Partenavia P.68: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Small twin engines transport aircraft}}
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
|name = P.68 Victor
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|image = Partenavia AP.68TP-600 Viator DRW Butler-1.jpg
|name = P.68
|caption = Partenavia AP.68TP-600 Viator at [[Darwin Airport]] (2011)
|image = File:D-GFPG (17004135598).jpg
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
|caption = Partenavia P.68B
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type = Light transport
|type = Light transport
|manufacturer = [[Partenavia]] <br> [[Vulcanair]]
|manufacturer = [[Partenavia]] <br> [[Vulcanair]]
|designer = Luigi Pascale
|designer = [[Luigi Pascale]]
|first flight = [[1970 in aviation|1970]]
|first flight = 25 May [[1970 in aviation|1970]]<ref name=Flight11jun1970/>
|introduced =
|introduced =
|retired =
|retired =
|status =
|status = In service
|primary user =
|primary user =
|more users =
|more users =
|produced =
|produced =1970-present
|number built = 431+
|number built = 431+{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
|developed from =
|unit cost = [[United States dollar|US$]]831,000 (P.68C, 2016)<ref name=George86>George 2016, p. 86</ref> <br> US$848,000 (P.68R, 2016)<ref name=George86/> <br> US$877,500 (P.68C-TC, 2016)<ref>George 2016, p. 87</ref> <br> US$2,486,000 (AP.68TP-600, 2016)<ref>George 2016, p. 90</ref>
|variants with their own articles =
|developed from =
|variants with their own articles =
}}
}}
|}
|}
[[File:PARTNAV.JPG|thumb|right|Partenavia P.68 (VH-PNT) at [[Jandakot Airport]], [[Jandakot, Western Australia|Jandakot]], Australia]]
[[File:PARTCKP.JPG|thumb|right|Cockpit of Partenavia P.68 (VH-PNT) at [[Jandakot Airport]], [[Jandakot, Western Australia|Jandakot]], Australia]]
[[File:P68 Observer 2.JPG|thumb|right|Vulcanair P68 Observer 2 at [[Paris Air Show]] 2007]]
[[File:Partenavia P-68 Italian Police.JPG|thumb|P-68 of the [[Italian State Police]]]]
[[File:PolizeiflugzeugHessen.jpg|thumb|right|A Vulcanair P68 Observer of the [[Hesse State Police]] (Germany)]]
[[File:Partenavia P.68C.jpg|thumb|A P-68C in India used for Training Purpose ]]
The '''Partenavia P.68''', now '''Vulcanair P68''', is an [[Italy|Italian]] six-seat, twin-engined, high-wing monoplane built by [[Partenavia]] and later [[Vulcanair]]. Designed by Professor [[Luigi Pascale]] and originally put into production in 1972, it was intended for private or business use but has also seen use as both a training and a transport aircraft. It was originally named the '''Victor''', although this name was not used for the production aircraft. The P.68 Observer, which was an [[Italy|Italian]]/[[Germany|German]] development, has a transparent nose for use in police work and observation duties.


The '''Partenavia P.68''', now '''Vulcanair P68''', is a [[light aircraft]] designed by [[Luigi Pascale]] and initially built by Italian company [[Partenavia]].
==History==
<!--development-->It made its first flight on 25 May 1970, its type certification was granted on 17 November 1971 and was transferred to [[Vulcanair]] in 1998.
First flown on 25 May 1970, the prototype P.68 was built at [[Arzano]], Italy. It was powered by two 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) [[Lycoming IO-360]] piston engines. Production of the P.68 began in 1972 with 14 pre-production aircraft at new facilities in [[Casoria]], Italy. These were followed in 1974 by the '''P.68B''' with the fuselage lengthened by 6in (15.2&nbsp;cm) to create more space in the cockpit. It was superseded in 1979 by the '''P.68C''' which had a lengthened nose to accommodate a weather radar. A turbocharged version (the '''P.68C-TC''') was available in 1980. The type license was obtained by [[Vulcanair]], which is still producing the P.68C.
<!--design-->The original six-seat high-wing monoplane is powered by twin piston engines and is used for light transport and training. The P.68 Observer is an [[observation aircraft]] variant, and it was developed in a stretched, 10/11-seat twin [[turboprop]] derivative.


===Spartacus===
==Development==
[[File:F-HTLI (26655473180).jpg|thumb|A P.68 Observer presented by [[Vulcanair]] at the [[AERO Friedrichshafen]] 2016]]
With the help of [[Aeritalia]], development began of a nine-seat turboprop version. The first aircraft, an '''AP.68TP''', first flew in 1978 using [[Allison 250]] turboprops. Although the prototype had a retractable undercarriage, the production aircraft, named the '''Spartacus''', had a fixed undercarriage. Later, a retractable undercarriage version was built as the '''Viator'''.


