Each component of the Avanti II was shaped to slice through the air smoothly and quietly. A single, uninterrupted aerodynamic curve sweeps from the Avanti II nose to its tail – decreasing drag and improving laminar flow. This shape, is supported by three aeronautical design elements are responsible for the unparalleled efficiency of the Avanti II.
Key to the Avanti II's speed and efficiency is the three lifting surface configuration. The Avanti II's forward wing (which is not a canard because it has no control surfaces) is a fixed lifting surface which has flaps that move in concert with main wing flaps. The forward wing pitch angle is set so it stalls before the main wing, producing an automatic nose-down effect; its five degree negative dihedral keeps the stream wash interference clear of the engine inlets, the main wing and the horizontal stabiliser. The global effect of the three lifting surfaces in the Avanti II allows some 34% total wing area reduction over conventional design, hence a proportional benefit in weight and drag.
By taking advantage of the pusher configuration's undisturbed airflow over the main wing to enhance laminarity, laminar flow over 50% of the wing chord was achieved, which compares to a maximum of 20% of wing chord normally obtained on tractor type propeller aircraft.
Piaggio engineers achieved further aerodynamic efficiency with a glass smooth skin by utilizing proven construction techniques but reversing the normal process. The aluminum fuselage skins are formed to exact dimensions and held in place by vacuum molds. Stringers and formers are attached from the inside – thus avoiding typical fuselage imperfections found on other aircraft.
The result is that the Avanti II achieves a specific range of 0.84 nm per pound of fuel – a figure unrivaled by any other business jet or turboprop today.
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