P2002 Sierra

The Tecnam P2002 Sierra is the low-wing member of the Tecnam range, introduced in 2002 as a sporty complement to the high-wing P92. Unlike the strut-braced Echo, the Sierra is a cantilever all-metal low wing in aluminium and steel with fixed nosewheel gear and a cockpit that feels more like a tourer than an ultralight. Over the years the series produced the P2002 LSA, today's Sierra MkII with revised cabin and avionics, the type-certified JF/JR and the EA and RG kits, while the Astore is a lighter derivative of the JF.

The figures for the current Sierra MkII: 8.6 m span, 11.5 m² wing area, 6.63 m length, 600 kg maximum takeoff mass with 377 kg empty weight and 223 kg useful load, of which 20 kg is baggage. Power comes from the Rotax 912 ULS2 or the fuel-injected Rotax 912 iS Sport, driving an MT constant-speed propeller with feathering. The tank holds 100 l for a consumption of around 17 l/h, with mogas and avgas approved. Important for Germany: Tecnam offers the Sierra MkII with the 100 hp Rotax at 600 kg maximum takeoff mass, but no numbered German data sheet with an approval date could be found publicly – check the individual aircraft's approval status via its data sheet and paperwork.

In the air the low wing shows its strengths: Tecnam quotes 120 kts (222 km/h) maximum cruise, 900 NM (1,667 km) range without reserve, a 14,000 ft service ceiling and 923 ft/min climb, with a stall speed of 40 kts (74 km/h) flaps down. Arithmetically, however, 100 l at around 17 l/h and 120 kts gives only about 700 NM down to the last drop – plan with the flight manual. Takeoff roll is 189 m and landing roll 149 m: shorter grass strips are feasible, but the Sierra is no STOL aircraft. No VNE for the Sierra MkII is documented in a public primary source; the aircraft's flight manual governs.

Strengths: high cruise speed and long range for a 600 kg ultralight, a settled ride in turbulence, a tidy cockpit 1.1 m wide, 100 l of fuel for long legs, and the choice between carburetted and fuel-injected engines. Weaknesses: as a low wing it offers less downward visibility and is more sensitive when taxiing on unpaved surfaces than a high wing; no numbered German data sheet could be found for the Sierra, and the 600 kg approval is documented only through Tecnam and the trade press. Empty weights of pre-MkII aircraft are undocumented, so only the weighing report counts. Figures also scatter: Wikipedia quotes 331 kg empty weight, 598 kg takeoff mass and 1,092 km range for the older P2002-LSA.

The P2002 Sierra is the aircraft for pilots who want to travel two-up, value cruise speed and comfort, and like a low wing. Those flying mainly from short grass strips or needing maximum downward visibility are better served by the P92 Echo.