On Sunday, October 5, during its flight to NBAA Convention, a
Piaggio Avanti flown by Piaggio America chief pilot Arthur St.
Clair set a new world speed record for class C-1.E aircraft (between
6,614-13,228 pounds MTOW). The course speed for the 854 nmi distance
from Chicago's Midway Airport (MDW) to Orlando Executive (ORL)
was 426 mph. The flight took two hours, 18 minutes and 12 seconds.
Piaggio America President Tom Appleton, who was aboard, said "The Avanti
has now set seven speed records. That's a tremendous accomplishmentmore
importantly it demonstrates the Avanti's unparalleled performance
and operating capabilities."
