Three lifting surfaces, two pusher turboprops and a cabin close to stand-up height make the P.180 Avanti the most recognizable business aircraft on any ramp. Piaggio designed it to fly at light jet speeds on turboprop fuel burn, and it does: around 380 KTAS at FL380 on roughly 600 lb of fuel an hour.
About 250 have been built since certification in 1990. Corporate flight departments, charter operators, air ambulance providers and the Italian armed forces fly the type, and under Baykar ownership since 2025 it is back in active production as the Avanti EVO, with a modernized Avanti NX in development.
Piaggio P.180 Avanti Specifications
| Manufacturer | Baykar Piaggio Aerospace (Villanova d’Albenga, Italy); formerly Piaggio Aero Industries |
| Type | Twin pusher turboprop business aircraft, three lifting surfaces |
| First flight | 23 September 1986 |
| Certification | Italian certification 7 March 1990; FAA 2 October 1990. Avanti II certified by EASA in 2005 and the FAA in 2006 (EASA TCDS A.059) |
| Production status | Active (Avanti EVO); Avanti NX in development |
| Units built | Approximately 250, with 215 flying in July 2024 |
| Engines | 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B, 850 shp each, flat rated to ISA+28°C (Avanti II and EVO); PT6A-66 on the original Avanti |
| Propellers | Five-blade pusher; Hartzell scimitar composite blades on the EVO |
| Max range | 1,470nm (2,722km); up to about 1,800nm with the EVO optional auxiliary tank |
| Cruise speed | 400 KTAS max cruise (402 KTAS EVO); about 300 KTAS long range cruise at FL410 |
| Max operating altitude | 41,000ft |
| Takeoff distance | 3,262ft over a 50ft obstacle, sea level, MTOW |
| Landing distance | Approximately 3,370ft (Avanti EVO published figure) |
| Max takeoff weight (MTOW) | 12,100 lb (5,488 kg) |
| Wingspan | 46ft 1in (14.05m) |
| Length | 47ft 3in (14.40m) |
| Height | 13ft 1in (3.99m) |
| Cabin | 17ft 6in long, 6ft 1in wide, 5ft 9in high |
| Passenger capacity | 6 to 7 typical executive / 9 max |
| Crew | 1 or 2 pilots (certified for single-pilot operation) |
| Price (new) | Approximately $7.7 million (Avanti EVO, 2020 reference) |
| Operating cost | Approximately $1,200/hr total variable (2019 estimate); annual fixed costs near $400,000 |
Piaggio P.180 Avanti History and Overview
Development and Background
Piaggio chief engineer Alessandro Mazzoni patented the three-surface layout in 1982. Gates Learjet joined in 1983 to design the fuselage of what was then the GP-180, and its influence survives in the steeply raked windshield and the twin ventral delta fins under the tail.
Learjet’s financial problems ended the partnership in January 1986 and Piaggio carried on alone. The prototype flew on 23 September 1986, Italian certification followed on 7 March 1990 and the FAA certified the type on 2 October 1990.
Early sales were slow. The first 12 fuselages were built in Wichita, Kansas, and the US distribution venture ran out of money in 1994 before investors led by Piero Ferrari revived the program in 1998. The 100th Avanti was delivered in October 2005 and the 150th in May 2008.
Design and Performance
The forward wing is not a canard in the Beechcraft Starship sense. Pitch control stays with a conventional elevator on the T-tail, while the fixed, flapped foreplane carries lift and lets the main wing sit aft of the cabin so its spars never cross the passenger space.
Mounting the PT6As behind the main wing puts propeller noise aft of the cabin and leaves the wing ahead of the nacelles aerodynamically clean. Cabin cross-section is the payoff: 6ft 1in of width in an aircraft that cruises at 400 KTAS in the low 30s.
The airframe combines aluminum structure with composite components, and the type is certified for single-pilot operation. Takeoff and landing speeds sit closer to a light jet than to a King Air, which shapes both runway planning and tire speed ratings.
Variants
- P.180 Avanti: Original production version, certified in 1990. PT6A-66 engines and Collins Pro Line II avionics.
