Piaggio Aero Industries, famous for its 'jet-like
performance' Avanti and Avanti II corporate turboprops, says plans for a
twin-turbofan corporate aircraft family have been on the cards for the last
four years. The problem is that it can't afford to go alone, and is looking for
a suitable risk-sharing partner to split the expected $600 million development
and certification costs.
Massimo Isidori, PAI's SVP commercial aircraft told Show News that he didn't
expect to make any announcement regarding the jets here at NBAA.
First inklings of the new jets first broke in Show News'
sister publication Business & Commercial Aviation in July this year, after
Forecast International announced on its website that it "had been engaged by a
world-ranked aircraft manufacturer to evaluate the future market for light and
medium jets." Widely held belief at the time that it was Piaggio has now been
confirmed.
The survey focused primarily on a light-medium eight-seat
passenger jet with a maximum IFR range with four passengers of 2,300 nmi and
MTOW of 24,000 lb, to be priced under $11 million and scheduled to enter
service in 2010.
The airplane is expected to offer faster long-range cruise
speeds, shorter climb to max cruise altitude, and longer range than its
competitors, while being able to operate from shorter field lengths, including
hot-and-high conditions. Engines could be from either P&W or Honeywell of
around 4,600-pounds-thrust, and the fully integrated-avionics fit will be
either Honeywell Primus Epic or Collins Pro Line 21 suites.
According to Forecast International, also at the planning
stage but longer term, Piaggio is considering a stretched midsize twin-turbofan
derivative with a 30,000-lb MTOW, capable of carrying ten passengers over a
range of 3,000 nmi. A 'light jet' six-to-nine-passenger version is also on the
designer's screens. The three aircraft types, if developed, would have 80%
commonality.
