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That Little Hot Rod Italian Turboprop

MD-90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 8417 posts, RR: 13
Posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1903 times:

Piaggio has re-introduced the Piaggio P.180 Avanti. It's powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT-6A 850 shp turboprops. Max cruise (at optimum altitude and temperature) is a blistering 395 knots. That's faster than a Cessna CitationJet or CJ1. Does anyone have any information about flying in one, or even just looking inside one at an airshow? I also believe the cockpit features a 3 or 5 screen Rockwell Collins avionics suite. Can anyone confirm this? Mostly converntional metal construction, although the canard, empennage, and a couple of other items are made of composites. Ferrari recently bought two new ones.

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8 replies: All unread, jump to last

Starship From South Africa, joined Nov 1999, 1098 posts, RR: 16
Reply 1, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1831 times:

I am a great fan of the P180 Avanti. In response to the query above, the aircraft is equipped with a three-tube Rockwell Collins EFIS System as standard.

The fuselage construction is somewhat unique. It has a glass-like finish thanks to a unique outside-in construction method adopted by Piaggio. This means that the internal structure is riveted to the preformed aluminium skin from inside for an uncompromising smooth exterior.

MD-90, I can e-mail you Avanti pics if you like - just let me know: fanjet@worldonline.co.za

Behind every "no" is a "yes"

Steman From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1275 posts, RR: 8
Reply 2, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1820 times:

Hi,
I can confirm you that the P-180 is a very impressive aircraft.
I saw it many times at Italian airshows and it has a high degree of manouvrability plus an incredible acceleration and speed.
I live in Ciampino, Romes second airport, and I can see the three examples of the Italian Army every morning when I go to work.
Also the Air Force has 18 examples and Ferrari uses one for corporate purpose.

Ciao

Stefano

MD-90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 8417 posts, RR: 13
Reply 3, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 1809 times:

There's a really good reprint of an article by Richard Collins test flying the P-180 at aopa.org, but I think you have to be a member to see it. I'm also glad to see that Piaggio's producing them again, and I hope it'll be more successful this time around. It's too good of a design to fail.

TurboTristar From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 4, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1798 times:

One of the best looking aircraft!

TurboTristar

Starship From South Africa, joined Nov 1999, 1098 posts, RR: 16
Reply 5, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1790 times:

The Avanti first met the light of day some 21 years ago in 1979. It was way ahead of its time and perhaps the financial difficulties that Piaggio were experiencing at the time were the saving grace of this innovative aircraft. Production is now expected to reach at least 26 aircraft by the end of 2001.

Incidentally the Avanti has a unique 3-lifting surface design. For a full technical description of this concept you can visit this web site

http://www.etruria.com/3lsc.html

Ferrari's Corporate Transport

Behind every "no" is a "yes"

MD-90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 8417 posts, RR: 13
Reply 6, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 1778 times:

Does anyone like the Beech Starship over the P-180? I've got to admit the Starship has a very advanced (for the time) cockpit, with more glass than a 777 and a MD-11 put together.

EVA744 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 7, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 1775 times:

Will this aircraft be used in commercial routes and airlines?

EVA744

MD-90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 8417 posts, RR: 13
Reply 8, posted (12 years 7 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 1768 times:

It can seat 9 in a commuter configuration, but without a lav. It's possible a charter company could operate it with one pilot, but as for airline service, no way.

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