Flying the Piaggio P180 Avanti! (World’s Fastest Turboprop!)

[@22nlatitude]

Im a 767 captain and love this video. You’re knowledge of this plane and radio talk is awesome. You make it look easy.

[@kingkoolkata]

There are so many very good pilots in the GA. But just speaking for germany, once you got your GA - Cowboy stamp on your forehead, it will be hard to get back to an airline😏 I’m flying corporate for 15 yrs now. Currently the Phenom 300 , but also King Airs and all the CJs. So I know what im speaking of:) Owen does a very good easy looking job here 👌

[@secretagent86]

Damn one sexy plane

[@zacherius137]

sure you are buddy

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thank you!

[@unclefista]

*your

[@pierovittori1076]

My uncle was one of the test pilots of this amazing machine. As a retired fighter jet pilot he had lots of experience on supersonic jets (particularly the 104), still he was very excited about this job at Piaggio and I remember him being extatic about the pleasure of flying the P180. RIP Livio I miss you very much.

[@pagheca]

One of them flew over my home north of Rome every day, heading for Pratica di Mare airport, where I had worked for a few months a long time ago and where I had the opportunity to visit it. However, from the ground it was very noisy, a very high-pitched hum. I wonder if the engine is also loud in the cabin. p.s. I also had a Piaggio Vespa, but I guess this doesn't count, does it? 🙂

[@pierovittori1076]

​@@paghecaactually it's a pretty quiet plane from inside the cabin at cruise speed. That is due to a state of art sound insulation, placement and configuration of the props.

[@KyleCowden]

@pierovittori1076, he flew the Starfighter? The sexiest jet fighter ever? That's a bunch of super cool points right there. Those are the stories I'd be after.

[@pierovittori1076]

​@@KyleCowdenyess Sir. He was an airforce fighter pilot for quite a while, and as you might know Italy had the 104 as the backbone of our air defense strategic command. The 104 was employed as interceptor, reconaissance and fighter. No wonder my uncle flew a lot on that marvel. When Tornado came into production and actually arrived on the airfields my uncle was already retired. He suffered a major injury during flight, a sudden pressure loss in the cabin left him with a sort of perennial smile at one side of his mouth. He was then ruled not able anymore according to military standards and so moved on from the air Force to Piaggio. He left with the grade of major. His brother (and other uncle of mine) was also a fighter jet pilot but his career went very early on the fast lane. He became the youngest colonel of the entyre airforce and had very succesful career as instructor of fighter jet pilots. God bless em both, they were both exceptional human beings.

[@KyleCowden]

@@pierovittori1076 What a fantastic legacy. Thanks for entertaining my question.

[@JRGarage]

Owen is SINGLE PILOT, controlling a demanding beast of a plane, flying through some of the busiest airspace in the world, and he STILL has time to film clips out of the window and capture all this amazing footage. We’re so lucky we get all this TOP TIER CONTENT FREE.

[@Pilot_Perspective86]

Not all heroes wear capes lol

[@FewWords87]

dang bro get off your knees lol

[@actontreadway1168]

Sounds like he might not be a SINGLE pilot much longer!

[@archjen]

I’ve always thought it a great aircraft….

[@ackack612]

"...demanding beast " really, huh...?

[@taproom113]

Retired aviator with over 20,000 hours in many different high performance jets. When asked what civilian aircraft I haven't flown but would like to, I always say the Piaggio P-180 ... for all the reasons you see in this excellent video. Very impressed with the Avanti and Owen. Well done - Carry on ... ^v^

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thank you for watching! Congrats on an amazing career!

[@ddavidone6538]

It is amazing that a plane built that well is so rare. Those Italians make some high performance machines!

[@FlyWithOwen]

Yes indeed!

[@MarkMcelligottPeaches]

I'm 67 years old and received my private pilots certificate back in the early 1980s and on one of my training flights my instructor and I walked by one of these on the ramp. So, back then it was like looking at a spaceship! And, when we were taxiing to the active the Avanti we saw on the ramp was taking off and boy it nosed up and out at jet speed!!!! Just an amazing design and I just don't understand why we don't see a lot of these around the skies these days.

[@gordiejet]

Were you at Santa Paula, Ca. airport by any chance. The built the proto type there back in early 80's

[@MarkMcelligottPeaches]

@@gordiejet I was at a Canadian airport. The ship look out of this world for the both of us. We were lucky to see it depart.

