallon and 4 to 4.5 gph. Engine reserve is $6 to $8 per hour. Prop reserve is under $1 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve is $9 to $16 per hour, the low end of the LSA range because aluminum maintenance is well-understood and the P2008's construction is conservative. All-in at 100 hours a year runs $50 to $75 per hour with LSRM-M owner maintenance, or $70 to $100 with full A&P maintenance. Annual fixed costs run $2,800 to $5,500.

The Light Sport Repairman Maintenance certificate is the key economic lever. The 120-hour training course authorizes the holder to perform most maintenance and annual condition inspections on LSAs they own. The P2008's straightforward aluminum construction makes LSRM-M maintenance more accessible than some composite alternatives.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026 runs $65,000 to $95,000 for a clean used P2008 with modern panel, $95,000 to $135,000 for a low-time recent example with current avionics. Factory new from Tecnam lists $190,000 to $235,000 depending on equipment. The P2008 typically trades at modest premium over a comparable Flight Design CT in the used market because the all-metal construction has held value well.