Piaggio Aerospace is working with Ruag Aviation to make a Magnaghi Aeronautica landing gear retrofit available for existing Avantis. The companies completed the first upgrade on a Piaggio P.180 Avanti II, replacing the existing gear with the Magnaghi system that incorporates a digitally controlled steering system. The system is the same as that on the newest member of the Avanti fleet, the Evo.

Piaggio and Ruag collaborated closely on the upgrade, which took place at Ruag’s Agno, Switzerland facility and was completed in six weeks. Piaggio worked on the design and engineering, as well as a service bulletin, while Ruag was responsible for the installation. Ruag further produced part of the installation kit.

 Stephan Woodtli, general manager of Ruag Aviation in Agno, noted the project was challenging, requiring both major electrical and structural modifications to the aircraft. “But thanks to the close cooperation of everybody involved, it has been a complete success,” he said.

 “The landing gear upgrade brings the P.180 Avanti family closer to the standard of the Avanti Evo,” added Piaggio Aerospace CEO Renato Vaghi.

The companies say the Magnaghi landing gear system reduces pilot workload, improves ground handling and substantially lowers maintenance costs with a 15,000-cycle/15-year overhaul interval. This compares with the 6,000-cycle/12-year schedule of the current landing gear. The Magnaghi landing gear further is designed to accommodate features such as an anti-skid system or LED landing lights.