Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Piaggio Aerospace has retrofitted an initial P.180 Avanti I to a new Avanti II+ configuration for the Italian Air Force, the Italian manufacturer said today. Technicians and engineers upgraded, certified, and delivered the turboprop twin based on what the company calls the latest aeronautical technologies.
The delivery of the “leader aircraft,” which Piaggio will use as a model for 12 more Avanti II+ airplanes, marks a significant milestone in the Italian Armed Forces’ long-term fleet modernization program. The Italian military plans also include production of 15 new Avanti Evo turboprops carrying a new configuration of Avanti Evo+.
As part of the same program, a few days ago the first P.180 Evo+ left Piaggio Aerospace’s aerospace center of excellence in Villanova d’Albenga for its customer support facilities in Genoa, where it will undergo painting and furnishing after further tests. Both the modernized aircraft and the new-production Evo+s will come equipped with updated avionics, landing gear with enhanced steering, and anti-skid brakes.
The company entered extraordinary receivership proceedings in late 2018 and in June its commissioners received 18 expressions of interest for the purchase of Piaggio Aero Industries and Piaggio Aviation, both of which operate under the Piaggio Aerospace brand. Commissioners intend to identify a new owner for the company by year-end and have given themselves until May 13, 2024, to complete the transaction.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Piaggio Delivers First Retrofitted P.180 Avanti to Italian Air Force

Upgraded Avanti now carries new configuration of Avanti II+

Piaggio Aerospace has finished retrofitting a first P.180 turboprop for the Italian Air Force.

Piaggio Delivers First Retrofitted Avanti II+

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Austrian MRO base is part of a network that also includes Germany and Florida

Aero-Dienst Vienna Station Marks 20 Years of MRO Support

Curt Epstein

Addition gives it service locations in Dallas and Miami

FlyHouse Expands Mx Capabilities with JetsMRO Purchase

Matt Thurber

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

New facility will speed up turnaround times for U.S. customers

Essential Turbines Triples Rolls-Royce MRO Capacity

Amy Wilder

Company also won multi-ship New York State Police contract

Metro Aviation Completed 24 Aircraft Last Year

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Repair station certificate bolsters company’s ability to serve worldwide customers

Precision Support Services Gains EASA Part 145 Approval

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Modification removes 100 pounds to increase payload capacity

StandardAero Names Launch Customers for Bell Tailboom STC

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

In this article

Piaggio P.180

Piaggio

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Aero-Dienst Vienna Station Marks 20 Years of MRO Support

Austrian MRO base is part of a network that also includes Germany and Florida

FlyHouse Expands Mx Capabilities with JetsMRO Purchase

Addition gives it service locations in Dallas and Miami

Essential Turbines Triples Rolls-Royce MRO Capacity

New facility will speed up turnaround times for U.S. customers

Metro Aviation Completed 24 Aircraft Last Year

Company also won multi-ship New York State Police contract

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Repair station certificate bolsters company’s ability to serve worldwide customers

StandardAero Names Launch Customers for Bell Tailboom STC

Modification removes 100 pounds to increase payload capacity

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