P180 Avanti
Piaggio · Italy · first flew 1986 · light aircraft
The Piaggio P180 Avanti is a strikingly unconventional Italian twin-turboprop, using a three-surface layout and pusher propellers to reach near-jet speeds with turboprop economy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Sleek streamlined fuselage giving it a distinctive porpoise-like profile |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-surface layout with a small forward canard, main wing and T-tail
- Twin pusher turboprops mounted on the wing facing aft
- Sleek streamlined fuselage giving it a distinctive porpoise-like profile
Unmistakable: a slim fuselage, a small forward canard ahead of the cabin, a rear main wing carrying pusher turboprops and a T-tail. Nothing else in the class shares its three-surface, pusher layout.
Specifications
- The P180 Avanti has a length of 14.41 m (47 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.03 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 741 km/h (460 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2 pilots.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The first prototype flew on 23 September 1986, gaining Italian certification in 1990. Its three-surface design, with a forward canard, a rear-set main wing and a T-tail, lets the main wing sit behind the cabin for an unobstructed interior, and it remains the fastest certified propeller aircraft.
Variants
The line progressed through the original Avanti, the upgraded Avanti II with new avionics and more power, and the Avanti EVO with revised propellers and winglets for lower noise. All keep the pusher three-surface configuration.
Where you'll see it
A rare but recognisable sight in UK skies, the Avanti operates in corporate and air-ambulance roles and appears at Farnborough and regional business fields. Its distinctive shape and sound make it a spotter favourite across Britain.
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