Tecnam P2008 vs P92: Which LSA Makes the Better Primary Trainer in 2025?

Short answer: If you want the lowest-cost, highest-payload, no-drama primary trainer, pick the P92 Echo MkII. If you want a more premium cabin, more fuel on board, and brand appeal for discovery flights and XC days, the P2008 earns its keep.

Key differences at a glance (2025)

Item	Tecnam P2008	Tecnam P92 Echo MkII
Structure	Composite fuselage with metal wings/tail	Carbon-fiber fuselage (MkII) with metal wings
Engine options	Rotax 912 ULS / 912 iS (fuel-inj.) / 914 Turbo	Rotax 912 ULS / 912 iS
Max cruise	Up to 128 kt (marketing spec; LSA cruise varies by config)	115 kt
Useful load (std)	465 lb	537 lb
Fuel capacity	32 gal	24 gal (2 × 12)
Typical fuel burn	~4.5 gph (mogas/avgas)	~4.5 gph (mogas/avgas)
Cabin	Garmin G3X options; upscale fit/finish	Garmin G3X options; simpler, lighter
New-market price band*	Roughly $200k–$260k (spec & avionics)	Roughly $160k–$260k (spec & avionics)

*Based on current listings/asks, not MSRP; exact spec drives price. controller.com+4Tecnam Aircraft+4Tecnam Aircraft+4

Why schools pick the P92 for ab-initio

1) Payload margin matters every day. With a ~537 lb useful load, the P92 gives you breathing room for two larger adults + fuel + headsets/books, reducing fuel micromanagement and weight-and-balance constraints on busy training days. The P2008’s ~465 lb useful load is fine for most pairings, but the P92’s extra ~70 lb often keeps you “green” when it’s hot and density altitude is up. Tecnam Aircraft+1

2) Lower empty weight = simpler economics. Both airframes sip ~4.5 gph on Rotax 912s, but the P92’s lighter baseline and simpler interior help keep hourly direct operating cost predictable and low for high-cycle pattern work. (Rotax 912 series supports mogas and has ~2,000-hr TBO, which most schools prize for cost control.) Tecnam Aircraft+2Tecnam Aircraft+2

3) Proven as a student platform. The P92 line has three decades of flight-school DNA. Even in 2024–25, you’ll find big programs selecting it for training and competition roles—precisely because it’s easy to fly, economical, and durable. Tecnam Aircraft

When the P2008 is the better buy

1) Longer legs and nicer “first impression.” With 32 gal on board vs 24 gal in the P92, the P2008 carries ~8 gal more fuel—handy for long XC lessons or when fuel availability is spotty. The composite fuselage also brings a more upscale cabin feel, which converts discovery flights → enrollments in competitive markets. Tecnam Aircraft

2) Avionics showcase. Both accept Garmin G3X Touch, autopilot, ADS-B, etc., but the P2008 is often spec’d as the “premium” LSA in a school’s lineup—great for students progressing to modern glass and for marketing. Tecnam Aircraft

3) Resale optics. Current asks for late-model P2008s commonly run ~$200k–$250k+ with glass and autopilot; well-kept aircraft tend to move. That helps total cost of ownership if you rotate fleets every few years. api.hangar67.com+1

Flying qualities & training fit

• Stalls/low-speed: Both list 39 kt flaps-down stall and benign handling appropriate for first solos. Tecnam Aircraft+1
• Visibility & ergonomics: High-wing, big doors, and tidy glareshields make checklists and outside-scan teacher-friendly in both; the P92 posts the cabin width (≈46 in) while the P2008 highlights overall cabin volume and finish. Tecnam Aircraft+1
• Runway performance: Both publish short takeoff/landing figures (P2008 ~600/1,190 ft; P92 ~702/1,211 ft in spec example)—plenty for typical school fields. Real-world results depend on prop, weight, and DA. Tecnam Aircraft+1

Cost realism (what you actually pay per hour)

• Fuel: ~4.5 gph × local mogas/avgas price. (Many schools run mogas where permitted to trim costs.) Tecnam Aircraft+1
• Maintenance: Rotax 912 2,000-hr TBO; leaded avgas use increases maintenance burden vs mogas—plan accordingly. Wikipedia
• Acquisition: Current market shows P92 examples from roughly $160k–$260k depending on spec; P2008 examples cluster ~$200k–$260k (higher with premium avionics). Your quote will swing with 912 iS vs ULS, autopilot, parachute, paint, and interior. controller.com+2controller.com+2

Maintenance & durability notes

• Airframe: Both are modern mixed-material LSAs; MkII updates gave the P92 a carbon-fiber fuselage and refreshed systems while retaining its rugged, easy-to-repair wing structure. The P2008 has been composite-fuselage from the start. Tecnam Aircraft+1
• Engines: 912 ULS (carb) is simple and common; 912 iS (injected) improves mixture control and can shave fuel on long legs—worth it if your syllabus includes lots of cross-country. (Either way, plan your 100-hrs and calendar inspections into fleet availability.) Tecnam Aircraft

Which one should your school buy?

Choose the P92 Echo MkII if you prioritize:

• Throughput economics (payload headroom, light empty weight).
• Pattern abuse tolerance and straightforward maintenance.
• Keeping entry price as low as possible while still offering G3X glass. Tecnam Aircraft

Choose the P2008 if you prioritize:

• Marketing appeal and a more refined student experience.
• Longer XC range and fewer fuel stops thanks to 32 gal capacity.
• A flagship LSA that bridges nicely to your glass IFR platform (e.g., Tecnam P-Mentor) for later stages. Tecnam Aircraft

My 2025 verdict: For a single-type, hard-working primary fleet, the P92 is the value winner. For a two-type mix, lead with P92s for ab-initio volume and add one P2008 as your “wow” airplane for discovery flights, long dual XCs, and marketing photos.

Sources

• Tecnam P2008 official page (specs, fuel, weights, options). Tecnam Aircraft
• Tecnam P92 Echo MkII official page (specs, fuel, weights, cabin width). Tecnam Aircraft
• Market pricing snapshots (Controller, Hangar67, AVPay). avpay.aero+3controller.com+3controller.com+3
• Rotax 912 overview/TBO & fuels. Wikipedia