[@gordiejet]

We had some fly into my local airport (PIA) And the make a lot to distinctive noise out the back. @@MarkMcelligottPeaches

[@bradgriffith4231]

Maintenance & fuel. From what I've read, they used more fuel than the King Air & required more & very expensive maintenance. Gotta tell ya something when the manufacturer couldn't afford to keep them in the air. It is still 1 of my favorite all time airplanes.

[@benhudman7911]

You really have to admire the beauty of this aircraft. It is really flying art.

[@zakidiab5535]

What do you expect from an aircraft designed by Ferrari, it must look amazing 😍

[@robertwhitten265]

@@zakidiab5535 But it also comes with Ferrari reliability which I do not want in an aircraft.

[@danc1873]

Proud to be 🇮🇹 here. What a beauty of the skies

[@FrancoCastro]

People don't realize he is single piloting a very complex airplane, controlling cameras, talking to us and dealing with a very busy ATC. And he doesn't even sound stressed. I'm more impressed of Owen than the airplane

[@Q-nt-Tf]

Not to take anything away from away from him or what you said, you are absolutely right but there are youtubers who fly big jets single and do the same thing.

[@jonathanrex]

Thought the same. I am flying myself, but wouldn't dare to record clips beside flying and covering ATC There are too many risks in violating restricted areas where I live.

[@ackack612]

Oh, for heavens sake! An excellent pilot, I'm sure, let's look at what he actually did...he took off, he landed and the plane, flight computer preprogrammed, piloted the vast majority of the flight... IN NO WAY am I questioning or criticizing his skills as a pilot. The facts are as the equipment becomes ever more sophisticated and all encompassing pilot load is increasing lightened. Hell, I'm sure he didn't even have to land the plane (manually), the aircraft, probably, could have landed without additional input from the pilot if so programmed. All of that notwithstanding, nice vid! I look forward to learning more about the aircraft.

[@EazyDuz18]

the plane flies itself

[@jonathanrex]

@@ackack612 No offense, but I can only assume that you’re not a pilot yourself.

[@jeffreycarswell3915]

I flew 2 Piaggios for about 3 years. We had an Avanti I and II. I primarily flew the Avanti I. We took it all over North America and for years our owner just couldn’t justify buying anything else. Interesting part is I actually flew Piaggio’s original Avanti I demonstrator N320CA which was changed when I flew it when it was Canadian registered. I really miss flying the plane so this was definitely a nice little bit of nostalgia

[@adenauertavarez8753]

Is it expensive to operate? I mean, compared to another plens in the category

[@Cloxxki]

@@adenauertavarez8753 Sounds to me like it's making jets seem needlessly expensive to run when you can have this one and slightly longer flight times.

[@ronammon1573]

I remember doing wind tunnel tests on the Piaggio P180 at the Boeing plant 1 facility in the early 80's. Quite a plane then, quite a plan now.

[@FlyWithOwen]

That’s awesome!

[@lorenzoberna2314]

Would be awesome to hear more about that!

[@AltRockLover]

I'd say this young man was born to fly. His focus, dedication to his craft, and the joy he exhibits while doing what he loves to do is inspiring, and gives me some hope for America's future, and the future of aviation.

[@Hermandbl7]

I have always been attracted to this airplane and I'm sure there are many of us who would love to fly one. I really was impressed that the dash even has a cubby for paper and pen holders! The designers really did try to think of everything. Thanks for sharing this plane with us.

[@kebond1]

I've seen the Avanti being looped and rolled (by an Italian Air Force Test Pilot) at an Airshow here in the UK. A very capable (but somewhat noisy!) aeroplane. Pilots from the same unit also loop and roll the C-27 Spartan at airshows!

[@kremenjelezov8356]

Had the opportunity to fly on one of these a couple of months ago. Spent about 5 hours on it doing LBWN-LICT-LBSF delivering an FMGC for one of our jets that was AOG in Sicily. What an amazing aircraft! With me as the sole passenger, it climbs like a bat out of hell, but still quiet and really comfortable. Absolutely love it.

[@cmoore185]

You covered about the whole alphabet except lgbtq++

[@RobertJohnson-lb3qz]

Yes indeed, his climb out of San Jose was very impressive. I had to watch that part of the video twice.