===Observer===
===Partenavia P.68 Victor===
The type certification for the '''P.68 Victor''', a [[Twin-engine|twin]] piston engine, [[high wing]] monoplane with fixed [[tricycle landing gear]] was applied for on 22 January 1969.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
The [[Germany|German]] company [[Sportavia-Putzer]] modified the P.68 by replacing the nose section with a transparent structure, marketing it as an observation aircraft for law enforcement. Initially, Observers were simply conversions of existing aircraft, but later, they were entirely new aircraft built by Partenavia.
The Partenavia P.68 was designed as a six-seat [[light aircraft|light]] transport and trainer powered by two {{cvt|200|hp|0}} [[Lycoming IO-360]] engines, it made its first flight on 25 May 1970 at [[Naples]].<ref name=Flight11jun1970>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1970/1970%20-%201035.html |title= Italian Twin |magazine= Flight International |date= 11 June 1970 }}</ref>
The type certification for the 9.20&nbsp;m (30.18&nbsp;ft) long P.68 was granted by the [[Italian Civil Aviation Authority]] on 17 November 1971 for an 1860&nbsp;kg (4100&nbsp;lb) [[MTOW]].<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
It was approved by the [[FAA]] on 7 December 1971.<ref name=FAA-TCDS>{{cite news |url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/120df1b9b90580c686258418005b9ebf/$FILE/A31EU_Rev26.pdf |title= Type Certificate data sheet A31EU |date= June 13, 2019 |publisher= FAA}}</ref>
After 300 h of [[flight test]]s, production was to start in May 1972 in a new plant at Naples [[Capodichino Airport]] at a rate of three aircraft per month.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202821.html |title= Partenavia Victor certificated |magazine= Flight International |date= 30 December 1971}}</ref>
The prototype was built at [[Arzano]], Italy, production began with 14 pre-production aircraft at new facilities in [[Casoria]], Italy.

The longer, 9.35&nbsp;m (30.68&nbsp;ft) '''P.68B Victor''' certification was applied for on 18 October 1973 and granted on 24 May 1974 for a 1960&nbsp;kg (4321&nbsp;lb) MTOW.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
Its unit cost was [[United States dollar|US$]]82,000 in 1974<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1974/1974%20-%201476.html |title= Guide to business aircraft |magazine= Flight International |date=19 September 1974}}</ref> (US${{Inflation|US|82000|r=-3|1974}} today).
Its fuselage was lengthened to create more space in the cockpit.

[[File:Partenavia P.68 (8857506505).jpg|thumb|P.68R with retractable undercarriage]]

Both derived from the P.68B and 9.55&nbsp;m (31.33&nbsp;ft) long, the '''P.68R Victor''' has a [[retractable landing gear]] and was certified on 31 July 1978 while the '''P.68C''' has a nose allowing a [[weather radar]], larger fuel tanks and increased weights, and was certified on 23 July 1979 with a 1990&nbsp;kg (4387&nbsp;lb) MTOW.<!--ref name=EASA-TCDS/-->
The '''P.68C-TC''', certified on 29 April 1980, has turbocharged, {{cvt|210|hp|0}} [[List of Lycoming O-360 variants#TIO-360|Lycoming TIO-360]]-C1A6D engines.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
In 2021, the equipped price of the P.68C was US$1.25M, US$1.5M for the P.68R and US$1.55M for the P.68C-TC.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://infogram.com/bca-table-2023-pistons-1h7z2l89o987x6o |title= Purchase planning handbook - pistons table |date= Second Quarter 2021 |work= Business & Commercial Aircraft}}</ref>

===Partenavia P.68 Observer===
[[File:Partenavia P.68 Observer, Spain - Institut Cartografic de Catalunya - ICC JP7702383.jpg|thumb|P.68 Observer with a transparent nose]]

The 9.43&nbsp;m (30.94&nbsp;ft) long '''P.68 Observer''', derived from the P.68B with a transparent fuselage nose, adapted systems and larger fuel tanks, was certified on 12 June 1980.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
The observation aircraft for law enforcement were initially conversions of existing aircraft by German [[Sportavia-Putzer]].

The 9.15&nbsp;m (30.02&nbsp;ft) long '''P.68TC Observer''', a P.68 "Observer" with turbocharged engines, was certified on 18 June 1985.<!--ref name=EASA-TCDS/-->

The 9.54&nbsp;m (31.30&nbsp;ft) long '''P.68 "Observer 2''' is a P.68 "Observer", with increased weights, upturned [[wing tip]]s and modified systems, and was certified on 30 November 1989 for a 2084&nbsp;kg (4594&nbsp;lb) MTOW.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
−

===Partenavia AP68TP-600 Viator===
[[File:Partenavia AP.68TP-600 Viator DRW Butler-1.jpg|thumb|Turboprop-powered AP.68TP-600 Viator with stretched fuselage and retractable gear]]

