79-494: The Piaggio P.180 Avanti is an executive/VIP light transport aircraft , designed by Piaggio Aero and built in Italy . It features twin, wing-mounted turboprop engines, in a pusher configuration . The Avanti seats up to nine people in a pressurized cabin and may be flown by one or two pilots . The design is of three-surface configuration, having both a small forward wing and a conventional tailplane, as well as its main wing, with
158-505: A forward looking infrared camera in an extended nose in B200 King Airs is available. Other modifications available are to convert standard 200 Series King Airs to configurations equivalent to the Model 1300 or Model 200C and B200C King Airs; and to modify B300s (typically delivered with an eight-seat corporate interior) to allow more passengers and baggage to be carried. The 6,000th King Air
237-774: A 100 n mile (185 km; 115 mile) flight to on-station; low-altitude surveillance sortie for 7 hours 20 minutes; and return to base with 45 minutes' fuel reserve. By early 2010, Hawker Beechcraft was offering structured programme of upgrades for King Air 350ERISR. Accommodation includes two pilots above an armoured floor; sensor operator at console (port, forward facing) providing on-board analysis; club-four seating in centre section with port side table, satellite telephone and refreshment centre; and lavatory at rear. Four King Air 350CERs (Shadow R1 in RAF service) equipped for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions over Afghanistan were originally ordered for
316-424: A 200T; all 200Ts were Model 200s modified at the factory and given new constructor's numbers. The next model was the Model 200C in 1979, equipped with a large cargo door on the left-hand side of the rear fuselage with an airstair door similar to the Model 200's door built into it. The door opening was 4 ft 4 in (1.33 m) high and 4 ft 4 in (1.33 m) wide, allowing a larger range of items to be loaded into
395-467: A 68 kn (126 km/h) TAS faster cruise and up to 60% shorter time to climb. Direct operating costs are around $ 1,300-1,500 per hour, including a 900 lb (410 kg) average fuel flow per h. At 3,600 h, the first pair of engine overhauls cost $ 500,000-550,000, but second overhauls can cost $ 800,000-1.2 million. By September 2019, second-hand aircraft were priced between $ 3 million for early models to more than $ 4 million for late models. In 2019,
474-536: A King Air 350ER at the 2007 Paris Air Show; and at the Royal International Air Tattoo the following month. Photos of the aircraft, which were modified 2005-built B300, showed visual features of the King Air 350ER including a belly pod, and enlarged engine nacelles compared to the nacelles of standard B300 King Airs. The United States Army has contracted for a number of King Air 300s to be acquired on
553-447: A King Air 350i is US$ 800,000 to US$ 1 million more. By April 2017 sales of the King Air series were in decline with just 12 examples delivered in the first quarter of the year, compared to 26 in the same period of 2016, due to a weak international market for the design. The company expected the annual sales to be about the same as 2016, though, which totaled 106 in that year. By December 2020, nearly 7,600 King Air had been delivered, as
632-524: A belly cargo pod; these were marketed by Beechcraft as a commuter airliner under the designation Model 1300. Customers for this version included Mesa Airlines . The propeller installation changed again in 1992, when Beechcraft started offering the option of having 4-bladed Hartzell or McCauley propellers, or 3-bladed Hartzell propellers; the 3-bladed McCauley propellers were no longer available. From October 1995 Beechcraft offered an updated B200 with Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) avionics , this
711-708: A cockpit including an avionics upgrade, digital pressurisation and an autothrottle ; and a modernised cabin featuring a 10% lower altitude pressure. First introduced in August 2020 and with deliveries expected from the fourth quarter, the model has the same range and weight specifications. The 360 has a maximum range of 1,806 nmi (3,345 km) while the 360ER is said to have a maximum range of 2,539 nmi (4,702 km). Both models were FAA type certified in October 2020, and European Aviation Safety Agency certified in September 2021. In 2023,
790-564: A contract to Beechcraft for 10 modified King Air 260 aircraft to replace the King Air H90-based T-44 Pegasus as its primary multi-engine trainer, with options to purchase up to 64 airframes. Designated as the T-54A Marlin II, the first examples were delivered on April 22, 2024, with deliveries expected to take place until 2026. Beechcraft considered a jet-powered version in the mid-1970s. The first prototype King Air 200