- P.180 Avanti II: Certified by EASA in 2005 and the FAA in 2006. Uprated PT6A-66B engines, a Pro Line 21 glass cockpit and better fuel economy. The largest fleet in service, with 121 flying in 2024.
- P.180 Avanti EVO: Launched at EBACE in May 2014 and built under the Avanti II model designation. Adds main wing winglets, Hartzell five-blade scimitar propellers, lower cabin and ramp noise and an optional auxiliary fuel tank.
- P.180 Avanti NX: Unveiled in February 2026 with new avionics, cabin and systems. The launch order for two aircraft was announced at AERO Friedrichshafen in April 2026, in an executive layout convertible for air ambulance work.
Operators
Avantair built the largest P.180 fleet in the world, 56 aircraft by mid-2012, before the fractional provider collapsed in 2013. The Italian Air Force, Army and Navy all fly the type on liaison and transport duties.
Civil operators include corporate flight departments, charter companies and owner-pilots, mostly in Europe and the United States. Air ambulance operators value the cabin width for stretcher installations.
Current Status
Piaggio entered receivership in November 2018 after deliveries fell from a 2008 peak of 30 aircraft to three. Baykar completed its acquisition on 30 June 2025, and the company now trades as Baykar Piaggio Aerospace, building the Avanti EVO at Villanova d’Albenga.
Baykar has named spare parts availability and maintenance support as priorities, and a Turkish operator ordered two EVOs in 2026. The type certificate, EASA TCDS A.059, now sits with Baykar Piaggio Aerospace and covers both the Avanti and Avanti II models.
Piaggio P.180 Avanti Landing Gear and Tires
Landing Gear Configuration
The Avanti uses retractable tricycle gear with a single wheel on each main leg and twin wheels on the nose leg. That makes a four-tyre set per aircraft, all tubeless in the charted fitment.
Goodyear’s application chart lists identical sizes for the Avanti and Avanti II, and the EVO is built under the Avanti II designation. Because touchdown speeds are high for a turboprop, speed rating deserves as much attention as size and ply rating when choosing a casing.
Piaggio P.180 Avanti Tire Specifications
| Nose wheel tire size | 5.00-5 8PR tubeless (twin nose wheels) |
| Main gear tire size | 6.50-10 12PR tubeless |
| Ply rating | 8PR nose / 12PR main |
| Speed rating | 190 mph (Michelin 028-357-0 main); 160 mph on the other listed casings |
| Tire pressure (typical) | Refer to the aircraft maintenance manual |
| Compatible brands | Michelin, Goodyear |
| Part numbers | Michelin 028-357-0 (main), 021-310-0 (nose), 070-310-0 (nose, eligibility to confirm); Goodyear 650T26-2 (main, eligibility to confirm) |
Verify specifications against the aircraft’s Airworthiness Maintenance Manual, Illustrated Parts Catalog and applicable airworthiness directives before ordering. Serial number, variant and modification status can change the tire requirement.
Main Gear Tires
Each main leg carries a single 6.50-10 12PR tubeless tire, so two tires take the main gear share of a 12,100 lb aircraft at jet-like touchdown speeds. Michelin’s Aviator 028-357-0 is listed for the P.180 main gear and carries a 190 mph speed rating.
Goodyear’s Flight Special II 650T26-2 matches the size, ply rating and tubeless construction at 160 mph, but Goodyear charts it for the Piper Cheyenne rather than the Avanti. Confirm P.180 eligibility and the required speed rating in the IPC before fitting it.
Nose Wheel Tire
The twin nose wheels take 5.00-5 8PR tubeless tires. Michelin’s Aviator 021-310-0 is listed for Piaggio nose gear, and the Michelin Air 070-310-0 matches size, ply rating and construction subject to IPC confirmation. Keep both nose tires matched in size and wear so the pair shares load evenly.