[@FlyingAl2006]

I was wondering how quiet they are inside. Had one fly over about 2 weeks ago and I could hear it for a long minute before it got there. I wasn't too far from the Kansas City downtown airport so he wasn't higher than 3K probably. But it was noticeably louder than anything else that flies over that's civilian anyway LOL but it did look cool as hell scooting across the sky....

[@parttimeandy854]

There's one at my local airport and my house is under one of the arrivals. Planes normally pass about 1,000' - 2,000' above when coming in. I can hear the Piaggio when I'm in the basement before you can even see it. @@FlyingAl2006

[@FlyWithOwen]

Awesome!

[@f.hababorbitz]

I was working for Collins when we integrated the system on this aircraft. My part was the flight control. I did the inhouse design and qualification testing for that system. It resides in a card cage that holds the FCC, FMC, maintenance computer, and ARINC429 data switches. I was hired to when the company was designing the BeechCraft Starship Model 2000. That was a dud, but launched the ProLine4 avionics systems in the business and regional division. I was always impressed at the design of the P180. Odd it's not a big seller, but that may be support world wide.

[@stonehorn4641]

It wasn’t a big seller because of its price compared to admittedly much slower prop planes that are much easier to fly. I also don’t know Piaggio could produce enough for it to be a truly popular choice. It’s too far out of my budget. I have a Tomahawk and 182S. The 182S has Lycoming IO-580 tuned to 330hp, full IFR. Great fun to fly and at the limit of my current budget. My dream is an SR22, but it seems unlikely. The insurance costs on them alone are run 10-155k/yr Canadian.

[@bendav]

The Piaggio is one of my favorite aircraft. So unique, fast, and beautiful!

[@thomasdobson3823]

Piaggio is one of my favourite scooters 😅

[@nicolasqui4654]

and loud :p

[@BikerDad2005]

I have my commercial ticket and Instructors endorsement. This video is superb and brought all my dreams to the forefront. I gave up my medical when I turned 70 - it takes videos like this to give me my dreams back! Excellent.

[@72tlovett]

I said it before and I will say it again.....when it comes to pilots..Owen is the GOAT!! He is always flying different planes and with so much knowledge of each one.

[@secretagent86]

GOAT is the late Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown. There will never be another to match his experience

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thank you!

[@aquacat4point1]

Or maybe bob hoover??

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

*So NOT what I was expecting.* His skills including the video production ... all of it... top shelf ! Amazing airplane... i'd love to fly it. Retired airline. New sub.

[@meadmaker4525]

What a beautiful aircraft!! Thanks for taking us along for the flight.

[@robertwyland7770]

One of the coolest planes ever! A unique and some what controversial characteristic of the plane is the sound of it when heard from the ground. I can always tell when one of these is anywhere nearby without looking. Sort of a buzz saw sound, which i believe is due to backward facing props.

[@7775Kevin]

You are an excellent pilot and communicator. What a unique aircraft.

[@FerrowTheFox]

As a huge turboprop lover, the Avanti is one of my all time favorite planes! Sleek, fast and absolutely unique-looking with that pusher prop config and the forward wings. Really envious you get to fly them! Thanks for bringing us along!

[@AirplaneMode-pi9oc]

I get to see them almost everyday since here at KTUL and KRVS we have a maintenance shop for this type of airplane. I have some shorts in my channel about them

[@rodwilliams2782]

KTUL /KRVS I can remember a few years back when I went to KRVS to reflect back 40 years getting my private there , and on the ramp sat 2 star ships . It was quite the sight for such a small airport .

[@lewiskemp5893]

Well said

[@FerrowTheFox]

@@AirplaneMode-pi9oc I get to see them sometimes, too, as there's a small airline that operates them out of my local airfield EDFZ. Gonna check out your videos as well, thanks!

[@BeyondBirth]

I fell in love with this plane at first sight years ago. She just looks like she can do what he’s telling us she can do.

[@georgiapatriot4575]

There's one of these that's been based out of the Atlanta area for decades (I think maybe KGVL). A friend and I were discussing the other day how unique the sound is from the ground. I can 100% identify that an Avanti is flying over just from the sound. I have moved further away from KPDK in the last half decade so I guess I didn't see it as often but it recently flew over my house this year and I recognized the sound immediately.

[@mr.ginnationfunlifestyle3891]

This plane is totally underrated. I can’t understand, why it didn’t sell so well. Awesome design, high end output in performance and economic in the sky. The range is great and you fly between FL380 and FL 410. How awesome is this? The P180 is rare but can compete with jets at lower costs. Love it. 😊

[@FlyWithOwen]

Right!? Thanks for watching!