869-1094: A group of investors led by Piero Ferrari became involved in 1998. The 100th aircraft was delivered in October 2005 and the 150th in May 2008. Piaggio reported that, as of October 2010, the Avanti and Avanti II fleets had logged over 500,000 flying hours. An improved Avanti II obtained European and U.S. certification in November 2005. Six months later, 70 planes had been ordered, including 36 by Avantair . Avanti II received type approval for Russia in 2011. The Avanti II featured uprated Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B turboprop engines and flies about 18 km/h (11 mph) faster, with better fuel economy; and an all-new " glass panel " avionics suite from Rockwell Collins reduced cockpit clutter. In addition to heading, attitude and navigation information, flat panel color liquid crystal displays add collision avoidance ( TCAS ), ground proximity ( TAWS ) and real-time graphic weather depiction. The Avanti
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#1732852075562948-564: A high of 30 in 2008, but only two in 2013. In 2014 Piaggio announced development of an updated version, named EVO. It uses new Hartzell composite propellers, with blades of scimitar configuration. Its wings carry new winglets; aerodynamic improvements have been incorporated, and an additional 60-gallon (400 lb) fuel tank option to increase range to 1,770 nautical miles (3,280 kilometres; 2,040 miles). The company predicts improved climb performance, 250 nmi greater range, and 3% reduction in fuel usage. The revised propeller shape, combined with
1027-522: A lower engine speed, promises a 68% reduction in external noise. Avanti EVO type certification was granted by EASA on 28 November 2014, and by the FAA on 6 July 2015. Projected purchase price was $ 7.4 million in 2014. By 2021 the equipped price was $ 7.695 million. The first EVO was delivered in April 2015, with five more to follow the same year. The Avanti is operated by charter companies and small feeder airlines, and
1106-535: A manned airborne ISR (MAISR) role, the Canadian 350ERs are expected to come with customer unique post-modifications for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Canada intends to use the aircraft to improve the ability of its Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense and the combined defense of North America and support coalition partners overseas. The King Air 360 and 360ER have
1185-459: A mid-set, high-aspect-ratio wing located just behind the cabin. The three-surface design incorporates both a T-tail and a pair of small, fixed forewings having slight anhedral and landing flaps. On the Avanti II these flaps automatically deploy in concert with the main wing flaps. This reduces the load on the tailplane, even when the flaps are deployed, by reducing the pitch-down moment created by
1264-537: A modification for the entire King Air line that entails reworking and extending the entire nose to house a baggage compartment as well as the avionics normally found in the noses of King Air aircraft; while another offers winglets, similar to those of the B300, for 200 series and other 300 series King Airs. In November 2019, Textron Aviation introduced a modified nose holding 12 cu.ft (0.34 m ) or 250 lb (113 kg) of cargo or aircraft equipment. A modification to install
1343-639: A third Model 200 placed into service in order that the two aircraft used would have the same cockpit layout. The two aircraft were replaced by eight civilian-operated 90 Model King Airs in 1995. The King Air B200 entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2004 as a multi-engine trainer, replacing the Jetstream T1 . The Royal Malaysian Air Force operates four B200T variants equipped with tactical command system, master search radar and forward looking infrared system. The United States Navy awarded
1422-678: Is also used as a business aircraft. The fractional aircraft operator Avantair was Piaggio's largest client, with a fleet of 57 Avanti aircraft, before they went bankrupt and the fleet was liquidated. In May 2017, 220 aircraft were in operation around the world, with 89 being first-generation Avanti, 126 second-generation Avanti II and 6 Avanti EVO models. A Piaggio Avanti San Diego -to- Charleston flight in 2003, piloted by Joe Ritchie with co-pilot Steve Fossett , set National Aeronautic Association and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale transcontinental speed records with an average speed of 475.2 knots (880.1 km/h; 546.9 mph), breaking
1501-474: Is based on the King Air 300 with a 3.4 ft (1.0 m) span increase and winglets , a 2.9 ft (0.88 m) fuselage stretch for an over 17 ft (5.2 m) main cabin, long enough for double club seating. By 1988, Beechcraft had begun work on the replacement for the 300, it was introduced in 1990 and initially marketed as the Super King Air 350. It has two extra cabin windows on each side and MTOW
