Piaggio P.166

The Piaggio P.166 is a lightweight twin-engine multi-purpose aircraft with propeller drive. Manufacturer is the company Piaggio Aero Industries, based in Genoa, Italy.

Development

After Piaggio had achieved in Italy and in North America with the 1948 -built amphibious aircraft Piaggio p.136 some success, it was planned to transport a lighter version with tricycle landing gear. From p.136 cantilever were taken over shoulder decker gull wing, at the at the P.166 still wingtip tanks can be attached. Also typical for Piaggio pusher propeller configuration with the Avco Lycoming GSO -480 engines was taken. The prototype of the Piaggio P.166 first flew on 26 November 1957. FAA approval was granted on 31 July 1958. By 1963, 85 pieces were already sold 21 of them to the Italian Air Force, which used them for connection tasks.

Use

The first series production aircraft were sold to Australia and New Guinea and distributed in the U.S. by the tracker Corporation. The P.166S Albatros was built specially for the air force of South Africa, which received 20 machines.

In Italy, the Air Force put 27 machines to a liaison, reconnaissance and training purposes. The Italian Coast Guard and the Treasury Police procured 14 or 10 copies for maritime surveillance.

Alitalia used two machines for pilot training in their training center in Alghero in Sardinia.

Execution

It is in the Piaggio P.166 is a twin-engined all-metal aircraft with cantilever wing and retractable tricycle landing gear einholmigem. Wing, tail and fuselage are formed of aluminum and joined in flat-headed rivet technique. The ailerons are slotted configuration and carry on the starboard side of the trim area. As flaps are slotted flaps are used. In the outer wing are the left and right fuel tanks with initially 212 per liter of capacity. The wing tip tanks have a capacity of 208 l, later versions such as the P.166 - DL3 have wingtip tanks with 323 l Optionally, these later versions also carry tanks under the wings, each with 284 l. The hull is constructed semi- self-supporting. The tail also is cantilevered, both height and rudder have trim tabs. The undercarriage can be hydraulically extended and retracted. The hydraulic system operates at 127 bar and only supplies the landing gear and the flaps and brakes. The electrical system has 28 volts DC.

Versions

  • Piaggio P.166: first production model, 32 units produced.
  • Piaggio P.166B: the prototype of this version first flew on 27 March 1962, the name of Portofino; compared to the original design were 380 hp ( 283 kW) Lycoming IGSO -540 - A1C used with direct injection, also the bug has been extended and improved the cell; five machines were produced, although a series of 25 machines was provided.
  • Piaggio P.166C: modified fuselage center section (twelve passengers) and streamlined container for retractable main landing gear; two machines produced.
  • Piaggio P.166M: Military version for the Italian Air Force with a reinforced cabin floor and enlarged hatch ( could a Fiat G.91 engine transport ). From this variation, 51 units were built.
  • Piaggio P.166S: improved version for the South African Air Force; 20 machines for coastal patrols and rescue missions.
  • Piaggio P.166BL2: Version with extended fuel capacity, four machines were built.
  • Piaggio P.166DL3: multi-purpose version with two AVCO Lycoming LTP 101- 700A1 -A each 559 hp and improved equipment. The first flight took place on 3 July 1976, the FAA certification in 1978. Execution has been delivered, among others, Alitalia and Somalia. As avionics VOR, ADF, Gleitpfadempfänger, artificial horizon and an autopilot are provided.
  • Piaggio P.166DL3 APH: reconnaissance variant of the Italian Air Force.
  • Piaggio P.166DLR -MAR: all-weather maritime patrol.
  • Piaggio P.166 DP1: developed between 1998 and 2004 version with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 - A121 ( per 615 PS), high gross weight, improved avionics and modern reconnaissance sensors. Many machines used in Italy to be brought to this standard.

Military use

Specifications

Corps of the Port Captaincies – Coast Guard Utility aircraft Radome Lycoming O-480 Piaggio P.2 Piaggio P.3 Piaggio P.6 Piaggio P.7 Piaggio P.8 Piaggio P.9 Piaggio P.10 Piaggio P.23M Piaggio P.23R Piaggio P.32 Piaggio P.50 Piaggio P.108 Piaggio P.111 Piaggio P.119 Piaggio P.148 Piaggio P.149 Piaggio P.150
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