8 Ball Flying Club

N260TA

The task in front of us as members of the 8 Ball Flying Club right now is to reconform to our bylaws, plug the hole from the loss of 99J, and purchase a replacement for our Cessna 172. A Cessna 172 or Equivalent. Key characteristics of the winning aircraft are identified as:

• Cheap to fly like 99J
• Flyable by the greatest number of members
• No special endorsements or qualifications
• Easy and simple to fly
• Suitable for some training, time building and XC
• Four seats
• IFR certified and capable
• Modern avionics like 99J
• Reserve requirement equal to or preferably less than 99J's
• Exterior and interior in at least reasonable shape in line with rest of fleet

Pursuant to the member vote on February 10, 2026, the aircraft up for your consideration as the 99J replacement is N260TA.

N260TA is a 2024 Tecnam p2010 TDI Gran Lusso. It is a one owner almost new aircraft manufactured by Tecnam in Capua, Italy with final assembly at Tecnam USA in Sebring Floride. It's powered by a CD-170 turbodiesel engine built by Continental Aerospace in Mobile, Alabama, and a three blade MT Propeller.

The Tecnam p2010 is widely regarded as the 172 killer. Modern technology and design allows the p2010 to achieve the same mission profiles as the Cessna 172 with greater performance, efficiency and comfort. All at a lower operating cost due to the modern airframe and the efficiency of the Continental CD-170 engine.

With push to start, automated runup,and full authority digital engine control it is known for being simple to operate and fly, while offering a true four seat useful load, advanced avionics and safety features, and a robust build quality and finishing that is unmatched in the general aviation marketplace. Pilot and passenger comfort is more than an afterthought with the p2010, its baked into the DNA. Upgraded ergonomics and finishes, with speeds approaching 182 territory, it offers a cabin width four inches wider than a Cessna 182 and a rear passenger door. Whether training, cross country missions, or just having fun and building time, the p2010 does it better and cheaper than any other 172 competitor.

N260TA is the newest pre-owned p2010 in the marketplace. It is also the only p2010 for sale in the USA with a full manufacturer's tip to tail factory warranty. With only around 200TT It is fully broken in but still like new, and its being offered to The 8 Ball Flying Club at a price substantially below market. A simple search of p2010s for sale confirms this.

A simple comparison of dimensions, statistics, features and equipment confirms the p2010's status as a 172 killer, and it deserves your consideration as a replacement for N5199J.

- LIFESTYLE AVIATION

ABOUT TECNAM

https://tecnam.com/legacy/

Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer founded in 1948 by the Pascale brothers in Capua, Italy, building on their earlier Partenavia design heritage. The company earned a strong reputation in the light sport and training market with efficient, modern designs like the P92 and later expanded into twin-engine and IFR-capable aircraft such as the P2006T and P2010. Today, Tecnam is a global producer serving flight schools, private owners, and special mission operators, with aircraft flying worldwide and a growing focus on fuel efficiency, diesel powerplants, and sustainable aviation solutions.

ABOUT THE p2010 GRAN LUSSO

https://tecnam.com/aircraft/the-gran-lusso

The Tecnam P2010 TDI is a modern four-seat, single-engine aircraft powered by a fuel-efficient Continental CD-170 turbo-diesel engine. Designed and built in Italy, it combines a carbon-fiber fuselage with a metal wing and tail for strength and performance, offering excellent range, low fuel burn (Jet-A), and strong multi-mission capability. With a spacious cabin, large doors, and advanced avionics such as the Garmin G1000 NXi, the P2010 TDI is popular with flight schools and private owners seeking comfort, efficiency, and IFR capability in a contemporary platform.

DIMENSIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

https://continentaldiesel.com/cd-170/

FADEC SIMULATOR

The Continental CD-170 powering the Tecnam P2010 TDI is a modern, turbocharged, liquid-cooled Jet-A piston engine derived from the earlier CD-155/135 series. Its design emphasizes efficiency and simplicity through full authority digital engine control (FADEC), which automatically manages fuel mixture, propeller, and engine parameters thus reducing pilot workload and protecting the engine from improper operation. The CD-170 represents the evolution of Continental’s diesel line, increasing power to 170 hp while maintaining low specific fuel consumption, reliability, and strong high-altitude performance thanks to turbocharging.

