RUAG completes first Avanti Magnaghi landing gear retrofit

Magmaghi landing gear on P180 Avanti II

RUAG Aviation and Piaggio Aerospace have completed the first Magnaghi landing gear retrofit on an Avanti II.

The Magnaghi retrofit incorporates a digitally controlled steering system, and is the same landing gear system as fitted to the Avanti EVO.

RUAG Aviation completed the retrofit in six weeks.

Piaggio worked on the project design and engineering, concluding with the issue of a service bulletin. RUAG Aviation took care of the installation on the aircraft and provided ongoing feedback to the Piaggio.

RUAG also produced part of the installation kit. The final element of the process began in early January, with the trial installation and integration on the launch customer’s aircraft.

The work was carried out by RUAG’s facilities in Lugano.

“We are delighted to have worked so closely with Piaggio Aerospace on this challenging project.”

Stephan Woodtli, general manager of RUAG Aviation in Lugano said: “We are delighted to have worked so closely with Piaggio Aerospace on this challenging project. The installation required both major electrical and structural modifications to the aircraft, but thanks to the close cooperation of everybody involved, it has been a complete success.”

Renato Vaghi, CEO of Piaggio Aerospace said: “We thank RUAG Aviation for their highly professional service and cooperation. The landing gear upgrade brings the P.180 Avanti family closer to the standard of the Avanti EVO aircraft family and this to very attractive conditions.”