We are used to the fact that all modern aircraft look about the same. But among them come across very strange specimens. They usually have a wing of two symmetrical halves, an oblong hull, two or four engines, a clearly recognizable cockpit in front, and a rear tail. But there are exceptions to this rule.
We are going to talk about the Piaggio P.180 Avanti. It is still working and if you are rich the price is reasonable. If not, then place this aircraft on your dream list and test your luck at online slots real money to win your jackpot, and next time play in your private jet.
Piaggio P.180 Avanti
If this business jet were not equipped with propellers, it could easily pass for a landing pod from a spaceship from the future. But he also has propellers, officially called propellers here, “on the wrong side” near a ship or an airship!
After all, we are used to the fact that the propeller is located in front of the aircraft. It is on the nose or on the leading edge of the wing and works in a pulling configuration. It turns out that you can do it in another way: in a push configuration. What’s more, a good number of early aircraft, including the one flown by the Wright brothers in 1903, did just that. Later, such a configuration appeared many times, although it was not widely used and therefore looks unusual today.
Why did the chief engineer of Piaggio, Alessandro Mazzoni, choose such a scheme? Because, in his opinion, in combination with other characteristics of the aircraft, including aerodynamics, it provides greater fuel efficiency than similar jet aircraft and greater speed than propeller-driven competitors.
Due to the fact that the horizontal stabilizers, which are located in the tail section of conventional aircraft, are attached to the nose of the Avanti, this machine somewhat resembles a hammerhead fish.
Since 1986, more than 230 of these aircraft have been produced in various configurations, including medical and patrol. An unmanned version for the military is also in development. But first of all, this is a private jet with a capacity of 7-9 people. The flight range depends on the load, and it can deliver four passengers over a distance of 2800 km.
With all the technological advances implemented in the latest P-180 Avanti II turboprop aircraft, the Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aero Industries has secured a leading position in the business aviation turboprop segment for a long time to come. It is safe to say that with the release of this “heavenly Ferrari”.
