Pilatus, Piaggio Break Into New National Markets

Two non-U.S. airframers this month announced their respective first-ever sales in third-party countries, providing further evidence of business aviation’s increasingly global reach. Our first success story comes courtesy of Switzerland’s Pilatus, which announced its first delivery of a PC-12 turboprop single to Brazil. OceanAir Txi Areo, its exclusive dealer for Brazil, which was appointed in March 2005, sold the new aircraft to its end customer. Meanwhile, Italy’s Piaggio Aero Industries matched Pilatus’ entry into the Brazilian market by selling a P.180 Avanti II twin turboprop in — where else? — Switzerland. Maybe these two should get together in a smoke-filled room somewhere.

We are delighted to deliver the first Avanti II into Switzerland as we ring in the New Year, said Piaggio Aero CEO Jose di Mase. The Avanti II received its EASA certification in October and features up-rated P&WC PT6A-66B engines, plus Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. Piaggio said it expects FAA validation of the EASA Type Certificate “soon.” Back in Brazil, that country’s first PC-12 will be based in So Paulo and be used for executive transport. The PC-12 is ideally suited for Brazil, said Thomas Bosshard, president and CEO of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. Its combination of high speed, long range, executive-class cabin, superior economics, and short-field performance is unmatched by any other aircraft.