Approved and Compatible Brands
The following fitments apply to the P.180 Avanti in the correct size and ply rating:
- Michelin: 028-357-0 (Aviator, 6.50-10 12PR tubeless, 190 mph), main gear
- Goodyear: 650T26-2 (Flight Special II, 6.50-10 12PR tubeless, 160 mph), main gear; confirm eligibility and speed rating against the IPC
- Michelin: 021-310-0 (Aviator, 5.00-5 8PR, 160 mph), nose gear
- Michelin: 070-310-0 (Air, 5.00-5 8PR tubeless, 160 mph), nose gear; confirm eligibility against the IPC
Frequently Asked Questions: Piaggio P.180 Avanti
Is the Piaggio P.180 Avanti still in production?
Yes. Baykar Piaggio Aerospace builds the Avanti EVO at Villanova d’Albenga, and the Avanti NX won its first order in April 2026. Tires for every variant use common sizes and remain readily available.
What are the Piaggio P.180 Avanti specifications?
The Avanti II and EVO use two 850 shp PT6A-66B turboprops, weigh 12,100 lb at MTOW and seat up to nine passengers. They cruise at up to 400 KTAS with a 41,000ft ceiling and 1,470nm range; the full table above covers dimensions and field performance.
What is the range of the Piaggio P.180 Avanti?
Maximum range is about 1,470nm (2,722km), flown at around 300 KTAS at FL410. An EVO with the optional auxiliary tank stretches that to roughly 1,800nm.
What is the Piaggio P.180 Avanti price?
A new Avanti EVO listed at about $7.7 million in 2020. Current asking prices for the Avanti II run from about $2.3 million to $5.2 million, EVOs average near $5.7 million pre-owned, and early Avantis sit around $1 million.
What does the Piaggio P.180 Avanti cost to operate per hour?
Industry estimates put total variable cost at around $1,200 per hour on 2019 figures, with annual fixed costs approaching $400,000. Fuel prices, maintenance program enrollment and utilization move both numbers considerably.
Where can I find a Piaggio P.180 Avanti for sale?
Listings appear on Controller, AvBuyer, JetNet and Trade-A-Plane, and specialist brokers handle much of the off-market trade. Supply is thin, with only a handful of aircraft typically advertised at any time.
What interior options does the Piaggio P.180 Avanti offer?
Most aircraft are configured for six or seven passengers in club seating, with a maximum of nine. Typical fit includes leather seats, fold-out tables, a refreshment center and a fully enclosed aft lavatory, and some EVOs add broadband connectivity.
What is the Piaggio P.180 Avanti landing distance?
Published landing distance for the Avanti EVO is approximately 3,370ft, against a 3,262ft takeoff distance over a 50ft obstacle at sea level. Weight, temperature and runway condition all change the figure.
What tire size does the Piaggio P.180 Avanti use?
Main gear tires are 6.50-10 12PR tubeless and the twin nose wheels take 5.00-5 8PR tubeless. Verify the size against the AMM and IPC for your serial number before ordering.
Which tire brands are approved for the Piaggio P.180 Avanti?
Michelin covers both positions, with the Aviator 028-357-0 on the main gear and the Aviator 021-310-0 on the nose. Goodyear’s 650T26-2 and Michelin’s Air 070-310-0 match size and ply rating but need eligibility confirmed against the IPC.
How much do Piaggio P.180 Avanti tires cost?
Pricing varies by brand, ply rating and speed rating. Higher speed rated main tires cost more than the standard 160 mph casings in the same size, and the aircraft needs four tires for a full set.
What is the tire pressure for the Piaggio P.180 Avanti?
Take inflation pressures from the aircraft maintenance manual for your variant rather than from tire manufacturer data. Rated inflation at rated load is not the same as the aircraft service pressure.
How long do Piaggio P.180 Avanti tires last?
Tire life is counted in landings rather than hours. High touchdown speeds, heavy braking on short runways and hot ramps shorten main tire life, while the twin nose tires usually outlast the mains.
How often should Piaggio P.180 Avanti tires be changed?
Replace a tire when tread reaches the wear limit, when cord is exposed, or when cuts, bulges or flat spots are found at inspection. Nose tires should be changed as a matched pair, and a licensed engineer and the AMM govern the final call.
