Market research suggests Italian manufacturer is set to produce new aircraft to meet corporate challenge
Market researcher Forecast International is conducting an online survey on behalf of an unidentified “world-ranked aircraft manufacturer” to evaluate the market for a family of new light and medium business jets that bear a striking resemblance to Piaggio’s P180 Avanti twin-turboprop.
Piaggio declines to comment on whether it commissioned the market study, describing the resemblance as “circumstantial”, but the Italian manufacturer has previously said it is studying a possible family of jets.
“Piaggio is looking at future possible products, we’ve been saying that for years, but there has been no decision,” says Massimo Isidori, vice-president aircraft sales, Europe and the Middle East. “When we’re ready we’ll make the proper announcement.”
Piaggio is believed to have been studying for almost two years a series of new aircraft, of which the eight-passenger “Light-Medium jet” in the online survey could be the first model, with initial negotiations under way with potential suppliers for around 18 months.
The Forecast study details the baseline Light-Medium variant, which would have a range of 4,260km (2,300nm) and would be priced at under $11 million. It would compete with the Cessna Citation XLS and Bombardier Learjet 45XR, offering a bigger cabin, faster cruise speeds, shorter climb time and field length and longer range. The study also details a stretched 10-passenger “Medium jet” derivative to compete with the Citation Sovereign and Hawker 800XP.
The survey also refers to a “Light” six- to nine-passenger version. All three variants would have 80% commonality. Engines for the Light-Medium and Medium jets are in the 4,600lb-thrust (20kN) class and would be the Honeywell TFE731-50/60 or the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300. The proposed Light model could be powered by other versions of the TFE731 or the PW500 and PW600 range.
Specifications | ||
| Light-Medium | Medium |
Length (m) | 18.2 | 20.2 |
Wingspan m) | 17.6 | 17.6 |
Height (m) | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Cabin height (m) | 1.88 | 1.88 |
Cabin width (m) | 2.01 | 2.01 |
Passengers | 8 | 10 |
MTOW (kg) | 10,900 | 13,600 |
Ceiling altitude (ft) | 47,000 | 47,000 |
IFR range (km) | 4,260 | 5,550 |
Max speed (kt/Mach) | 315/0.8 | 315/0.8 |
Price ($m) | <11 | <13.5 |
MTOW=maximum take-off weight | ||
GRAHAM WARWICK/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
