Midwest LSA Expo Mt. Vernon Airport, September September 5, 6, 7, 2019.

Tecnam's offers the Sea-Sky Hydroplane option of straight or four-wheel composite amphibious floats for the Echo Classic or Eaglet models. For the Echo, also known as the P92 (referencing 1992), this represents the sixth generation of that model. The all in-house-designed Sea-Sky Hydroplanes will not be at Sebring but should be present for Sun 'n Fun, according to importer Tecnam North America.

As late-night TV ads shout, "But there's more...!" Tecnam also a taildragger version of the venerable Echo, done in what Phil Solomon calls a "retro style," with a wood panel and other touches. With wood grain panel, chrome joystick and rudder pedals, big tires and wheels plus a tow hook, Taildragger looks like great fun.

Along with thicker gear legs, larger tires and wheels, chrome joystick and chrome rudder pedals plus the sexy slant of a taildragger — Tecnam's first — the new Echo Taildragger does appear a throwback to an earlier, enjoyable age of aviation. It also shows the versatility of Tecnam's lightest model and one of its longest lasting. Phil called the Taildragger "about half way between the Echo and the Eaglet."

But with a bit of glass in the wood-accent panel, I'll call Taildragger a "retro hybrid." It may also come with the Lycoming engine (photos) as we reported earlier. All new models — the two floatplanes and the Taildragger — are flying now. *** Tecnam is already the leader in the number of new models that have earned SLSA status: five. Now they'll be adding two or three more with the Echo and Eaglet Sea-Sky Hydroplanes, the Taildragger, plus the five you already know: Sierra, Bravo, P2008, Eaglet (land) and Echo (land).  


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