Got my aircraft back from 5 year inspection and prop overhauls. Some data below. Work done in Germany. Prices in euro, net.

Having previously bought a new main gear wheel for EUR 76k, I find this invoice reasonable

They say the P180 is a runway hog but I’ve never cared…

Until this week. I had to fly Kenmore Air from Seattle Boeing Field to Orcas Island’s 3,000 foot runway. Not too big a PITA until they had a breakdown this morning on them return leg…Then flew the P180 to Vancouver and DROVE 2.5 hours to Whistler because they have a 3,000 foot strip too. First world problems…

Wait, Whistler has an airport? Last I looked, years ago, they only landed seaplanes on the lake, the nearest runways were Squamish (2,400') and Pemberton (4,000'). Is there now a closer runway?

Wait, Whistler has an airport? Last I looked, years ago, they only landed seaplanes on the lake, the nearest runways were Squamish (2,400') and Pemberton (4,000'). Is there now a closer runway?

FWIW, I am planning a trip to Orcas in August. If they have a place to park the airplane, which I admittedly haven’t called about yet, my plan is to fly into KORS. It’ll do fine in 3000’ as long as it’s not heavy. But I have to make a stop at KBFI anyway, so I’ll be light.

The Piaggio isn’t that bad at runway. When I was buying I ran numbers on some similar payloads and ranges, and it wasn’t dramatically different than the MU2. In real life the MU2 beats book numbers, so not claiming the Piaggio is quite as good at runway use as the MU2, but the Piaggio when light is actually pretty decent. When heavy and at the higher Vr of the >11550lb weight charts, it gets a fair bit longer.

Caveat - to get book runway performance it must be flown to book, ie using the weight based Vr of the performance chart. I have heard rumors (not first hand) that FS teaches to rotate at 120, which definitely would mean a lot more runway.

FWIW, I am planning a trip to Orcas in August. If they have a place to park the airplane, which I admittedly haven’t called about yet, my plan is to fly into KORS. It’ll do fine in 3000’ as long as it’s not heavy. But I have to make a stop at KBFI anyway, so I’ll be light.

The Piaggio isn’t that bad at runway. When I was buying I ran numbers on some similar payloads and ranges, and it wasn’t dramatically different than the MU2. In real life the MU2 beats book numbers, so not claiming the Piaggio is quite as good at runway use as the MU2, but the Piaggio when light is actually pretty decent. When heavy and at the higher Vr of the >11550lb weight charts, it gets a fair bit longer.

Caveat - to get book runway performance it must be flown to book, ie using the weight based Vr of the performance chart. I have heard rumors (not first hand) that FS teaches to rotate at 120, which definitely would mean a lot more runway.

ramp at orcas is plenty big for eg a PC-12. probably best at the south end. you shouldn’t have a problem. i don’t believe they have jet a.

I am a pilot with only PPL and IR/MEL with 300TT(120 hours for twin pistons), if I want to fly a Piaggio Avanti solo, what kind of requirements for insurance and how much does it cost?

If you want a straight answer to that, you'll need to talk to an insurance broker.

If you want a straight answer to that, you'll need to talk to an insurance broker.

Correct at that low experience level you'll be DUAL ONLY for likely the first policy period - likely not insured as PIC initially either. Experience level you show is very very low for an aircraft in this class (high perf. twin turbo-prop).

Correct at that low experience level you'll be DUAL ONLY for likely the first policy period - likely not insured as PIC initially either. Experience level you show is very very low for an aircraft in this class (high perf. twin turbo-prop).

Hi,
yesterday we were greeted by some heavy rain while landing. The view we had during landing was not particular good (wish we had wipers). I was wondering what kind of water repellent you guys use on the windshield of the Piaggio and how often you re-apply it?

Thx

Dear All,

I'm hearing conflicting opinions on this. What is your experience?

If the HYD FILTER light is on after the flight and goes away after GROUND TEST to SYST, does it mean the filter needs to be replaced?

My experience with the HYD FILTER annunciation is that it comes on whenever power is restored, ie after the battery is connected. So if you see it, I would not be concerned unless I was 100% certain that the system power was not cut off at some point (battery disconnect).