The Piaggio P.180 Avanti is a twin-turboprop business jet manufactured by the Italian company Piaggio Aerospace. Unlike other turboprop aircraft, it features a pusher propeller configuration and a three-lifting-surface (foreplane, main wing, and tail) design. This unique architecture provides the aircraft with high speed and fuel efficiency. With its laminar flow fuselage and quiet cabin design, the Avanti is used in both business and private aviation.

^{Piaggio P.180 Avanti (X Haluk Bayraktar)}

Purpose of Development and History

The Piaggio P.180 Avanti's development began in the mid-1980s when Piaggio engineers sought a new design that would combine the fuel economy of propeller aircraft with the speed and comfort of business jets. The primary goal was to produce a business aircraft capable of achieving higher speeds with less fuel consumption while offering a spacious cabin volume. The first prototype made its flight in 1986, and after testing, it received certification and entered service in 1990. Subsequent variants, the Avanti II and Avanti EVO, were later developed, incorporating improvements in performance, avionics systems, and cabin features to meet contemporary standards.

^{Piaggio P.180 Avanti (Wetzel Aviation)}

Design Features

The P.180 Avanti stands out from other aircraft due to its distinct design features:

• Three-Lifting-Surface Configuration: Unlike conventional aircraft, it has a foreplane (canard) positioned near the nose in addition to the main wing and tailplane. These three surfaces enhance the aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency, providing better lift with less drag.
• Pusher Propellers: The engines and propellers are mounted behind the wings in a pusher configuration. This design reduces the negative effects of propeller turbulence on the main wings and significantly decreases cabin noise.
• Laminar Flow Fuselage: The aircraft's fuselage is specifically designed to minimize aerodynamic drag, maintaining laminar flow for almost its entire length. This characteristic helps the aircraft achieve high speeds.
• Spacious Cabin: Despite its exterior appearance, the aircraft's cabin is spacious, offering comparable head and shoulder room to an average mid-size jet.

^{Piaggio P.180 Avanti (Generated with Artificial Intelligence)}

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer: Piaggio Aerospace Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B turboprop engines (for Avanti and Avanti II) Power: 850 shp (shaft horsepower) each Crew: 1-2 pilots Passenger Capacity: 6-9 passengers Length: 12.2 meters Wingspan: 14.0 meters Height: 3.9 meters Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW): Approximately 5,480 kg Maximum Cruise Speed: Approximately 732 km/h (402 knots, 455 mph) Range: Approximately 2,800 km (1,500 nautical miles, 1,700 miles) Service Ceiling: 12,500 meters (41,000 ft)

Prominent Features and Areas of Use

The Piaggio P.180 Avanti is favored in various fields due to the advantages provided by its design:

• High Speed and Fuel Efficiency: Its combination of turboprop engine fuel economy with near-jet speeds makes it particularly attractive for short to medium-range business flights.
• Cabin Comfort: The aircraft offers a remarkably spacious and quiet cabin for its class, ensuring a more comfortable travel experience for passengers.
• Versatility: Beyond executive and private transport, it's also used for special missions such as air ambulance services, military and civilian surveillance, mapping, and aerial reconnaissance.

Collaborations and Key Developments

Baykar's Acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace: Baykar has acquired a majority stake in Italy's aerospace firm, Piaggio Aerospace. The acquisition was completed with the approval of the Italian government, and Baykar's offer was accepted over international competitors.

Utilization of the P.180 Avanti Platform: Piaggio's P.180 Avanti turboprop aircraft is a model known for its performance and efficiency. Baykar plans to integrate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies onto this platform.

European Production and Market Expansion: Baykar aims to increase its production capacity in the European market by utilizing Piaggio Aerospace's manufacturing facilities in Italy.

Employment and Production Capacity: Baykar has committed to preserving the existing workforce at Piaggio and increasing its production capacity.

Technological Integration and R&D: Baykar is conducting new product development by integrating Piaggio's engineering and manufacturing capabilities into its own UAV projects. In this context, work is underway on unmanned versions of the P.180 platform.

Piaggio P.180 Avanti Selçuk Bayraktar (Selçuk Bayraktar)