Enough Of The Excuses... Here Are Our Final Decisions On The
Best Birds Of The Year
Final Compilations by ANN Editor-In-Chief/Roving Aeronaut, Jim
Campbell
Each year, we put our heads
together, look over reader input as well as our own reports and
other sources of info and try to recognize the VERY BEST aircraft
in a number of pivotal categories. This particular series will
cover the aircraft we consider to be the VERY BEST of the whole
breed.
The following award categories have been established:
- E-LSA Kit Category
- S-LSA RTF (Ready To Fly) Category
- Amateur-Built/Experimental Kit Category
- GA Piston-Single Engine Category
- GA Piston-Twin Engine Category
- GA Turbine-Single Engine (Turboprop)
- GA Turbine-Multi Engine (Turboprop)
- GA Turbine (Jet)
- Plane Of The Year (The Best Of Them All -- Regardless
of Category)
Each year, the choices get tougher. Worse; we tend to also make
it more difficult by tightening the reins on the decision making
process so that it gets harder and harder to make the cut as the
best in any category, much less wind up at the top of the pack as
our Overall Plane Of The Year selection.
As this year came to a close, we
also made some additional decisions as to what constitutes a "Best
of Breed" and how wide we wanted to cast the net and wound up
adding some categories to recognize some birds that truly deserved
the nod. As noted in past years, it struck us that naming an
overall "best" aircraft across the entire spectrum of general (or
sport) aviation is probably no longer reasonable. Which isn't to
say that we won't make a selection... but that we reserve the right
not to do so if no specific aircraft steps to deserve the title.
There are simply too many aircraft that have distinguished
themselves in too many outstanding ways for one to readily be
called better than the other on an overall basis. One man's perfect
high-speed Hot-Rod, for instance, becomes the expensive "way too
hot to handle" mistake of another pilot whose mission requirements
may differ markedly. So... we're going to cop out -- just a bit,
mind you. From here on out, we will name the best aircraft in
individual categories, and reserve the right in the future to
whittle down those categories as necessary which means that MAYBE
we WON'T name an overall winner each year... and MAYBE we
will -- we're picky that way. The fact of the matter is that no one
airplane is all things to all pilots, and within the spectrum that
we have decided on, these are the aircraft selections that truly
impressed us in each of the chosen categories -- and that each
year, MAYBE there will be an overall winner... and MAYBE not.
Are we absolutely (crystal) clear on this now (grin)?
Let me also note that while aircraft that previously were named
Best Of Breed in any category, or overall, are eligible for
inclusion in this year's list, we have decided to make it more
difficult (in our judging protocols) for a previous winner to take
the top spot in our judging criteria, so that a repeat winner truly
earns the distinction (and frankly, that hasn't happened in a
while). And finally... we totally reserve the right to weasel out a
bit and name more than one winner in a category where the margin of
victory is simply too close (or subjective) to call.
That said, herewith our selections for ANN's 2009 Plane of The
Year -- GA Turbine-Multi Engine
Piaggio Aero P.180 Avanti II
You can NOT look at a Piaggio Aero Avanti II and NOT respond to
the ultra-exotic looks that are (possibly) the most striking aspect
of this speedy, accomplished turboprop -- a design that is actually
swifter (and certainly more efficient) than many light jets.
The Piaggio Aero P.180 Avanti II's beauty is not skin deep. The
Avanti II requires 33% less fuel than most twin turboprops while
offering a true stand-up cabin size that competes favorably with
larger jet aircraft. The Avanti II also boasts the ability to
cruise at speeds more than 400 KTAS, while also offering an
uncommonly quiet cabin.
In addition to all that, the P.180 Avanti II has a range of 1500
nautical miles, as well as a maximum cruising altitude of 41,000
feet. The aircraft is licensed to operate with a single pilot and
can accommodate up to nine passengers. Equipped with Rockwell
Collins Pro-Line 21 avionics, the P.180 Avanti II has a speed of
402 knots.
Piaggio Aero has facilities in Genoa, Finale Ligure and Naples,
Italy and subsidiaries in Nice, France (Piaggio France) and in West
Palm Beach, Fla., U.S.A. (Piaggio America Inc.).
But... its the comments and compliments of Avanti owners and
operators that make this such a compelling proposition... the
aircraft's efficiencies are unquestioned and the most recent
updates have kept the aircraft more than competitive as the company
keeps up with solid efforts to improve their lot with better access
to service, parts and support.
Add to that, really solid handling and "ramp appeal" that can't
be denied (c'mon, you see one of these on the ramp and you can't
help but stare... and you know it), and you have what we see to be
the most compelling value in the GA Turbine Multi-Engine Category
for 2009.