Piaggio Aero Is Rolling Out Plans for the NX Version of Its P.180 Avanti Aircraft – AIN

Ajouté : 2026-05-18

[00:00:01]The aircraft behind me, the Avanti EVO, turns heads wherever it goes with its unusual, very distinctive shape. But change is coming for the [music] Avanti.

[00:00:10]Piaggio has announced a new version called the NX. Multiple changes from tip to tail. [music] And they've got a launch customer for that. I spoke to the head of this program and he explained to me exactly what this will mean.

[00:00:29]So, the Avanti [music] I recognize very well. I've followed it for years, but I understand some changes coming. You're at Piaggio you're going to produce a new version of this very eye-catching aircraft. So, tell me what you can about the NX model. Well, actually, you know, you are totally right. I mean, this is a an eye-catching aircraft.

[00:00:48]Uh was designed uh years ago, but it's still the most modern aircraft in its category to the point that uh the NX is aimed to make our customer feel that is not uh a propeller driven aircraft. Mhm. Is not a turbofan or anyway is not in the turbojet class. Is a unique master, let me >> Very special. For this we have planned several, let me say, upgrade packages on the aircraft starting already this year with some enhancements uh that will allow to have first of all some increase in performance for the aircraft for reduction of landing and takeoff distance uh that is already uh let me say a master, Mhm. we are going to make it even better. We are going to have the possibility also to use it for unpaved runway.

[00:01:37]Uh then there are some upgrades that are mostly aimed to make our customers perceive uh the fact that they are in a premium aircraft. So, we are looking at what is the experience in flight both in terms of pilots and in terms of cabin comfort, use of, you know, the modern technologies, entertainment, and so on.

[00:02:01]So, this is the main focus for the next generation. It's actually a next aircraft, a next aircraft. And as you have made these decisions as to what needs to be changed, have you consulted with customers to ask them what they care about?

[00:02:15]>> Well, actually, you know, Piaggio went through a quite the, let me say, change in in its also in its organization because the company was acquired last year by the Biker Group.

[00:02:27]Biker is a company that is very modern.

[00:02:31]Consider they have approximately 8,000 employees with more than 4,000 engineers, very young, very practical, very looking at the the new technology, new new features, new opportunities.

[00:02:44]And starting since then, also thanks to the fact that Biker has a very distributed network in the world with a lot a lot of customers, we have started also to set up the users group with periodical video calls where we interviewed the operator in order to understand what they expect from their aircraft in terms of enhancement of in-service aircraft, and but also from a new aircraft. So, it's something that we are working on.

[00:03:13]>> And what about the cockpit? What about for the pilots? Could there be uh changes to the avionics?

[00:03:18]>> Yes, so we are working also on that to make quantum leap step on this.

[00:03:23]I cannot say more at this moment, but we are working with a team of uh pilots.

[00:03:28]You know, we have uh five experimental pilots in our company that are working hard to define the new features and the new characteristics both in terms of comfort, in terms of use of the aircraft, in terms of new features for what the new technology offer.

[00:03:43]Excellent. And you mentioned improvements to the the landing performance, the ability to operate on unprepared strips. I suppose that tells us this would make it more versatile.

[00:03:55]So, for for owners, uh especially in the charter market, they could get to more places. Well, you know, actually, uh you mentioned the charter market, but uh the business model for this aircraft has been changing in the in the last years.

[00:04:09]Because one thing that it was appreciated is the fact that the platform is very very versatile.

[00:04:16]So, actually, it was born as a business aircraft for VIP and small, but recently, one of the use that has been recognized for this aircraft is also for special missions, also for institutional fleets, for charter flights, or let me say what we call shuttle version. But especially, one version that is very very very interesting and that makes the aircraft probably the best solution for the market is a for medevac application.

[00:04:46]So, the Evo itself already has an enlarged door.

[00:04:49]The enlarged door has allowed us to increase the access to facilitate the access with the stretchers. We have a version that is allowing to have a two stretchers on board. And moreover, it's not only accommodating a stretcher, but the fact that with the cabin pressurization system, the aircraft is unique because you can fly at 40,000 ft with an internal pressure that is much much much lower, to the point that if you transfer, for example, a person that has had a stroke or something that they can be transferred safely. much safely and much quicker.

[00:05:23]So, and this is the reason why this version, the medevac, is required by the last customers as a kit as an option. Right.

[00:05:33]Just imagine that, for example, if you have the aircraft in shuttle version with typical, let me say, charter flight seats for a crew transfer and so on and so forth, you can convert it into medevac having it already provisioned in 1 hour, let me say. You remove the seats and install all the accommodation change the rules so very flexible. Excellent. And finally you're now part of the bike car group is this going to help you with potentially investment to improve maintenance services or other things.

[00:06:06]Absolutely they are not going to they have already started doing so one one of the intention of the bike car team as I said is a younger company but with a group of very determined people and very talented people for several let me say kind of a specialties in engineering but not only also in what is the customer support I mean in their product they have a support network that is very very strong and they are trying to implement the same thing also for the P180 it's something that was publicly announced some time ago that they have signed some specific arrangement with some companies in the United States to set up a Piaggio approved network of maintenance organization but we are also setting up specific warehouse specific logistic group with a lot of investment that has already been done by biker when they arrived the first thing they did was was to invest on the let me say relaunch especially on the support of the aircraft worldwide. Perfect thank you.

[00:07:09]You're welcome.

[00:07:09]>> You painted a complete picture here of what you plan to do. Thanks a lot.

[00:07:13]Perfect. Thanks a lot.

[00:07:25]>> [music]