Piaggio Aero Industries gained EASA Certification for its
Avanti II just a few weeks before the Convention, and in the hope of gaining
U.S. approval during the show, has brought 'FAA Certified' stickers to Orlando.
To meet a 70-ship firm backlog, production is being stepped
up from 18 aircraft this year to 26 in 2006. Eight Avanti IIs were in assembly
in late October.
Massimo Isidori, PAI's svp commercial aircraft, told Show
News that he expects to pick up more Avanti II orders here at NBAA. Price tag
for the new airplane is $6.27 million, including cabin interior. The aircraft
complies with ICAO FAR 23, CAT II single pilot operations.
The Avanti II, which continues the Italian manufacturer's
boast of having the fastest corporate turboprop in production, is being flown
from Piaggio's factory in Genoa to the NBAA static show at Orlando Executive
Airport. The aircraft won't have its interior fitted, as flight test
certification work has taken priority. The week between NBAA and the start of
the Dubai International show will be used to fit the interior in time for it to
debut there.
Although Piaggio hasn't sold any Avantis in the Middle East
to date, Isidori is very optimistic that this will soon occur. "Potential
customers in the Middle East are just as interested in fuel conservation and
the jet speed of the aircraft. There are many potential Middle Eastern buyers
in the region, and they're not all billionaires. This expanding market offers
terrific potential and is one in which the Avanti II has already drawn great
interest, both for the civil and military versions," he said.
There are no external differences between Avanti and Avanti
II, but the cockpit now has a fully integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21
avionics suite featuring three 10" x 8" liquid-crystal adaptive flight
displays, FMS 3000, AHS 3000 and GPS-4000A navigation system. Avanti IIs MTOW
has been increased from 11,550 lb to 12,050 lb. Next year will see the
introduction of upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-66B engines, providing
higher performance.
The first FlightSafety International Avanti Level D
simulator is due to be operational at Piaggio's West Palm Beach facility in
first quarter 2006.
One hundred Avantis have already been delivered. The 70+ backlog
for the Avanti II is valued at around $450 million. The last Avanti produced
was s/n 1104,delivered in October. The first Avanti II, s/n 1105, is here at
NBAA, and is destined for a Swiss customer, while the second is for the U.S.
and due to be delivered 'green' by the end of November. Piaggio at Genoa
undertakes European completions, while U.S. completions are handled by Stevens
Aviation.
The Avanti already holds 11 world speed records. The Avanti
II will offer a maximum cruise speed of 398 kt, VFR range of 1,800 nmi and
maximum operational ceiling of 41,000 feet.
Piaggio Aero Industries can be found at booth 4597. —Mike Vines
