Modern Aircraft-The Piaggio Avanti II

Modern Aircraft-The Piaggio Avanti II

The Piaggio Avanti is an executive aircraft built by the Italian firm Piaggio Aero. The Avanti has a visual flair reminiscent of ground bound vehicles make by Italian companies such as Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, and Aprilla. The gentle aerodynamic curve of the fuselage gives the aircraft increased aerodynamic efficiencies that results in decreased drag and efficient high speed, high altitude flight performance. Piaggio engineers were able to reduce the total wing area by integrating it with the fuselage which provides up to 20% of the total lift.

The aircraft uses a pusher configuration (engines mounted with props pointed to the rear) and a forward canard. The plane offers operators the speed of light jets, the comfort of a mid size cabin, and operating efficiencies that are 40% higher than jet aircraft and 25% higher than competing twin engine business turpo-props.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach .7 and a certified service ceiling of 41,000 ft. which allows it to fly above most weather systems. It's certified for single pilot operations and is able to seat up to nine passengers in a stand up cabin.

The Avanti II is constructed 90% from aluminum and 10% from composites. It's powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-A turboprop engines encased in Morreggio all composite nacelles. The engines are mounted above the wing, rated at 850 shp each, and power Hartzell five bladed, constant speed, full feathering, reversible pitch, rear mounted propellers. Fuel is held in two fuselage tanks and two wing tanks. The maximum range of the aircraft with one pilot, six passengers, and IFR reserves is 1800 nm.

The airplane uses an avionic system based on the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 which features three 8x10 inch LCD displays, an FMS 3000 flight management system, and AHS 3000 attitude reference system. The pilot and copilot have fully adjustable reclining seats.

For cabin occupants the Avanti II is a very comfortable airplane. The pusher configuration pushes sound towards the tail of the aircraft while innovative fuselage, wing, and engine design reduces vibration and maximizes passenger comfort.

The aircraft offers something for everyone. For pilots its performance puts it on par with many of the entry level corporate jets and its landing distance over a 50ft.obstacle of 2860 ft. and its takeoff distance over a 50 ft. obstacle of 2850 ft. give it the ability to operate out of a greater variety of smaller airfields. For passengers, it offers all the comforts that executives expect out of their aircraft including a stand up cabin and quiet noise levels. For operators it offers turbofan performance at turboprop operating efficiencies.

The Piaggio Avanti II is an aircraft that looks as well as it performs.