Piaggio Avanti II

Ferrari takes to the skies

The world has long known the iconic image of the Ferrari brand. When one hears the name, the image that comes to mind is that of a super-fast red sports car-- never such a thing as a private turboprop plane. Well, with the times, so changes the ventures of a company with a long-rooted history in the automotive industry.

Coming from purebred blood, the Piaggio Avanti II is the precise embodiment of what an aircraft belonging to the Ferrari family would be. Piero Ferrari, son of the late Enzo Ferrari (founder of Ferrari), is president of Piaggio Aero Industries, which manufactures Piaggio Avanti planes.

Just as Ferrari is known for their super-fast sports cars, the Piaggio brand is synonymous with chic motor scooters the world over.

With the connection secure, Ferrari and Piaggio came together and produced a one-off Ferrari-branded Avanti II that would serve as the official plane for the Ferrari Company.

Fast, sleek and ultra-sexy, the Avanti II is the one and only plane created for such a legendary car company.

Piaggio and Ferrari’s collaboration turned into a phenomenon that is so closely connected to the automotive industry that it has become the private coach for the pilots of Ferrari’s Formula 1 Racing Team.

With a top Speed of around 450 mph, the Avanti II is about twice as fast as the fastest Ferrari and it’s got a 1,800-mile range and a maximum cruising altitude of 41 thousand feet.

Proven to be the fastest turboprop in the world, the Avanti II holds numerous world speed records, including an impressive 43-minute and 25-second trip from Omaha to Chicago with an average speed of 573 mph. It is truly automotive enthusiast’s plane.

More than just a fast, sporty turboprop, the Avanti II falls into the luxury marque as well, ensuring a pleasurable ride in addition to a thrill. The private plane ensures that its up to seven passengers will be comfortable by offering an unusual amount of headroom and more luggage capacity than a Chevy Suburban. The interior of the plane has the cabin cross-section of a mid-size jet so, while seated, passengers are free to make telephone calls, check email, or simply recline and catch the latest film.

The flight on the Avanti II is also whisper quiet. It uses backwards- mounted turboprops and a sound-absorbing layer in the fuselage that absorbs even the smallest of bothersome noises to guarantee a very quiet flight experience.

Instead of the annoying buzz of a normal turboprop plane, travelers on the Avanti II are pleased by the gentle hum of a pair of highly tuned Formula 1 engines.

The ride is also a pleasant one for the pilot. With all-digital glass panel avionics, the cockpit of the plane is a stunning one. Installed in the Avanti II is the FlightWatch traffic and weather mapping system and a LandMark terrain warning system; both programs designed to ensure safety on each and every flight.

This high-performance aircraft is not only designed for speed and safety, but it is also designed for efficiency, using 30 percent less fuel than a comparable jet.

The perfect match for the Ferrari brand, the Avanti II is pleasing all the way around. Its conical nose lends to its sleek design and overall exterior appeal. The body of the plane is of course, adorned with the staple red logos and prancing horses synonymous with the Ferrari name.

Known world wide for super-fast cars, the Ferrari name is synonymous with the fastest motors in the world. Now they will be known for private aircraft as well.