[@PrinceAlhorian]

Imagine the Beechcraft Starship didn't flop, the P180 would then have a decent competitor and could have sold better. I have a kink for pusher prop designs and the p180 feels like it it was designed by a bored Lamborghini engineer, avant-garde and quirky.

[@TrainSounds]

I thought the P180 is still being built to this day.

[@PrinceAlhorian]

@@TrainSounds It is, just not as abundantly built like they would have if something like the Beechcraft Starship was a viable competitor.

[@Klaus293]

@@PrinceAlhorianI seriously admired the Starships! So gorgeous. I was so disappointed when it became clear that the market (and luxury tax) situations were going to kill the plane.

[@cjswa6473]

Nice landing.. smooth as butter

[@eddiegardner8232]

Owen is a cool calm pilot who seems to speak "ATC" as though it were a second language. Would love to fly with him.

[@johannjohann6523]

It may be Italian, but it looks like the Rolls Royce of aircraft inside the cabin! Sweet! noticed right away how quiet the aircraft is, and it also seems to be a very stable platform. Altogether great aircraft!

[@Robert-mn8gc]

Think u mean ( Ferrari or Lamborghini ) 😅😅😅😅😅 Rolls Royce have never designed anything as Sweet as this Baby 👶

[@robertjenkins7663]

WOW, that was a smooth landing. I'm always amazed how anyone can keep track of everything that's involved in flying aircraft.

[@whiteknight7wayne493]

Iv worked as a refinery process operator on panels with at least as much instrumentation and iv done quite a few hours of flight simulators. Iv also flew with and observed a turbo prop bush pilot from behind him in South America. After a while you know ur equipment and its behavoir and what to look for. Eg iv learned miles and miles of piping , valving , subsystems , pumps and their power sources etc on giant equipment on multiple process plants in the field also. Much of it becomes second nature and also u learn to flow in periods of intense concentration when things become heightned. Obviously performance varies between different persons and this guy know his stuff.

[@GinnyGlider]

@@whiteknight7wayne493 Thanks, this is an informative and motivating comment, as I aspire to become a pilot myself one day :)

[@whiteknight7wayne493]

@@GinnyGlider Youre welcomme Ginny, thats what were here for.

[@manojtopiwala7454]

Practice & Being PRESENT!😊

[@boater_rob]

I really appreciate the time, thought and effort you put into these productions, Owen. Thank you. Looking forward to the next Piaggio video.

[@markfrank0924]

I learned so much about this plane I didn't know. I've watched several videos on this plane and learned more from your video than all the others combined. I want you to know that I've explained this plan well and how it achieves such stellar performance numbers. Well done.

[@jonfelty6063]

Thanks for taking us along! You are an incredible pilot, incredible guy! Camera work was amazing! Thank you for all you do!

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thanks for watching!

[@t.p.mckenna]

Love your split-screening. Image quality is fab!!! The whole picture. Btw, you make burgundy and washed denim look so cool for a ride in the main seat. Oh, and another BTW, really smart production, editing and mixing. Smart Job, sir.

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thanks so much!

[@russelldawkins9094]

A very clever design - and appreciative pilot! My favourite design feature is the lifting fuselage in combination with the forward wings allowing the main wings to be smaller, but clever features abound. Thanks for taking the time to make this.

[@vondertann8218]

damn the landing is so smooth that i reverse back a few time to look for the exact moment of touch down, GJ man

[@HaiderAli-zr8km]

Owen is an extremely talented and knowledgeable pilot. God bless you my son.

[@johnblunt1834]

Never in the aviation market, but always a fan of Italian m/cs. I was in the Ducatti 900ss age. This is a beauty of an aircraft. Thanks for showing how good the operation of it is too Owen. A very skilful, and nicely done video. (UK).

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thanks a lot!

[@malcolmar]

Very impressive flying and thank you for this video. The Piaggio P180 Avanti is by far my favorite airplane. I would love to hear more about it.

[@Jasper_Seven]

not a pilot, but this is one of my favorite airplanes since its introduction. Thanks for sharing that ride!

[@FlyWithOwen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HahaHaha-gq8ft]

Now that's a badass turboprop. That turbo spool on take-off sounds so good .

