Page 15 - AAA APRIL - MAY 2017 Online Magazine

FeAtUre BUsiness Jets

unmanned version of the Avanti, Renato “The twin turboprop aircraft is the perfect The five-inch-enlarged cabin door, in
Vaghi, Chief Executive Officer of Piaggio answer to our business and personal needs combination with its already low ground
Aerospace, says, “We are very proud and indeed a perfect combination of lavish clearance, allows an easier and more direct
of our aircraft (the new EVO) and will Italian style, comfort and best-in-class stretcher-loading in the aircraft, thus
continue to promote it around the world.” operational performance, with an excellent enhancing the overall aircraft capability in
The company’s presence at key business cost-benefit ratio,” Vaghi says. ambulance operations. “The enlarged door
aviation events and air shows underlines The EVO boasts one of the largest cabins option, specifically designed for special
Piaggio Aero’s full commitment to the in the turboprop market. “In a world that’s missions, highlights Piaggio Aerospace
sector, he adds. Piaggio has invested always moving faster, business aviation willingness to be a key player in this sector.
heavily in a new factory in Villanova plays an ever more crucial role. Business In particular, Avanti EVO characteristics –
d’Albenga, with separate commercial aircraft increase efficiency and eliminate overall performance, pressurization and
and military production lines, capable of waiting times, making travel faster and roomy cabin, and now an enlarged door –
producing 60 aircraft a year in total. time spent on board both more productive make it the perfect platform for fulfilling
Avanti EVO is a great product, with and more relaxing,” Vaghi says. Piaggio is medical operators ‘needs,” Vaghi says.
unique features that can satisfy the needs also promoting the EVO as a multi-mission Currently, there are more than 220 P.180
of the most sophisticated customers, Vaghi platform, with flight calibration and air Avanti aircraft in operation globally: 6 Avanti
claims. The Avanti EVO accommodates up ambulance services just two of the many EVO, 126 of the second-generation Avanti II,
to nine passengers and is capable of flying missions the aircraft can perform. and 89 of the original Avanti.
at a maximum cruise speed of 402 knots (745 Versatility and reliability, in unison with According to Vaghi, Piaggio is working
km/h), with a maximum range IFR of 1,809 advanced technology and optimised cabin hard to improve customer support,
nm, a climb rate of 2,770 fpm, and a maximum pressurisation, make Avanti EVO not only a especially through a campaign to improve
cruise altitude of 41,000 feet. world-class business aviation aircraft, but in the availability of parts, which has been a
Avanti EVO is ideal for any continental its special mission capacity it also functions source of frustration to operators. “There
destination, while its ability to land on short as a highly accomplished multi utility aircraft. has been an issue of what parts are needed,
or even semi prepared runways allows access Avanti EVO is used by the armed forces, and when, by operators. But now, we are
to peripheral airports and smaller airfields government agencies and a diverse range of reaching agreements with third party
not served by scheduled flights. private operators such as air ambulance units, support providers to ensure that what is
The upgraded Avanti also features new photogrammetric patrol units for territorial needed is available. We have also increased
propeller blades that have reduced noise control and environmental protection. It is our investments world-wide for spare parts,”
levels both externally and inside the cabin. even for flight inspections. he adds.

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