Press Release

Issued by Piaggio Aerospace.

March 2, 2017

Piaggio Aerospace, a leading Italian aircraft manufacturer active in the business and defence and security sectors, today announced it will provide its Avanti EVO aircraft in medevac and other special mission configuration with an enlarged cabin door as an option. The announcement was made at Avalon 2017, the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition staged at Avalon Airport in the city of Geelong, Victoria in Australia between 28th February and 5th March 2017.

The five-inches-enlarged cabin door, in combination with the Avanti EVO's already low ground clearance, will allow an easier and more direct stretcher-loading in the aircraft, thus enhancing the overall aircraft capability in ambulance operations.

Renato Vaghi, chief executive officer of Piaggio Aerospace, said: “The enlarged door option, specifically designed for special missions, highlights Piaggio Aerospace willingness to be a key player in this sector. In particular, the Avanti EVO's characteristics, such overall performance, pressurization and roomy cabin, and now an enlarged door, make it the perfect platform for fulfilling medical operators' needs”.

The Avanti EVO is the third generation of the legendary P.180. Currently, there are more than 220 P.180 Avanti aircraft in operation globally: six Avanti EVO, 126 of the second-generation Avanti II, and 89 of the original Avanti. Of these, around 25 aircraft are in medevac configuration or equipped with the quick-change stretcher kit.