The first of two new Tecnam P2012 SMP aircraft for Apex Flight Academy have arrived at Taoyuan International airport in Taiwan. The nine-seater aircraft took off from the OEM's factory in Capua, Italy and arrived in Taipei after 6,600 nm, with 10 fuel stops via Russia, Siberia and South Korea, and facing icing temperatures as low as -24 degrees Celsius.

Apex, the only professional flight training organisation in Taiwan, will expand its operations with the multi-mission capabilities of the P2012 Sentinel SMP performing: passenger transportation, air ambulance missions, sightseeing tours, parachute jumping and aerial photography.

The Italian-made P2012 aircraft is capable of carrying nine passengers and two pilots. Apex pilots and technicians completed their flight and maintenance training in a dedicated programme held in Italy earlier this year. The second aircraft is scheduled to join the fleet in 2022, with six additional options.

The introduction of the aircraft into the Apex fleet provides its customers with cost-effective and various configuration options, while always offering experiences that exceed passengers' expectations, such as air-conditioning, in-seat power, the widest leg-room in its class and under-seat storage space.

Avionics by Garmin offer pilots all the information they require for day, night, IFR and PBN operations, making operations to any airfield another key factor in the choice of aircraft.

Apex chairman Wilson Kao announced that Apex will be introducing sightseeing air tours and aerial photography services alongside its training academy initially. According to the chairman, the company is working with travel agencies to introduce the very first aerial tours in Taiwan that take passengers to see the picturesque mountains, canyon and coast of eastern Taiwan that has never been explored aerially in the past.

“We are very delighted to have this wonderful Italian aircraft in Taiwan. It offers the full versatility we need to operate different missions and expand our business plan and offer the best in class service to our customers” says Kao.

Tecnam MD Giovanni Pascale adds: “It is an honour to have another P2012 in Asia. We consider that market strategic, and we are sure that the P2012, with its undoubtable features and benefits will be revitalising aviation in that area.”