NBAA: Piaggio increases Avanti range for Chinese deal

The deal was signed at NBAA in Las Vegas, and heralds the introduction of a new version of the Avanti adapted for extended range.
Thanks to the installation of a permanent additional tank , which replaces only half of a closet in the toilet and with no changes to the airframe, the fuel capacity of the iconic aircraft grows from 2,826 lb to 3,226 lb.
This alteration allows the fastest business turboprop in world to increase its maximum range to 1,720 nm (IFR – FAA reserves, 4 Passengers), enabling a comfortable nonstop flight from Beijing to Hainan or Hanoi or, from Las Vegas to Jacksonville, Charlotte, Cancun or Toronto .
The extended range P.180 Avanti IIs will be delivered in Beijing starting from March 2014 and will be operated in China following Piaggio Aero’s CAAC certification that was obtained in 2011.
At the contract signing ceremony Giuliano Felten, Piaggio Aero deputy general manager and chief commercial officer said: “We are very proud of this new extended range variant of our aircraft, which provides maximum flexibility for the Avanti II operators, who are now able to fly longer missions with an unbeatable level of comfort and speed.