Avanti completes record flight
On Sunday under a humid central Florida sky, a Piaggio P.180 Avanti settled to the runway at Orlando Executive Airport, setting a speed record for Class C-

On Sunday under a humid central Florida sky, a Piaggio P.180 Avanti settled to the runway at Orlando Executive Airport, setting a speed record for Class C-1.E/2 aircraft (twin turboprops 6,614 lb to 13,228 lb).

The trip required 2 hr and 25 min over the 865 nm from Fort Worth’s Meacham International Airport and was flown by Piaggio director of engineering and standards Bill Hauprich, with executive v-p of sales and marketing Jim Holcombe along as a crewmember. Hauprich said the aircraft averaged 361 ktas and reached a cruise altitude of 29,000 ft (ISA+13). The record awaits official approval by the National Aeronautic Association.