Cape Air Introduces New Aircraft

People flying the beautiful skies of Montana will be able to in greater comfort thanks to an investment made by the Cape Air company.

Cape Air officials were at the L.M. Clayton Airport in Wolf Point last week to introduce the community to Cape Air’s new P2012 Traveller Tecnam plane.

“Everybody is really excited,” Erin Hatzell, Cape Air’s regional director of marketing, said. “They have been positive responses.”

She explained that the process of having the 11-seat engine aircraft has been a 10-year process for Cape Air. The airplane industry hasn’t produced a nine-passenger plane for about 35 years.

Cape Air joined a partnership with Tecnam. A research and design team, led by award-winning expert Luigi Pascale, with the passenger’s comfort in mind. The large cabin can accommodate up to 11 seats including a maximum of nine passengers.

“Every passenger will have a perfect window seat,” Hatzell said.

The plane features under-seat storage for passenger to put items including purses in, a cup holder, USB chargers, heat, air conditioning and overhead lights.

After training staff last week, the first scheduled flights with the new P2012 were on Thursday, April 8. Three of the planes will be used in the region with 402s to be available as back-ups.

The P2012 is powered by two Lycoming six cylinders’ turbo pistons. It is the first piston aircraft with electronic management of engine power.

Cape Air has served as Montana’s Essential Air Service carrier for the past seven and half years. During that time, Cape Air has established solid relationships in communities including helping sponsor activities.

“We’ve really built great relationships,” Hatzell said. Communities that Cape Air serve in Montana include Billings, Wolf Point, Sidney, Glasgow, Glendive and Havre. There’s still two and a half years left in the current EAS contract with Cape Air.