[@kobyonekanobie2790]

Love watching him fly all I really know about the Avant is that it sounds so great it has a sound all it's own you hear it coming from way out the ILS. Las Vegas has a few and I get to watch them go right over my house all the time pure joy.

[@RobEJC]

I have loved the P180A2 for so long now, just hope I can get in one some day. They are truly gloriously designed beasts, and just so damned pretty.

[@herberthallum2078]

That's a beautiful airplane and I can imagine a pleasure to fly. Thanks for sharing this experience.

[@bradkenville1714]

Owen, great video! The P180 has to be one of my favorite turboprops of all time bar none. We have a few that fly out of KSTS, always make that wicked prop sound as they fly overhead. Thanks for sharing, you are one lucky “Mo Fo”and glad to see a soft throttle hand with power settings at altitudes. No need to put the PT6’s to the top of the power curb at cruise. Be safe Pal!

[@creativechazzan]

OMG, never saw this thing! It's really impressive, underrated and under appreciated. Why isn't seen more. Your takeoff was killer and beastly, so smooth, clean and fast. You didn't need to much runway either haha.

[@Jimmy_Bee]

Now that is how you land a plane! Beautiful!

[@wyaldkingdom]

This plane is just always at the top of my list of all time favorites. Love the looks and the fact that it’s fast and efficient are just icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing, I love watching these fly!

[@jrfoleyjr]

Piaggio, I love you! What a gorgeous aircraft! I would love to fly into Oshkosh aboard one for the show. I am blown away with how quiet the cabin is. Just WOW!

[@Ams-se9tb]

I just had one fly over my house earlier today 😮😮 I ran out the house so fast when I heard it.. such an incredible sound 😍😍😍

[@FlyWithOwen]

Oh wow!

[@flysport_tedder]

this is a great example of how chill and fun norcal controllers are. would love to see more on the Piaggio! Just don't tell Justin (pilot to pilot) how wonderful it is.

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thanks for watching! They’re great

[@luisjimenez5898]

Landing was soo smooth that I had to replay it few times to make sure that it really landed.

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thanks!

[@rogierasselt4972]

very cool to watch for aviation nuts! This guy is a consumate professional and can also talk about the technical specs and flying in such a way it connects to a non pilot licensed audience, you sir are living one hell of a life, you ve worked hard for it enjoy it and be safe!

[@FlyingSurprise]

That plane has a VERY distinct sound. I learned it's existence by hearing it and I had to stop bicycling and check what that was taking off from runway 12.

[@HopelessWW]

Indeed, that's the sound I have learnt well in my home (close to runway where Avanti serving as fastest medical transport is frequent visitor) - anywhere in the world i hear that I shout "Piaggio Avanti!" And look around for it :) probably the most distinct sound aside Avro Lancaster...

[@erikyoshi5549]

Total bad ass. Loved this video felt like I was there. Made my day hope you can take me along from San Jose to Santa Ana one day! Keep it up!

[@shawnengstrom3906]

Love the Avanti. This is the first video I have seeing of it from the cockpit and explaining things. 6k ft cabin alt at 41k id amazing. Wish they were still a real player in the turboprop market.

[@ozmozis6073]

Wow. Referencing others, you make this look easy! Enjoyed your approach into class B and landing. Very cool. Love the camera work - great angles. What's the range of the Piaggio P180 and how's it handle turbulence? Thanks.

[@mentalcog2187]

Utterly amazing in many ways! And that plane! I've never seen one that close before! This was truly a treat! Could you be anymore relaxed flying such a beast of a plane?! 😅 Not without sleeping! 🤣

[@mikejohnson5900]

The Piaggio is one of the most beautiful modern aircraft flying today! Having heard the stats it's even more impressive. You're a lucky dog Owen getting to fly one! Well done video - you make it all look easy Sir! 🫵🏻

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thank you very much!

[@myntlfloss]

Great airplane! Great pilot! Always ahead of the plane and drama free. Most folks have no idea how hard it is to make it look easy.

[@johan_prophetic_warrior]

As an ex enroute ATC I was blown away the first time I Saw this on radar in 2016, the height and speed is phenomenal. I thought there was a flight plan error, couldn't believe that it was a prop 😂😂😂

[@jeffreycarswell3915]

I flew 2 of these beautiful machines and loved when we would ask for altitudes above FL300 and we’d get asked if we can make it to FL300… I would shock them when we said we could go all the way up to FL410.

