P.166DL3
Piaggio Aero · Italy · first flew 1976 · transport aircraft
The Piaggio P.166DL3 is a refined turboprop variant of the P.166 series used primarily by the Italian Air Force for liaison, training support, and light utility transport, featuring improved avionics over earlier marks.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | T-style conventional tail; upswept aft fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Gull-wing pusher turboprop layout unique to Piaggio P.166 family
- Avco Lycoming LTP-101 engines mounted above wing
- T-style conventional tail; upswept aft fuselage
Indistinguishable in silhouette from other P.166 turboprop variants; pusher propellers and gull wing remain the key identifiers; slightly longer engine nacelles than the piston-powered P.166M.
Specifications
- The P.166DL3 has a length of 11.9 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.69 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 368 km/h (229 mph).
- 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 DL3 designation (Derivato Lavorato 3) represents the third major turboprop iteration of the P.166, entering Italian Air Force service in the mid-1970s. Compared with the AL1, it introduced upgraded Lycoming LTP-101-700 engines and improved cabin equipment. The Italian Air Force operated a substantial fleet of DL3s, many of which were eventually updated or withdrawn as more capable types became available.
Variants
Preceding AL1; succeeded by DP1; same airframe family as all P.166 variants.
Where you'll see it
Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) primary user; also used for calibration and support flying.
Related aircraft
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