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Piaggio Avanti Takes U.S. by Storm
As Buyers Subscribe to Ferrari Image
Piaggio is seeing increased interest in the Avanti high-speed
twin-turboprop since the September 11 attacks, as businesses and
individuals respond to reduced airline schedules and longer trip
times.
The company sees "two-thirds to three-quarters" of
its future sales in North America, according to Steve Hanvey,
president of Piaggio America.
Rescued from the edge of shutdown at the end of 1998 by a group
of investors led by Piero Ferrari of Italy's sports-and racing-car
dynasty, Piaggio is gradually rebuilding production of its unique
twin-pusher Avanti and re-introducing the type to the U.S. market.
"People talk about a slowdown, but we haven't seen that at
all," says Hanvey. "We have an overwhelming number of
people wanting demo flights. Customers get out and say 'Wow!'
People have no idea that the airplane will go as fast as we say
it will, and they assume that it's not large inside because it
doesn't look big on the outside."
The twin-PT6 Avanti's three-surface layout endows it with Citation-like
speed and altitude (395 knots, Mach 0.7 and 41,000 feet) and the
cabin cross-section of a midsize jet, at a small-jet price of
under $5 million. With its aft-mounted main wing, barbel-like
foreplane and small-diameter pusher propellers, it cannot be mistaken
for any other aircraft.
You can also expect to have the only Avanti on your block for
a while. There are currently 22 Avantis in the U.S., and the next
deliveries will be available at the end of the second quarter
of next year, says Hanvey.
Production this year will total 15 aircraft, and 22 airplanes
will be built in 2002. If sales hold up, Piaggio expects to build
30-36 aircraft in 2003-more than double this year's output.
Gradual enhancements are being made to the airplane, mostly in
the avionics. These include the introduction of a Goodrich FlightWatch
traffic and weather mapping system, and an optional LandMark terrain
warning system.
Piaggio is here at Static #4.
By Bill Sweetman
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