Italian general aviation company Vulcanair is assembling the first A-Viator twin-engined turboprop and has earmarked first delivery of the 330hp (245kW) Rolls-Royce 250 B17C-powered aircraft to an unnamed Italian operator early next year.
The 11-seat Viator is an upgraded version of the AP68TP-600 Viator originally manufactured by Partenavia, the company whose assets Vulcanair bought in 1998.
“We have sold one aircraft to date and are holding discussions for the sale of a further eight, which we hope to close early next year,” says Vulcanair sales director Remo de Feo. “Our aim is to produce eight to 10 a year,” he adds.
The Casoria, Naples-based company is developing a shorter version of the A-Viator powered by a Thielert Aircraft Engines 350hp V8 Centurion 4.0 powerplant targeted at “cost-conscious operators” mainly in Africa and Asia markets.
“We believe that a diesel version will be very popular within these markets where avgas is costlier and not as plentiful as in many other parts of the world,” says de Feo. The aircraft is scheduled for certification and fiest deliveries at the end of 2008.
Plans to offer a diesel-fuelled P68 Viator utility aircraft have, been halted due to a “lack of support from [French] engine developer SMA”, says de Feo.
“The Textron Lycoming version of the P68 continues to sell well and we had hoped to have a similar success with the 230hp SMA 305-230 diesel engine. But we have been forced to cancel the programme as we could not get the aircraft certificated due to a number of technical issues,” he says.
Vulcanair is, meanwhile, set to begin deliveries at the end of the year of its new Vr piston twin, a lighter version of the P68 with retractable landing gear, The 200hp Lycoming IO360-powered aircraft is targeted at training schools and owner-flyers, says de Feo.
Related content
- Forecasts 2007: Business aviation is riding high on a wave of enthusiasm that shows no sign of waning in 2007
- Vulcanair owners set up company to target avionics market
Source: Flight International