[@MattsAviationChannel]

Cool turboprop! It is very fast like a jet but more efficient.

[@stevenm7408]

Great vid, gorgeous plane, and super soft landing, nice work!

[@smark1180]

There used to be one based at my local airport. Its unique sound made it easily recognizable when (especially) climbing or descending nearby.

[@Robert-mn8gc]

The Best Designed Small Aircraft going Around. Typically Italian Design. Incredibly Adventurous Aircraft Architecture. Awesome 👌 😅

[@bradgriffith4231]

Burt Rutan designed several of the best small aircraft EVER! Hard to argue 180 mph with a 50 hp VW engine on 4 gallons per hour!!

[@barmetler]

You just created a new fan for this plane, it's so cool! It's just got everything I love.

[@kellywilkins8043]

Owen, I’ve always loved the P180! How hard is it to hire a full time pilot for a privately owned Avanti?

[@Hilighted]

Thank you very much! Liked, subscribed and shared. My absolute favorite KZbin channel by far.

[@Bmg009]

Why aren’t more planes designed like this? It seems like it’s flying perfection. I’ve never flown, just now starting to get interested in it but the first thing I’ve noticed is how tall the dashes are, it looks like it impedes the view, am I right or am I rilla?

[@mj6962]

Wow, very nice! I have never seen one like that before. Also, I always use John Wayne when I’m in OC. it’s a great little airport. Brand new Subscriber here! Thanks for the excellent content!

[@charleskellim1335]

This is an amazing video of an amazing airplane. This is one of my favorites of your videos. Owen, you are an amazing pilot of many high-class airplanes. But, I still like seeing you fly in a Bonanza!! 😉😉

[@heavi-armed-infadel]

@3:52 the call back with same emphasis on "Piaaahzio" as tower was hilarious. Gorgeous aircraft, always loved that Rutan style.

[@joshflodin2108]

Owen, I must say you are a STUD! Flying a plane like that solo, your video presentation, calmness and all making a really cool video, I'm impressed! How old is Owen, does anyone know? What a great representation and example of what hard work, discipline and great parenting can result in!

[@itgoestoeleven]

Wow! What a beautiful - and beautifully performing - airplane! I'll second all the comments here about your very adept piloting skills, Owen. Well done all around.

[@pblacklock]

I lived in SJ for years and I knew every time you were flying in or out of SJC. Such a distinct sound! Love Piaggio so much I had to buy an mp3.

[@johnclunan4488]

Love your channel and your approach to flying, you can tell you love to fly and it's a treat bring us along. The Piaggio is an amazing aircraft and you fly it like an old pro!

[@klassyedward9718]

Magnificent aircraft, detail of instrumentation with capabilities makes a easy enjoyable flight. Thanks for sharing your time in this wonderful aircraft!

[@dummyfarm]

The P180 is one of the most impressive planes there are so please make some follow up videos would be super interesting.

[@tegknox2694]

This video checks all the boxes. Great content, superb production values and generous flight ops exposure.

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thank you so much!

[@d.a.4735]

Beautiful Aircraft…Show More 🙏 FORZA ITALIA !!! 🇮🇹

[@dawn_alex]

Fro making rickshaws to plane. Way to go Piaggio.

[@ilfordino-fordfiestatutori8725]

Made in ITALY baby!

[@RenoLaringo]

Your polyvalence is mindblowing. It looks like you were born to live in the skies. Beautiful airplane!

[@David_Walker16-3-51]

Had a P180 fly over me yesterday. Couldn’t see it for the clouds, but I knew it was special. Checked Flightradar24 to see what it was and by the time the identity came up, it was gone. Many years ago, I can remember being just as fascinated by the sound of an Italian registered P166 flying survey flights out of RAF Middleton St George. It sticks with you.

[@davidduganne5939]

Was on the shore of Lake Tahoe, when a P-180 with its fast moving, unique sound flew over, quite high. Even jaded beachgoers looked up, because they sound so cool.

[@RADThird1]

Yep. Don't even have to see them. The sound is unique.

[@VP_Smith]

Awesome Video, the P180 is one of my favourites. And now seeing it from the inside makes me love it even more. The Fact that Piaggio is an aircraft manufacturer dates back to the early days of airplanes and is one of the oldest manufacturers in the world just adds prestige to the brand, I'm not sure if it's true or not but I heard that Ferrari has an involvement with Piaggio too

[@stevenelliott6061]

Loved the commentary and your obvious expertise on this type of equipment , it’s a great aircraft and seemed extremely quiet as you explained - cheers

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thank you very much! I have more videos to come of this airplane.

