P.166AL1
Piaggio · Italy · first flew 1957 · transport aircraft
The Piaggio P.166AL1 was the first production version of the P.166 gull-winged light transport, powered by two 340 hp Lycoming GSO-480 piston engines driving pusher propellers, with seats for two pilots and six to eight passengers; 29 were built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Distinctive upswept rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Gull-wing configuration with engines above the wing
- Pusher propeller arrangement
- Distinctive upswept rear fuselage
The gull wing with pusher propellers is the unmistakable identification feature; engines sit above and behind the wing leading edge; upswept rear fuselage terminates in a conventional tail.
Specifications
- The P.166AL1 has a length of 11.9 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.69 m (48 ft).
- Typical crew: 1-2, up to 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The P.166 first flew on 26 November 1957, drawing on the gull-wing, pusher-engine layout of the earlier P.136 amphibian. The AL1 was the first production model, with non-slanted cockpit side windows and 340 hp Lycoming GSO-480-B1C6 engines. The turboprop P.166D did not fly until 1976.
Variants
P.166AL1 (first production, Lycoming GSO-480 pistons); P.166M (military P.166A); P.166B Portofino (380 hp, longer nose); P.166CL2 feederliner; P.166DL3 (Lycoming LTP101 turboprops); P.166DP1 (PT6A re-engined).
Where you'll see it
Built for civil light transport and executive use; the military P.166M served the Italian Air Force.
Related aircraft
- Piaggio P.166M
- Piaggio P.150
- Piaggio P.148
- Piaggio P.136
- An-12 (Cub)
- Avia 14T
- Canadair CP-107 Argus
- Cessna U-3A
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