Piaggio Aero announced the first major order for its Avanti EVO this week at the Farnborough International Airshow, with Hong Kong-based Bravia Capital signing an order for 10 aircraft with options for another 40. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year. The aircraft will operate in the U.S., primarily in what Bravia CEO Bharat Bhise described as the “up to three-hour” market sector.
Although Piaggio Aero had been flight-testing the Avanti EVO since early last year, the company formally launched the new version of the twin-turboprop pusher at EBACE in May. At that time, it had already secured orders for three of the $7.395 million EVO–the first from an existing Avanti II customer in India, a second to an undisclosed customer and the third to a U.S. client.
Regarding certification of the EVO, “The major design changes will be certified with the EASA and then, if necessary, validated by the FAA under the bilateral agreement, with the exception of community noise reduction, which will be certified directly and separately by both authorities,” said Piaggio Aero CEO Carlo Logli. Piaggio Aero hopes to achieve FAA approval in time for the aircraft to make its U.S. debut at the NBAA Convention in October.