1580-413: Is lower than in conventional turboprop aircraft, because the propellers and engine exhausts are behind the cabin. Piaggio quotes 68 dBA . However, due to the strongly disturbed flow in which the pusher propellers operate, the exterior noise is higher. The exterior noise level and its higher pitched sound has been shown to be the result primarily of the interaction of the turbine engine exhaust flows and
1659-473: Is marketed as being faster than other turboprops and many midsized jets, with cost efficiency as much as 40 percent better than market-competing jets, as a result of less drag and a lower fuel burn rate. Powered by the same Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 engines as the Beech Super King Air 200 , the Avanti II is 100 knots (190 km/h) faster than that model. Flying magazine judged the Avanti to be
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#17328520755621738-590: Is reported to have good fuel efficiency relative to small turbojets flying in the same speed and altitude range. Flight International stated: "The Avanti has no direct turboprop competitors, its closest jet rivals are the Raytheon Premier I and the Cessna Citation CJ2+ ;... Piaggio says low-drag laminar flow is maintained to around 50% of the wing chord, compared with around 20–25% for conventional tractor turboprops where propeller wash disturbs
1817-549: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on November 16, 2007 and by the end of 2009, 97 B200GTs had been delivered. Hawker Beechcraft has elected to use new constructor's number prefixes for the B200GT and B200CGT; B200GTs are being built with the prefix "BY" and B200CGTs with the prefix "BZ". In 2014 Beechcraft announced the availability of an option (available at manufacture and for existing aircraft) to increase
1896-533: The Paris Air Show that it was developing the King Air 350ER version of the B300, an equivalent to the earlier Model 200T and B200Ts of the 200 series. Changes include an increase of MTOW to 16,500 lb (7,430 kg), provision for surveillance equipment in a belly pod, the landing gear of the Beechcraft 1900 to handle the increased weight and provide ground clearance for the belly pod, and extra fuel capacity in
1975-698: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) , which were subsequently modified as navigator trainers. Hawker Pacific later leased another three B300s to the Australian Army , replacing B200 and B200C Model King Airs. The RAAF has also utilized King Air 350 Special Mission as an interim replacement for the DHC-4 Caribou transports of No. 38 Squadron . The RAAF now operates 16 aircraft from both No. 32 Squadron and No. 38 Squadron. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force operates nine B300s, designated LR-2, in
2054-575: The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS). The two B200Cs were the first examples delivered in about three years (the most recent B200Cs prior to this were two delivered in early 2006 for use as air ambulances in Scotland ). On May 21, 2007, during the 7th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva , Hawker Beechcraft (as the company was now known) introduced
2133-623: The most popular in history being the Cessna 172 , and most popular in modern history being the Cirrus SR22 and Robinson R44 . Larger light aircraft, such as twin turboprops and very light jets , are often used as business aircraft . Most floatplanes also fall into the category of light aircraft. Beech Super King Air 200 The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin- turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft . The Model 200 and Model 300 series were originally marketed as
2212-569: The reconnaissance and communications roles. The aircraft were delivered between 1998 and 2004 and include the last B300 built without the Pro Line 21 avionics package (c/no. FL-382). The Royal Bahamas Defence Force operates a single B300 on maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties. Beechcraft announced on March 6, 2007 that the Iraqi Air Force had ordered five King Air 350ERs for delivery commencing late in 2007. Hawker Beechcraft exhibited
2291-476: The "Fastest Civilian Turboprop Twin" in 2014, saying "Avanti's speed is pretty much on par with Cessna's M2 , while providing more space and a lower operating cost." First flown in 2013, the P.1HH UAV prototype crashed off Sicily in May 2016 after 100 hours of flight tests; a second prototype flew in July 2017 before two others joined. The first Avanti EVO manufactured at the new $ 150 million factory at Albenga Airport
