40 Years of the P180 Avanti General-Purpose Aircraft

September 26 marked the 40th anniversary of the Italian P180 Avanti general-purpose aircraft. On that day in 1986, its first prototype took flight at Genoa-Sestri Airport. The aircraft was developed by Piaggio Aero Industries, a small company founded as far back as 1884 that has produced a variety of vehicles throughout its long history. In the postwar period, it was known as a manufacturer of multipurpose amphibious aircraft, notably the P166, whose powerplant featured pusher propellers.

The “Avanti” was a highly unusual aircraft and remains the world’s only mass-produced commercial aircraft with three lifting surfaces: a front wing, a main wing located behind the passenger cabin, and a tail stabilizer. Moreover, the developer claimed that up to 20% of the lift is generated by the fuselage, which has a wing-like profile. The pusher propellers also helped improve aerodynamic performance during cruise flight. As a result, the aircraft gained significant advantages over its traditional “peers.” For example, it is nearly 200 km/h faster and more fuel-efficient than the American Super King Air 250, which has the same dimensions and engines.

In developing the “Avanti,” the Italians collaborated with the American company Gates Learjet, one of the leading manufacturers of business jets. Above all, its designers helped develop the pressurized fuselage, as Piaggio’s specialists lacked the necessary experience. In addition, the Italians were behind schedule in preparing fuselage production, so the first 12 were ordered from another American contractor.

The development and ramp-up of production for the cutting-edge R180 proved to be a very costly endeavor. The production aircraft cost significantly more than their competitors, which had been in production for a long time and had been manufactured in the hundreds, if not thousands. Despite its high performance and the support of the Italian government, demand for the “Avanti” remained low. As a result, Piaggio nearly went bankrupt. The company underwent several reorganizations and name changes, and was eventually acquired in 1998 by the international group Ferrari NV, known for its luxury sports cars. This saved the Avanti program from being shut down.

Production of the aircraft continues. In total, nearly 250 units have been built. The aircraft has undergone two major upgrades, becoming slightly larger and faster, and has been equipped with digital avionics. Designed to carry 7–9 VIP passengers, the most modern version, the P180 Avanti EVO, is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 A-66B turboprop engines, each producing 850 e.k.s. The aircraft is 14.4 m long, has a wingspan of 14 m, a maximum takeoff weight of 5,500 kg, a maximum speed of 740 km/h, and a range of 2,800 km with four passengers on board.

The largest operator of the R180 was the American company Avantair, which specialized in VIP transportation and provided aircraft for lease. Its fleet consisted of 56 “Avantas.” In total, operators in at least two dozen countries purchased these aircraft, including Austria, Bangladesh, India, Canada, Malta, Germany, the UAE, and France. Most of the aircraft remain in service, and not just as air limousines. For example, in Italy, several government agencies use them for various types of monitoring, and in Poland, two “Avanti” aircraft are used for medical evacuation.