The latest models have improved reliability over successive generations with refined gearbox design, cooling systems, and extended TBR (time between replacement) intervals. Aircraft using Continental’s Jet-A diesel family (or closely related Thielert-derived designs) include the Tecnam P2010 TDI, Tecnam P2006T, Cessna 172 JT-A, Diamond DA40 NG, and Diamond DA42. Their growing adoption reflects a broader industry trend toward lower operating costs, global fuel flexibility, and modern engine management systems in contemporary piston aircraft.This family of Continental Jet-A engines has become increasingly common in global general aviation especially in modern composite aircraft like the P2010 TDI.

AVIONICS

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/588901/
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/70143/

The Garmin G1000 NXi paired with the Garmin GFC 700 in the Tecnam P2010 TDI delivers a fully integrated, IFR-capable glass cockpit with high-resolution displays, faster processors, wireless database updates, synthetic vision capability, and advanced flight planning tools. The digital GFC 700 autopilot provides smooth, precise lateral and vertical guidance, including VNAV, coupled approaches, envelope protection, and automatic trim, reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety.

Known for strong dispatch reliability and widespread adoption across general aviation, the G1000 NXi ecosystem benefits from Garmin’s mature software architecture and global support network. For owners and flight schools, the system offers improved situational awareness, safety, streamlined training, and long-term avionics support in a modern, proven platform.

MORE INFO

Flight Schools moving to Tecnam
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2025/march/18/us-aviation-academy-to-acquire-up-to-90-tecnam-trainers
https://tecnam.com/buiqui-aerospace-partners-with-tecnam-to-add-50-new-aircraft-to-its-fleet/
VIVA Aerobus Goes Tecnam TDI

Interesting Articles
https://www.lifestyleaviation.com/blog/news-1/the-tecnam-p2010-mkii-built-around-what-pilots-actually-care-about-299
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/november/pilot/the-ultimate-p2020-gran-lusso

Brochures
https://tecnam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/brochure-Gran-Lusso-250409-w-1.pdf?_se=YWdAbGFrbmlnaHRzLm9yZw%3D%3D
https://continentaldiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Continental_specsheet_JetA_CD170_Engine_Series_A4_PRINT.pdf

About N260TA

This aircraft is a one owner aircraft purchased new directly from the Tecnam factory. It is being sold as the owner has several other aircraft including an ICON, a DA62, and newly purchased Epic E1000. The owner used it to obtain his PPL and no longer has hanger space for it, so it is being sold.

A full factory warranty covers this aircraft until November, 2026. Warranty may be extended through Tecnam.

Financials

Purchase

N260T was listed at $515,000 but is being offered to 8 Ball at $480,000.00
This is a very limited opportunity as the owner has since received a full price cash offer.

If we close at $480,000:
We will see an increase in property taxes of $3,984
We will see an increase in insurance cost annually of $3,923
We will pay LA, CA use tax within 12 months of purchase 9.75% or $46,800

Purchase Strategy

We received $270,000 from the loss of 99J
Finance team plan is to put $240,000 down on an aircraft loan
The remaining $30,000 plus $16,800 from general funds will be used to pay use tax as stated above
We will pay loan origination and other lender fees of $2,937
The amount financed will be $242,937
The interest rate will be 7.49%
The loan term is 15 years
The monthly payment will be $2,266 per month

Dues Impact

Loan payment per member per month is $36
Property tax increase per member per month will be $5
Insurance increase per member per month will be $5
See the breakdown here
This results in an increase in dues per member per month of $46

Flight Rates

This is fully reserved, reflects actual costs plus buffer, and is padded for extra maintenance,
There is also a $20 loan acceleration per hour which will be used to make extra loan payments and shorten the loan.
See the breakdown here
The aircraft will be offered on the flight line between $165 to $175 per hour tach time with acceleration.
If we do not include loan acceleration the hourly cost to members will be $145 to $155 per hour.

Additional information including pro/cons, competitive analysis, and Q&A to follow

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