2370-469: The "Super King Air 300". The B200's airframe was "cleaned up" and more powerful engines (PT6A-60A, rated at 1,050 shp (780 kW)) were installed in redesigned cowlings (known as "pitot cowlings" due to the reshaped engine air intakes), with MTOW increased to 14,000 lb (6,400 kg). A Model 200 (c/no. BB-343) was modified to develop the updated systems to be used on the new model and flew in this configuration on October 6, 1981. The first flight of
2449-538: The "Super King Air" family; the "Super" designation was dropped in 1996. They form the King Air line together with the King Air Model 90 and 100 series . Beechcraft currently offers the 250 (design. B200GT ) and the larger 350i (B300 ) models. The 350ER (B300CER ) is available to government, military and commercial customers for special mission operations such as aerial survey, air ambulance , flight inspection and surveillance. The Beechcraft 1900 regional airliner
Piaggio P.180 Avanti - Misplaced Pages Continue
2528-552: The 680 shp (510 kW) engines of the Model A100 then in production, and a wing of increased span and extra fuel capacity. Overall, the 200 was 3 ft 10 in (1.17 m) longer than the A100, with wingspan 4 ft 3 in (1.29 m) greater, containing 60 US gallons (230 L) more fuel. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) was increased by 1,000 lb (450 kg). After protracted development including extensive wind tunnel testing of
2607-624: The Avanti design. Beginning in 1983, Gates Learjet partnered with Piaggio to develop a fuselage for the new aircraft (referred to as Gates Piaggio GP-180 ). Learjet's design influence can be seen in the steeply raked windshield and the two large ventral delta fins under the tail. At high angles of attack these delta fins provide a nose-down pitching moment and help to avoid a potential stall, and they increase stability in flight by damping yaw and Dutch roll . Gates Learjet's financial problems ended their collaboration in January 1986, but Piaggio continued
2686-470: The King Air 200 series with the 260, with deliveries expected in early 2021. The model has an improved autothrottle , a Multi-Scan weather radar , a range of 1,720 nmi (3,190 km) and a top cruise speed of 310 kn (570 km/h) with up to nine passengers. The type was FAA certified in March 2021, and European Aviation Safety Agency type certified in September 2021. In 2023, its equipped price
2765-499: The King Air 350i price was US$ 7.755M, and US$ 8.8M for the King Air 350iER. One special Super King Air B300C variant was built for the Swiss Air Force , with a modified belly to allow for aerial photography and a large observation window in the right side aft fuselage; and given a c/no. with a different prefix to other B300Cs. The Hawker Pacific aviation company of Australia purchased eight B300s between 2003 and 2005 for lease to
2844-486: The MTOW of the B200GT from 12,500 pounds (5,700 kg) to 13,420 pounds (6,090 kg), marketed as the King Air 250EP (for E xtra P ayload). The upgrade puts the 250EP into the same weight class as the King Air 350, necessitating various system changes to meet certification requirements and a special rating for pilots. In 2019, the 250 unit cost was US$ 6.61M (~$ 7.77 million in 2023). On December 2, 2020, Textron updated
2923-490: The Model 200 entered production. This updated and improved version was the Model B200, which entered production in 1981. It was fitted with PT6A-42 engines, still rated at 850 shp (630 kW), but with improvements that resulted in greater aircraft performance. Other changes included increased maximum pressurization to 6.5 psi (450 hPa) differential and changes to the cockpit layout. The Model 200C gave way to
3002-614: The Model B200C the same year, with the first Model B200T and Model B200CT being modified from a B200 and B200C respectively, the following year. Commencing in 1984 the B200, B200C and their derivatives were fitted with a revised landing gear retraction mechanism, actuated by hydraulic rams powered by an electric pump installed in the LH wing. This replaced the earlier electro-mechanical retraction system of gearboxes, driveshafts and chains and sprockets that
3081-464: The Model B200GT updated version of the B200. The B200GT is fitted with a new model of PT6 engine developed specifically for it by Pratt & Whitney Canada ; while still rated at 850 shp (630 kW) the new PT6A-52 develops maximum power to an even higher altitude than the −42 it replaces, thus further improving aircraft performance. The B200GT and B200CGT with large cargo door were certified by
