Plane spotting - Piaggio Avanti

I don't seem to see these flying around these parts often. Usually it's Cessnas or Lear Jets or something of a more common configuration. So when I looked up to see what it was (it makes a lower than normal prop sound) I took some pics. (I do nature photography when hiking - in case some interesting critters or plants are spotted, so I had my good camera this time. Even then AF with a full 300mm zoom is finicky at times.)





Also since I'm familiar enough with the local airport, I went and got a picture of it parked at KUGN.



Unusual looking bird, huh? Not all the weird ones are military.

Originally posted by pauljs75

Unusual looking bird, huh? Not all the weird ones are military.

I hardly believe anyone would assume that type of plane to be a military craft anyways.

Usual yes, military no.

reply to post by pauljs75


Pretty funny, and timely, that you brought this up!

A few weeks ago I heard an airplane overhead, and was struck by the oddness of the sound. To my ear it resembled a high-bypass turbofan at flight idle power....but also that characteristic "growling" noise of the same turbofan at high power settings.

It had sub-notes of a turboprop, too. So, since the "chemtrail" debate (gag) is so common nowadays, I was ready with Flight Aware to identify it.

Should have grabbed a screen shot. Too long ago, to show up on the Flight Aware search.

As I recall, it had left from near Oakland, CA....(I'm on the West Coast) and the destination was Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

When I looked up the N-Number, seems it was operated by (or associated with) this company:

www.avantair.com...

reply to post by pauljs75


I always loved the look of the Rutan VariEze and LongEze.

I was always surprised that the canard design was not evident in more aircraft.

Nice! NetJets operates several of them. I got a hat from one of the pilots as a matter of fact We get one a few times during summer that flies into our small local airport, as certain celbs come here to flyfish, a few have houses around here too- I'm in southwest Montana.
They do make a strange sound huh? Very distinct.

Piaggio P.180

Nice looking bird.

Originally posted by JJRichey
They do make a strange sound huh? Very distinct.

When I first heard the noise as it was approaching over the lake, I thought it was something more vintage. (Was expecting a WWII era aircraft, until I saw what it was.) The initial sound reminded me of some of those ol' radial engined aircraft. Didn't hear the turbine whine part much until it went past.

Still a cool (and unusual looking) aircraft, but very modern.

I'm also surprised there aren't more "plane spotting" threads here. I'm not a hard-core plane spotter (some people keep tabs on everything with tail-numbers, livery, etc.), but if there's anything really different than the norm I'll try to get pics if I have a camera handy.

Originally posted by HangTheTraitors

Originally posted by pauljs75

Unusual looking bird, huh? Not all the weird ones are military.

I hardly believe anyone would assume that type of plane to be a military craft anyways.

Usual yes, military no.

You should believe :-) Italian air force is one of the biggest operators of the type.

i.imgur.com...