About Tecnam Worldwide -

Join Tecnam world and discover that flying has never been so easy. Technology, experience and passion have rendered our products unique and our worldwide assistance network guarantees you the cover you need wherever you fly. Our aircraft are designed not only to provide you with the highest level of safety but also with a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.

S.R.I. Costruziono Aeronautiche Tecnam was founded in 1986 by F.lli Pascale. The company's international headquarters is located in an area adjacent to the International Airport of Napoli-Capodichino with an establishment measuring over 11,000 square meters. A second establishment is located in Castelvoltumo and features the final assembly line, and a flight field where flight tests are carried out.

The Company's interests are divided into two main activities: The first pertains to the construction and assembly of structural components for commercial aviation; among these components are the tailplanes for the ATR 42/72, fuselage panels for Douglas and Boeing, parts of the G222, components for Agusta, and other parts for LearJet, Falcon, Domier, etc. The Company has obtained official qualification for the user of all above mentioned equipment and is ISO 9002 certified by Alenia, Aeronavali, Aermacchi, Agusta and, for what concers special processes, also by Douglas/Boeing. Futhermore, the Company is certified by the Registro Aeronautico Italiano (cit. n. 1004/c) with regards to the production of aircraft certified. The other sector of activity pertains, in fact, to the design and manufacture of prototypes and production units for light or ultralight aviation. Since 1992, Tecnam, drawing on an uncommon field experience of their founders, has entered this market internationally with noteworthy results.

The distribution network of Tecnam aircraft can rely today on dealers in all major countries. The Company's strategy is particularly dedicated on investing resources in research and development with the aim of continued refinement and upgrading of its products.

How It All Started -

The desire to fly was enormous in the period immediately after World War II and many people tried their hand at light aircraft construction. In 1949, the engineer Luigi Pascale was 26 years old and working as an assistant at the Naples University Aeronautical Construction Institute. The civil pilot's license in his pocket was enough to start him off and together with his brother Giovanni, they built a high wing, tandem, two-seater plane.

The P48B Astore - The construction work began in a workshop in early 1949 with four students acting as assistants. The engine was built from the parts of four out-of-service Continental engines. In October 1950, the small plane, christened P48B Astore, was ready at Naples Capodichino Airport but no one wanted to test-fly it.

Eventually, the great Mario De Bernardi intervened and took off on April 2, 1951. His flight was unpaid but he was so impressed withe the quality of the aircraft that he also took care of the certification. For bureaucratic reasons, participation in the Giro Aereo di Sicilia was postponed until 1952.

The crew was composed of Giovanni Pascale and the racing pilot Prince Giovanbattista Caracciolo Carafa who has finished second in the Gara Aerea di Napolo on June 22, 1952. The only example of the P48B continued to fly for some time before being grounded and finally demolished in the mid 1960s.

Prince Caracciolo however was bowled over by the Astore and commissioned Pascale to build him a fast plane that he could also use for his frequent trips abroad. In the face of a substantial sum of money, practically a gentleman's agrement, the P52 Tigrotto was built in record time in 1952. "It remains one of my favorite planes, also because at that time it was one of the most advanced in its category", Luigi Pascale tells us, remembering those difficult but exciting years.

Only a month after its first flight, the bright red plane (I-CARB) took part in the 5th Giro Aereo di Sicilia in 1953 and came in 17th. Immediately after the rally, it was flown to Venice for the 3rd Aeronautical Exhibition. The aircraft, still piloted by Caracciolo, came in 9th at the 1954 Giro Aereo and then went on to participate in the rally at the Fiera di Parigi.

To continue reading, please click here to view the rest of the story in PDF format: Fratelli Pascale Story: From the 30's Onward