Avanti II Impressions

[On Your Six]

I've seen the Avantair fleet grow quite a bit over the last few months - I see them flying around the Tri-State area all the time and I hear them on the radio. I understand that the Avanti II is now coming on board. I can't distinguish the Avanti from the Avanti II visually but I hear it is a big improvement - but I am still unclear about it. So, for those Avantair pilots who are now flying it or who have seen it upclose I have a few questions:

1. With the Pro Line 21, how is the Avanti II to fly? Big improvement? Are pilots being cross-trained now?

2. What is the performance difference between the Avanti and Avanti II? Any change?

3. Any interior enhancements for the pax?

4. What's the updated Avanti II delivery schedule for Avantair through the end of the year and 2007?

5. Lastly, any visual clues to distinguish the Avanti II from the original when you see one on the ramp?

Given the market acceptance of the original Avanti, I would expect the enhanced version should sell even better.

 

[C425Driver]

OYS,

1. The first batch of pilots has just been cross-trained in the Avanti II. Personally, I like the Proline 21 and Collins FMS much better than the steam guages and the Universal FMS - I think the instrument scan got easier and there is more useful information displayed at all times.

2. No performance changes yet. Piaggio is still in the process of certifying the B-model engines on the Avanti, so all the II's still have the same engines that were installed on the classics. I've heard the B-engines should start showing up sometime in 2007.

3. The interior configuration is the same, but there have been upgrades to the seats, closet, and refreshment center. Overall a much better interior and the pax like the differences. Also, the window shades work on the II! Anyone who has spent time in a classic Avanti know what a pain the butt the old window shades are!

4. We should have 6 or 7 II's on the property by the end of 2006 and 15 by June 2007. I haven't heard the numbers for the second half of 2007 but we still have about 50 outstanding firm orders for Piaggios so we'll be getting them for a long time.

5. If you see a II on the ramp from a distance it is not easy to distinguish from a classic. Once you get up close you will see that it says 'Avanti II' just behind the main door (not being a smart a$$ - that's the most visible difference between the two from the outside). Also, on the lower left hand side of the nose, the pitot-tube is larger than the other pitot tube to incorporate a tat probe for the air data system. The other way to distinguish a II is to look in the cockpit windows and check for the glass panel.

I'm still getting used to the Proline 21 but I like it a lot. Can't wait until the II's outnumber the classics in our fleet!

C425Driver