Pipistrel Velis Electro

Single Piston

The Piaggio P.180 Avanti is the only production aircraft in the world to combine a canard foreplane, mid-mounted main wing, and pusher turboprops in a three-surface configuration that looks more science fiction than business aviation. Built by Italy's Piaggio Aerospace since 1990, this twin-turboprop executive transport achieves jet-like cruise speeds of 400 knots while burning 30 percent less fuel than comparable light jets, a performance envelope that earned it the nickname "the Ferrari of the skies." The Avanti's unconventional layout places two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines in pusher configuration at the rear of the fuselage, driving five-blade scimitar propellers that operate behind the passenger cabin for exceptional quietness. The forward canard and main wing share lift generation, allowing a smaller, lighter main wing and contributing to the aircraft's remarkable efficiency. With a maximum operating speed of 260 knots IAS and a ceiling of 41,000 feet, the Avanti cruises in the flight levels typically reserved for jets, yet retains turboprop economics and the ability to operate from shorter runways. The latest Avanti Evo variant, certified in 2015, features improved Pratt & Whitney PT6A-66B engines and advanced Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. Its stand-up cabin accommodates up to nine passengers in executive configuration with a flat floor and 5.74-foot cabin height, dimensions that rival many midsize jets. The type has found favor with fractional operators, air ambulance services, and corporate flight departments seeking speed without sacrificing efficiency. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.