Genoa
First Piaggio Avanti II Aircraft Delivered to Swiss Customer

Genoa, Italy (January 4, 2006) - Piaggio Aero Industries delivered its first P.180 Avanti II aircraft to a private Swiss customer on December 23, 2005. The aircraft (serial number 105) is configured for seven passengers and will enter service this month, providing corporate and private flights from Lugano Agno Airport, located in southeast Switzerland.

“We are delighted to deliver the first Avanti II into Switzerland as we ring in the New Year,” said Piaggio Aero CEO Jose di Mase. “It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication by our designers and engineers in Genoa, and close collaboration with our partners, including the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).”
The Avanti II’s unique operating characteristics enable the company to provide flexible services from the Lugano Airport, which has a 3,800 ft. long runway at 915 ft. elevation that requires a steep approach procedure.

The P.180 Avanti II, certificated by EASA in October 2005, boasts enhanced digital avionics and increased payload and cabin comfort. Uprated PT6-66B engines will provide slightly higher cruise speeds when introduced in production later in 2006. The Avanti II flightdeck features Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line 21 avionics with three 10” x 8” liquid crystal adaptive flight displays, an FMS 3000 flight management system and the AHS 3000 attitude heading reference system. FAA validation of the EASA Type Certificate for the Avanti II is expected soon.