P92-J / P92-JS

The Tecnam P92-J is the type-certified sister of the ultralight Echo and the aircraft with which Tecnam entered the certified world in 1995: the P92-J was type-certified on 10 November 1995 and is covered today by EASA type certificate data sheet EASA.A.412 in the CS-VLA Normal category. No reliable public production figure exists for the P92-J alone; English Wikipedia quotes more than 2,500 aircraft built across the whole P92 family by 2018. In any case, anyone buying a P92J is not buying an ultralight but a type-certified aircraft with an ARC, a maintenance programme and the obligations of the Part-ML world.

The P92-J is a single-strut high-wing aircraft in aluminium and steel construction with fixed nosewheel gear and two side-by-side seats. It has a 9.6 m span, 13.2 m² wing area, 6.3 m length and the 80 hp Rotax 912 A2 engine. Maximum takeoff mass is 535 kg, or 550 kg with Service Bulletin P92J-07 applied; VNE is 121 KIAS, or 123 KIAS with the SB. The tank holds 70 l with 67.4 l usable, cleared for premium fuel of at least RON 95 and AVGAS 100LL.

The P92-JS is the more powerful variant with the 100 hp Rotax 912 S2, a shortened wing (8.7 m span, 12.0 m² area), a new cowling and a Hoffmann HO17GHM 174 propeller; it was certified to CS-VLA in December 2001. Maximum takeoff mass is 550 kg, or 600 kg with modification MOD92/41 / SB011-CS. VNE is 134 KIAS, rising to 141 KIAS with MOD92/41, and VNO is 106 or 110 KIAS. The tank holds 70 l, or 90 l per Note 5 of the TCDS.

Strengths: certification to CS-VLA rather than an ultralight standard, which makes operation across Europe straightforward, allows training under EASA rules and provides a weight envelope with more payload than a 472.5 kg ultralight. The airframe is closely related to the Echo, so parts and experience are available. Weaknesses: running costs are higher than for an ultralight – ARC, licensed maintenance staff and a maintenance programme all cost money. Empty weight and performance figures such as cruise speed, climb rate and range are not in the TCDS, and the values circulating online have no reliable primary source. Only the individual aircraft's flight manual and weighing report are authoritative.

The P92-J and P92-JS suit PPL holders looking for an inexpensive certified two-seat alternative to a Cessna 152 or Piper, as well as clubs and flight schools. Be careful with listings: the designation „P92J“ is also used for ultralight versions, so check the individual aircraft's data sheet or type certificate and ARC to establish what is actually on offer.