Avanti Prestissimo-Bravissimo!

Piaggio's Avanti has set a new Class C-1.E point-to-point speed record on its way to this year's NBAA, Sunday. Flying from Fort Worth's Meacham International Airport to Orlando Executive Airport, the sleek pusher turboprop twin covered the 865 nmi distance in two hours, 25 minutes, at the impressive speed of 361 knots (415 mph).

The aircraft was piloted by Bill Hauprich, Piaggio America's director of engineering and standards, along with executive vp of sales and marketing, Jim Holcombe, as his copilot. The nine-seat Avanti is certified for single-pilot operations and is the fastest FAR Part 23 certified turboprop in production today.

The aircraft used for Sunday's flight was the 50th Avanti-one that was sold to a California customer earlier this year and "borrowed" back by Piaggio for the show. The record-making Avanti is now on display at site #55 in the NBAA static lineup.

By Robert Hewson