3160-472: The P1HH HammerHead certification completion and at least one system (two aircraft and one ground station) acquisition; and €96 million for logistics support. While the deals should be approved later, two aircraft had been delivered so far in 2019, and two more remain in the backlog. Three non-binding expressions of interest to buy the aircraft business had been received, 10 for the engine business and 26 for
3239-571: The RAF and later increased to six in July 2013. Four more King Air 350s replaced the Royal Navy 's Jetstream T2 observer trainers in 2011 and were designated Avenger T1. On October 3, 2018 the US State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale of three King Air 350ERs to the Government of Canada for an estimated cost of US$ 300 million (~$ 359 million in 2023). Intended to for
Piaggio P.180 Avanti - Misplaced Pages Continue
3318-512: The RC-12 Guardrail series of aircraft for military intelligence missions. The Canadian Forces Air Command took delivery of two second-hand early-production Model 200 Super King Airs leased from Awood Air in 1990. These were given the designation CT-145 under the CF's identification system and were used as multi-engine trainers, replacing Douglas C-47s . One was subsequently returned to the lessor and
3397-507: The U.S. armed forces. The 200 received civil certification in December 1973 and the first civil delivery took place in February 1974. In 1976, Beechcraft developed the Model 200T, a version configured for aerial surveying or reconnaissance . The prototype was created by modifying a Model 200 aircraft, constructor's number (c/no.) BB-186; the modifications included changes to the belly aft of
3476-655: The UAE and the Italian Ministry of Defence €766 million support for the P.2HH program was frozen as populist coalition partner Five Star Movement prioritized social programmes over defence spending. On 21 June 2019, the Italian government committed to €716 million in orders to make the business more attractive to a potential buyer: €260 million from the defence ministry for nine new Avanti Evos, plus an upgrade of 19 earlier aircraft; €200 million for engine maintenance; €160 million for
3555-559: The United States in 1980 and 1981, conducted by Professor Jan Roskam from the University of Kansas (using Wichita State University 's wind tunnel and Boeing 's transonic wind tunnel in Seattle) along with Professor Gerald Gregorek at Ohio State University (using OSU's 2D pressure wind tunnel). Piaggio's chief engineer, Alessandro Mazzoni [ it ] , filed in 1982 to patent
3634-541: The airflow over the wing... specific air range at high altitude is 3.4 km/kg (0.83 nmi/lb) compared with around 2 km/kg (0.49 nmi/lb) for current jets or 2.7 km/kg (0.66 nmi/lb) for other turboprops." By this estimate, fuel efficiency is 70% better than comparable jet aircraft, although this greater efficiency is achieved only at a relatively slow 315 KTAS and FL410. P.180 Avanti II Specifications now show slightly lower numbers for specific range of 3.1 km/kg (0.76 nmi/lb). Interior noise
3713-444: The cabin, and the new model was popularly outfitted as an air ambulance . The 200C fuselage was a new design and not a modification of the Model 200 fuselage. The Model A200C military version was developed concurrently. In 1981, a Model 200C (c/no. BL-24) was modified as the Model 200CT, fitted with the same wingtip fuel tanks as installed on Model 200Ts; there was only one 200CT, but it led to other aircraft after an updated version of
3792-648: The crash of a German-registered Avanti into the ocean near Limón , Costa Rica . The flight had departed Palenque, Mexico . Data from Aviation Week General characteristics Performance Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Light aircraft A light aircraft is an aircraft that has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) or less. Light aircraft are used as utility aircraft commercially for small-scale passenger and freight transport ; for sightseeing, photography, cropdusting , and other so-called aerial work roles of civil aviation ; for
3871-458: The deployment of the main wing flaps. This in turn allows the size of both the tailplane and the main wing to be reduced. This particular three-lifting-surface configuration was patented in 1982. The forward wing's angle of incidence is slightly greater than that of the main wing, so that it stalls before the main wing, producing an automatic nose-down effect prior to the onset of main-wing stall; its five-degree anhedral (negative dihedral) keeps
3950-502: The design (especially of the T-tail which was tunnel-tested for 375 hours), the first prototype flew for the first time on October 27, 1972; a second prototype took to the air on December 15 the same year. Three production aircraft were also built in 1972 and delivered to the U.S. Army; these three were designated Model A100-1s by Beechcraft and were given the military designation RU-21J; the first of some 400 T-tail King Airs to be ordered by
