PIAGGIO AVANTI P180

• Passengers 7

Superb aviation innovation makes the Piaggio P180 Avanti one of the fastest aircraft in its class, outperforming most turbojet planes on the market.

About this aircraft

• The Piaggio P180 Avanti was certified in 1990.
• Its cabin is typically laid out for seven passengers, with an extra seat in the enclosed lavatory if needed. A further passenger can be seated in the cockpit with a single pilot if the aircraft is owned, but not with a charter.
• The aircraft is capable of flying nonstop from London to Cannes or New York to Chicago, although its normal range with passengers onboard is substantially less.
• The external baggage compartment is large enough for five suitcases.
• The  Avanti II received European and US certification in 2005. Piaggio announced the development of another variant, the Avanti EVO, in 2014.

The Piaggio P180 Avanti’s unique design and superior engineering make it a popular charter aircraft for short distances. The turboprop combines Italian elegance and craftsmanship to deliver extraordinary performance and one of the most comfortable rides around.

Interior design

The Piaggio P180 Avanti’s spacious cabin boasts an extra foot of space, length and width than the average light jet. A typical layout seats up to seven passengers, with a two-seat divan and a single seat at the front and four seats in a club formation at the rear.

The Piaggio’s luxurious Italian interior features subtle overhead LEDs, custom-designed silk carpets and Spinneybeck Espana leather seat cushions.

Below is a typical configuration found on a Piaggio P180 Avanti.

Interesting facts to learn before you fly

• The aircraft’s propellers and engine exhausts are located behind the cabin, meaning passengers experience very little vibration or noise whilst flying.
• The Piaggio P180 surpasses the average high-speed cruise distance of competing jets, with a maximum range of around 2,795 km.
• As a result of less drag and a lower fuel burn rate, the Piaggio Avanti is faster than other turboprops and even comes close to some midsize jets, as well as being up to 40% more cost-efficient than competing aircraft.
• The upgraded Piaggio P180 Avanti II has improved avionics and engines.

Technological features

The Piaggio P180 Avanti is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 engines, flat-rated to 850 shp for improved efficiency. Unusually, the aircraft’s propellers are located behind the engines and push the aircraft forward, giving it a distinctive sound in approach and take-off. Piaggio’s heavy wing loading allows smooth handling in turbulence and solid, high-flight-level handling.

History

In 1979, Piaggio began developing a new-generation business aircraft aimed at wealthy Fortune 500 companies. The first Piaggio P180 Avanti prototype flew in 1986 and Italian certification was received in March 1990. Fuselages were made in Kansas and flown to Italy for final assembly, before financial problems stalled production. A group of investors led by Ferrari vice-president Piero Ferarri helped relaunch the project in 1998, with around 100 aircraft delivered by 2005.

The Avanti II launched in 2005 as a more fuel-efficient upgrade, boasting Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B turboprop engines and all-new Rockwell Collins glass panel avionics. A reported 70 planes were ordered within six months of receiving European and U.S. certification. A longer-range variant called the Avanti EVO followed in 2014 with new winglets, composite propellers and an additional 60-gallon fuel tank.

Manufacturer

Headquartered in Villanova d'Albenga, Italy, Piaggio Aerospace is one of the world's oldest aircraft manufacturers. It was founded in 1882 as a locomotive and railway carriage maker, before moving into plane-building during the First World War. In 1966, the business was divided into aviation-focused Piaggio Aero and motor-scooter brand Vespa.

Piaggio hit financial troubles in the late 1990s and was saved by a group of investors. Despite the P180's success, the business went bankrupt in 2018, blaming a lack of orders from the United States following the 2008 financial crisis. In 2019, the Italian government stepped in with orders worth around $760 million (USD) to boost Piaggio’s attractiveness to potential buyers.

Cost

Depending on factors like age and condition, a used Piaggio P180 Avanti can cost around $1.8 million (USD).

Charter rates

Charter rates for the Piaggio P180 Avanti vary depending on the length of your journey and the airports you’re flying in and out of.

If you’d like to charter a Piaggio P180 Avanti, contact our team for a quote today. For information on other charter options, browse our list of available private aircraft.

Wet lease rates

ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) wet lease rates for the Piaggio P180 Avanti vary depending on the age of the aircraft, lease term length, number of guaranteed block hours and average cycle ratio. Contact us for a personalised quote.