Piaggio Avanti

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What are your thoughts on the Piaggio Avanti?

My company is considering purchasing one due to its claim of low interior noise (68db at
cruise) and generous cabin space. Piaggio recently released the updated Piaggio Avanti II
with new engines giving it a 400kt max cruise, but more realistically it will go 370 ktas.

The other options we are considering are the Cessna CJ2, the Beechcraft King Air 350, or
the Beechcraft Premier 1a

Which would you choose?

-- Jared Branson, July 4, 2010

Answers

One big issue with the Piaggio is zero-fuel weight. I don't think you can have more than four adult passengers and a few bags, regardless of how short the trip.

Maintenance and parts are a big issue, I think, unless you can get Avantair to do all of the maintenance. There are very few non-fractional Piaggios in the U.S.

-- Philip Greenspun, July 5, 2010


The main consideration with the Avanti is range with expected payload. Don't fall for the full fuel trap, that's amatuerish, and you are spending real money. Figure your regular missions for payload and range. Forget the "it would be nice" and "we don't know" and rare scenarios (once again, real money). If you can't write a check for a G550 with custom interior then do the math, and consider only the known missions.

If it meets your mission needs it's a great choice.

-- Eric Warren, July 5, 2010