4029-532: The eight seats fitted. Deliveries commenced in December 2009. The cabin sound level is reduced by 4 dB to 78-dB due to better insulation. More than 440 350i have been delivered in less than ten years. On a one hour trip, it is 10-15 min slower than a jet while burning 700–900 lb (320–410 kg) less fuel. It cruises at 292 kn (541 km/h) TAS at FL350 while burning 503 lb (228 kg) per h, and can reach 312 kn (578 km/h) TAS at FL240. The $ 1.8 million Blackhawk PT6A-67A upgrade offers
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#17328520755624108-505: The engine nacelles to increase range (because of the B300s winglets, it was unfeasible to fit wingtip fuel tanks as found on the 200T and B200T). On November 11, 2007, Hawker Beechcraft announced that the 350ER had been certified by the FAA. In October 2008, Beechcraft announced updated versions of the B300 series, the King Air 350i, with improvements to the passenger cabin. The manufacturer claims that
4187-625: The equipped price was $ 9.255M for the 360 and $ 9.76M for the 360ER. Numerous aftermarket modifications and upgrades are available for 200 and 300 Series King Airs. One company offers a Wing Front Spar Reinforcement Kit for 200 Series aircraft and a modification to replace the electro-mechanical landing gear retraction system of early-build aircraft with an electro-hydraulic system. Raisbeck Engineering out of Seattle, WA offers Enhanced Performance Leading Edges, Nacelle Wing Lockers, Ram Air Recovery System, Quiet Turbofan Propellers, High Flotation Gear Doors and Dual Aft Body Strakes. Another company offers
4266-681: The five-bladed pusher propellers (est. +9 dB). On takeoff, the Avanti has been measured at 81.9 dBA sideline noise level, slightly lower than the Beechcraft King Air at 82.8 dBA. This is below FAA stage-3 noise limits , which set a maximum of 89 EPNdB for takeoff. However, the P.180 has been the subject of noise complaints at airports, such as Aspen–Pitkin County Airport in Colorado, as well as Naples Municipal Airport , Florida , where that airport authority determined that it
4345-448: The fleet surpassed 62 million flight hours in 56 years. In roughly chronological order, the 200 and 300 Series King Air variants and production numbers are: The most widespread turboprop business aircraft in the world, over 7,300 King Airs and Super King Airs have been delivered by May 2018, surpassing 60 million flight hours in commercial, military and special mission roles. They are operated in more than 94 countries. Almost 53% of
4424-546: The main wing spars passing behind the passenger cabin area. The FAI lists it as the fastest propeller-driven aircraft with speed of 927.4 km/h (576.3 mph; 500.8 kn). A 1980s wave of new-generation planes, developed to appeal to Fortune 500 clients, included Piaggio's Avanti and Beech Aircraft Corp.'s very similar Starship . Engineering studies for the airplane that would eventually be named Avanti began in 1979 and designs were tested in wind tunnels in Italy and
4503-505: The noise level and overall comfort of the King Air 350i, 350iER, 350iC and 350iCER are now competitive with those of light jets. The cabin of the B300 series has been updated with controllers in the passenger seat armrests that dim the LED lights, darken the windows and control an iPod dock and a high-definition video monitor. The cabin also includes Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, AC electrical receptacles and fold-out tables for each passenger in
4582-633: The personal-use aspect of general aviation ; and in certain aspects of military aviation . Examples of aircraft that are at the maximum gross takeoff weight for this category include the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Beechcraft B200 Super King Air . Uses include aerial surveying, such as monitoring pipelines, light cargo operations, such as "feeding" cargo hubs, and passenger operations. Light aircraft are used for marketing purposes, such as banner towing and skywriting , and flight instruction . The majority of personal aircraft are light aircraft,
4661-528: The previous Los Angeles to New York turboprop record of 395.21 knots set by Chuck Yeager in 1986 in a Piper Cheyenne 400LS . Elapsed time for the Avanti's coast-to-coast trip was 3:51:52. [REDACTED] Bulgaria [REDACTED] Canada [REDACTED] Italy [REDACTED] Poland [REDACTED] Russia [REDACTED] United Arab Emirates On 21 October 2022, Gold's Gym owner Rainer Schaller , his wife, his two children, and two others were killed in
