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.

FMI: www.piaggioaero.com