[@reeltrides911S]

Great video as always Owen. How does this plane compare to the Beech Starship? Are they essentially the same? Do the props ever got hotter than they should be if flying at a warmer altitude?

[@marionetteworks]

Came here to say this is a beautiful plane… almost as pretty as the Starship. One difference is the 80’s CRT avionics on the Starship, I wonder what features it’s missing. Not sure it would have VPath.

[@TiffMcGiff]

Asking the real questions…

[@RADThird1]

The Star Ship was far too heavy and it affected performance. The all composite airframe, instead of making it lighter did just the opposite. The P180 is mostly metal although it looks like composite!

[@DaveInLAS]

Super glad I just discovered you this morning! What an awesome vibe you have and everything is pro shot and super sleek 👏🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼✨

[@MrCyp200la]

I'm so amazed by all the planes you can fly. Very talented pilot.👍

[@mumenguvuze2093]

Just the same as the different models of cars you can drive .. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ikellay]

@@mumenguvuze2093 not the same

[@patalexander3702]

You make it look so simple, but it’s much more! Enjoyed everything about the video. Great plane and great pilot!

[@FlyWithOwen]

Thanks a ton!

[@getit9066]

I captain the Dreamliner, and truly worship this Italian beauty.

[@11SCIONRELEASESERIE]

I hope your channel grows man. You are admirably knowledgeable and great attitude

[@JustaPilot1]

Ok then. I'll be that guy. The forward wing needs to have a higher angle incidence than the main wing to stall first. All the canard aircraft are set up this way so I would expect the same for the P180's forward wing.

[@mythicalphoenix5293]

In terms of it being a multi, does this plane not have some things in critical engine theory? I assume it doesn't get affected by accelerated slipstream. But this plane is so sick haha

[@richardstamper5630]

For us non pilots that was a real treat. That is one beautiful bit of kit from any angle - you lucky bugger!!

[@NSResponder]

Such a beautiful and elegant machine. I have to wonder why more manufacturers haven't gone for this configuration, given its clear performance advantages.

[@Rhaegar1340]

Because our corrupted politicians have sold the company to some Arabic guy that took all the good stuff and throw away the rest, people and machines…. So sad story…

[@thomaskloszewski]

This is my first time watching your channel. I really enjoyed your video and explanation of this aircraft. Thankyou and I'm looking forward to seeing your next video.

[@av8tore71]

Before Raytheon bought all of them back I used to fly the Beech Starship. That was a very unique plan to fly and (back in the day) an eye catcher because no one had ever seen such a plane

[@bubbleobill267]

You are a very, very lucky person to have flown one of those birds.

[@marionetteworks]

Can you say something about the avionics and systems? Was it capable of ILS, VNAV descent, RNAV, all that? What was it missing compared to today’s planes?

[@UncleKennysPlace]

@@marionetteworksIt had avionics "of the era". There are specs online. I was in one, but not flying. There was one locally, back in the day. It came to market heavy and slow and expensive.

[@Subgunman]

That was one of my favorite airframes! Very unique sound since the exhaust is chopped by the props just as in the Avanti. The aircraft was IFR certified however the avionics of the time were color CRT'S WHICH ADD A LOT OF WEIGHT! This aircraft was designed by Bert Rutan of Scaled Composites and had one of the most sturdiest airframes of the time. From what I have read in the past one "belly landing" with very little damage to the aircraft. Beech-Raytheon were burned by the company that had exclusive rights to maintainence, basically it was free to the customer however they charged Beech ridiculously high fees which in the end made the aircraft too costly to maintain. It cost Beech Raytheon much more than it was worth to destroy these airframes since they were composites. There were several that were bought outright and the owners refused the buyback. They did however negotiate to purchase airframes without the airworthiness certificates to keep for spares. Another individual did manage to purchase two non airworthy airframes and managed to get one registered as experimental with the second kept for spares.

[@marionetteworks]

@@Subgunmanthere's a hotly-anticipated rendition of this aircraft coming for MSFS 2020, I can't wait to pretend-fly it.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

What a gorgeous aircraft... and cockpit layout easy to read and understand.