4740-465: The project, and the first prototype flew on 23 September 1986. The P.180 Avanti received Italian certification on 7 March 1990 and American certification was obtained on 2 October 1990. The first 12 fuselages were manufactured in Wichita, Kansas , with H & H Parts and Plessey Midwest, then flown to Italy for final assembly. Avanti Aviation Wichita ran out of money in 1994; the project languished until
4819-479: The prototype Model 300 took place on September 3, 1983 and deliveries commenced the following year. Because not all nations would then allow an aircraft of this type to be certified at an MTOW greater than 12,500 lb (5,700 kg), the Model 300LW was also developed at the same time, limited to the lower MTOW. Nineteen examples of a special version of the Model 300 were delivered to the FAA in 1987 and 1988. The first two were conversions of standard Model 300s, while
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#17328520755624898-461: The remaining 17 were purpose-built; since they were delivered the FAA has used the fleet to check the extensive network of navaids in the United States. 200 and 300 Series King Airs have been used for similar duties in several other countries or regions, including Australia, Germany, Hong Kong (a B200C used for navaid calibration was the first aircraft to land at the then-new Chek Lap Kok Airport in 1996 ), Norway, Sweden and Taiwan. The King Air 350
4977-464: The remaining 80%. Due to the unusual fuselage shape, the mid-cabin is considerably wider than the cockpit . The front and rear airfoils are custom sections designed by Jerry Gregorek of Ohio State University 's Aeronautical and Astronautical Research Laboratory to achieve a drag-reducing 50% laminar flow at cruise. The company claims the overall design of the P.180 Avanti II enables the wing to be 34% smaller than on conventional aircraft. The P.180
5056-697: The second-hand market and modified as ISTAR aircraft for use by Task Force ODIN in operational theaters. As of late 2010, 11 such aircraft are registered to the U.S. Army. Two Canadian-registered and owned King Air 300s, configured in the same manner have also been contracted for. Extended range special mission version for surveillance and reconnaissance operations, introduced at the Paris Air Show in June 2005. Features engine nacelle fuel tanks, heavy duty landing gear and increased maximum take-off weight of 7,484 kg (16,500 lb). Typical mission profile involves
5135-428: The stream wash interference clear of the engine inlets, the main wing and the tailplane. The cabin cross-section varies continuously along the length of the aircraft; the shape approximates an NACA airfoil section, and the slowly changing curve helps prolong laminar flow on the front of the fuselage. Piaggio claims that the fuselage contributes up to 20% of the Avanti's total lift, with the front and rear wing providing
5214-427: The unusually designed Beechcraft Starship but only 53 were produced, ending in 1995, while the King Air continues to sell. More than 1,800 King Air 200 series have been delivered during more than 40 years of production. In early 2017 a used 2011 model King Air 250 was worth US$ 3 million and a late 2015 to early 2016 model was worth US$ 5 million, with an annual utilization estimated at 240 hours and 216 cycles, while
5293-657: The whole company. The official tender for the sale of Piaggio Aerospace was to start after the summer of 2019. By December 2020, the fleet surpassed one million flight hours. 246 aircraft have been produced, of which 213 are in service: 96 in Europe, 95 in the Americas, 18 in Asia-Pacific, and four in Africa and the Middle East. The Avanti's counter-rotating turboprop engines are placed on
5372-420: The wing to allow photography with a vertical camera, provision for a surveillance radar in a pod under the fuselage, dome-shaped windows on the sides of the rear fuselage to allow observation directly below the aircraft by occupants, and a 50-US-gallon (190 L) usable capacity fuel tank on each wingtip to increase the aircraft's range. Customers could specify any combination of these modifications when ordering
5451-754: Was $ 7.78M. The United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps have all flown versions of the Super King Air 200. As noted above some have been "off-the-shelf" civil versions, but the majority have been purpose-built for the military and were treated by Beechcraft and the FAA as a separate series, the A200 series. A significant minority of military versions are known purely by their military designations, with no FAA model designations being assigned to them, although they do have basically equivalent civilian model counterparts. The military designation varies from service to service, but most are called C-12 Huron or UC-12. These are used for personnel transport. The Army also operates
