Piaggio P.180 Avanti spotted over Farnborough...

[yellowjack]

...Wednesday evening, something on an unusual flight path, quite low, and making a godawful racket, while I was out making a fuss of next door's dog, and chatting with his rather lovely owner.

So I look up, and there, just south of the M3, heading roughly east to west at a decent lick, was this weird-looking contraption...



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piaggio_P.180_Avanti

Now I've seen 'em before, at the airshow, living, as I do, in Farnborough. But I can't recall seeing one "in the wild" before.

[Truckosaurus]

I've seen one (probably the same one) taking off from F'boro before, it is definitely an interesting looking beast.

[enjo]

Very cool contraption.

[Eric Mc]

And a very distinctive sound.

[onyx39]

that's nothing.
Last Saturday we had 4 ship of spits and hurricanes go over, as well as a Typhoon.

[Eric Mc]

I've seen far more Spitfires than Piaggio 180s.

[insurance_jon]

we have a client who is acquiring one for their corporate needs (pher as well). apparently the figures stack up on the running costs quite well

[J3JCV]

I spend a fair bit of time down at the airport marina in Genoa where it looks like they make or at least maintain these, as they have huge sheds and tons of those planes inside and out. Quite often I see all the workers on their smoko and its sort of put me off ever flying in one really.
I once happened across a picket line or strike of some description when they blocked the road that passes between the factory and the airport, this is the only way in and out of the marina so I was surrounded by them for a bit before they let me past, all very weird.

[kurt535]

i just hope they don't build 'friday' planes like their cars and motorbikes........

[RosscoPCole]

I think they are very distinctive and I really like the look of them.
Don't Ferrari have a few of them? Also I think Piero Ferrari invested money into the aircraft when it was in development.

[ecsrobin]

I think the only thing noisier is the regular antonov flight over Southampton.

[onyx39]

Courtesy of Facebook

[Roy Lime]

I haven't seen it for a while but one of these was recently flying into Manchester Airport quite frequently.

[Eric Mc]

One's just landed at Farnborough.

[GSP]

There used to be a private one permanently based at Manchester Airport

[HoHoHo]

Is it simply aerodynamics that dictate pusher props or is there a better reason - i.e. noise or comfort in the cabin?

I've had a few pusher prop model aircraft in my time and they have a totally different noise and are pretty good at extracting blood when hand launching

I appreaciate this isn't a model, or hand launched before the replies start

[couzens]

They're in and out all the time. Cool aircraft to deal with. DINKY as pictured and DIIVA are the two we get in frequently.

[TIGA84]

Seen a few into Biggin Hill over the last couple of years.

[benters]

what about a pic of the Dog Owner ?
come on this is Pistonheads

[Brother D]

Always wanted to see one of these in the flesh so to speak


(I don't *think* there are many/any flying, and the original Beech company tried to buy them back/swap them)