5530-482: Was a throwback to the Twin Bonanza . At the same time the propellers fitted were changed from 3-bladed Hartzells to 3-bladed McCauleys. Forty-seven B200Cs built that year were delivered to the U.S. military, with dozens more of a similar standard ordered in subsequent years, but not given official civil model designations. A total of 14 B200s were produced in 1989 and 1990 in a 13-seat high density configuration with
5609-698: Was added as standard equipment on all B300s. In October 2003, Beechcraft announced that it would deliver future B300 and B300C King Airs with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite. The B300 model is still in production today (now marketed simply as the "King Air 350", the "Super" being dropped in 1996 as mentioned earlier), while the B300C is available for order; four were built in 2007 and Hawker Beechcraft announced on November 11, 2007 that it would deliver five to Saudi Arabia in 2008 for use as air ambulances. On June 13, 2005, Beechcraft announced at
5688-467: Was delivered in 2016, one year after moving production from its previous Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport plant. On 22 November 2018, Piaggio Aerospace entered receivership after declaring itself insolvent as its restructuring plan failed. After the financial crisis of 2007–2008 , a key US fractional customer went bankrupt and P.180 Evo sales dropped from a 2008 peak of 30 deliveries to just three in 2018. By November 2018, no P.1HHs were delivered to
5767-498: Was delivered on January 24, 2005. Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) operates 34 King Air B200/B200C and B300C. Retired military King Airs have entered civil service with United States law enforcement and other government organizations such as State Police and Sheriff Departments; others are used by the Missionary Aviation Fellowship and subsidiary organisations. It was intended to be replaced by
5846-593: Was derived from the Model B200 King Air. The Super King Air family has been in continuous production since 1974, the longest production run of any civilian turboprop aircraft in its class. It outlasted all of its previous competitors, and even its intended replacement, the Model 2000 Starship . The only other pressurized multiengine turboprop utility aircraft now in production is the Piaggio P.180 Avanti . The Model 200
5925-577: Was increased again to 15,000 lb (6,800 kg); as the same regulatory situation that led to the development of the 300LW still existed, that model continued to be produced until 1994. Like the 200 and B200 before it, a version with a large cargo door was developed, the Model B300C marketed as the "Super King Air 350C". The first deliveries of this model also took place in 1990. In 1998, the UltraQuiet active noise canceling system, made by Elliott Aviation,
6004-487: Was marketed as the "B200SE Super King Air" (for Special Edition). The following year the "Super" name was dropped from all marketing and advertising. In October 2003, Beechcraft announced another avionics upgrade for the B200, the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 suite. The B200 remains in production, with a total of 13 built in 2009. The B200C is available for order; in January 2009 two B200Cs were delivered to
6083-521: Was originally conceived as the Model 101 in 1969, and was a development of the Model 100 King Air. The Model 200 had essentially the same fuselage as the Model 100, with changes to the rear fuselage to accommodate a new T-tail (in place of the 100's conventional tail with all-moving trimmable horizontal stabilizer) and structural changes to allow higher maximum pressurization. Apart from the T-tail, other changes included Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 A-41 engines rated at 850 shp (630 kW) instead of
6162-448: Was re-engined with Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofans in overwing nacelles. Given the designation PD 290 (for Preliminary Design), the aircraft was flown in this configuration for the first time on March 12, 1975. Beech did not pursue production, and the last flight was made on September 30, 1977. The 200 series proved so popular that Beechcraft began work on a successor, with the Beechcraft designation Model 300 and marketed as
6241-516: Was the noisiest aircraft using the facility. Alan Parker, chairman of the Naples Municipal Airport Authority's technical committee, described the Avanti as "irritating loud" and compared the high-pitched sound to "fingernails on a chalkboard". The Piaggio P.180 Avanti has a sea-level standard-day maximum-gross-weight takeoff distance of 869 m (2,851 ft) and a landing roll of 872 m (2,861 ft). Deliveries were at
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