The 10.89-11.27 m (35.73-36.97&nbsp;ft) long, retractable gear '''AP68TP-600 "Viator"''', with two {{cvt|328|hp}} [[Allison 250]]-B17C turboprops, has a 2850–3000&nbsp;kg (6283-6614&nbsp;lb) MTOW and was certified on 16 October 1986.<!--ref name=EASA-TCDS/-->
In 2023, its equipped price was $3.5M.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://infogram.com/bca-table-2023-turboprops-1ho16vorwrxm84n |title=Purchase planning handbook - turboprops table |date= Second Quarter 2023|work=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology|Business & Commercial Aviation]]}}</ref>

===Partenavia AP68TP-300 Spartacus===
The 9.90&nbsp;m (32.48&nbsp;ft) long, fixed gear '''AP68TP-300 Spartacus''' was certified on 10 December 1983 with two {{cvt|328|hp}} [[Allison 250]]-B17C turboprops and a 2600&nbsp;kg (5732&nbsp;lb) [[MTOW]].<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
The nine-seater development was helped by [[Aeritalia]]. The prototype first flew in 1978 with a retractable undercarriage.

Based in [[Casoria]], Naples, and already manufacturing Partenavia spares, [[Vulcanair]] (then Air Samanta) acquired the type certificate, aircraft spares and the former production plant in Milan for L1.4 billion ($780,000) in April 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vulcan-air-resurrects-partenavia-p68-line-35494/ |title= Vulcan Air resurrects Partenavia P.68 line |date= 15 April 1998 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>
The type certificate was transferred on 25 November.<ref name=EASA-TCDS>{{cite web |url= https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/TCDS%20EASA%20P68%20-%20EASA%20A%20385%20issue%206.pdf |title= Type certificate data sheet A.385 Vulcanair P.68 |date= 18 October 2017 |publisher= EASA}}</ref>
Vulcanair offers the P.68R, P68C, P.68C-TC, P.68TC Observer, P.68 Observer 2 and AP68TP-600 Viator.<ref name=brochure/>


==Variants==
==Variants==

* '''P.68''' - Initial production version, 14 built.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
* '''P.68B''' - P.68 with fuselage lengthened by 6-inches and six-seat interior, 190 built.
|+ Type certificate data sheet<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
* '''P.68 Observer''' - Modified P.68B with fully glazed nose, over 21 built or modified.
! Variant || Certified || [[MTOW]] || Engines || Length || Built{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
* '''P.68C''' - P.68B with longer nose and integral wing fuel tanks, over 114 built.
|-
* '''P.68C-TC''' - P.68C fitted with 200&nbsp;hp Lycoming TI0-360-C1A6D turbocharged engines.
! P.68 Victor
* '''P.68R''' - P.68B with retractable undercarriage, one built.
| 17 Nov 1971 || 1860 (4100&nbsp;lb)
* '''P.68T''' - P.68R with lengthened fuselage, larger tail and Allison 250-B17B turboporops, four built.
| rowspan=6 | {{cvt|200|hp|0}}<br>[[Lycoming IO-360|IO-360]]-A1B6 || 9.20&nbsp;m (30.18&nbsp;ft) || 14
* '''AP.68TP''' - First turboprop powered prototype. First flew on the 11th of September 1978. Original designation '''P.68 Turbo'''.
|-
* '''AP.68TP-100''' - Second turboprop powered prototype.
! P.68B Victor
* '''AP.68TP-300 Spartacus''' - P.68T with fixed undercarriage, over 13 built.
| 24 May 1974
* '''AP.68TP-600 Viator''' - Spartacus with retractable undercarriage, lengthened nose and stretched fuselage, over 6 built.
| rowspan=3 | 1960&nbsp;kg (4321&nbsp;lb) || 9.35&nbsp;m (30.68&nbsp;ft) || >190
* '''AP.68TP-600 A-Viator''' as above, with airframe and avionics upgrades, demonstrator flying 2009.
|-
* '''Spartacus RG''' - Fitted with a retractable undercarriage.
! P. 68 [[Observation aircraft|Observer]]
* '''Spartacus -10''' - stretched version of the Spartacus RG.
| 12 Jun 1980
| 9.43&nbsp;m (30.94&nbsp;ft) || >21
|-
! P.68[[retractable landing gear|R]] Victor
| 31 Jul 1978
| rowspan= 4 | 9.55&nbsp;m (31.33&nbsp;ft) || 1
|-
! P.68 Observer 2
| 30 Nov 1989
| 2084&nbsp;kg (4594&nbsp;lb)
|
|-
! P.68C
| 23 Jul 1979
| rowspan=3 | 1990&nbsp;kg (4387&nbsp;lb) || >114
|-
! P.68C-[[turbocharged|TC]]
| 29 Apr 1980
| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|210|hp|0}}<br/>[[List of Lycoming O-360 variants#TIO-360|TIO-360]]-C1A6D ||
|-
! P.68TC Observer
| 18 Jun 1985
| 9.15&nbsp;m (30.02&nbsp;ft) ||
|-
! AP68TP-300 Spartacus
| 10 Dec 1983
| 2600&nbsp;kg (5732&nbsp;lb)
| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|328|hp}}<br/>[[Allison 250]]-B17C
| 9.90&nbsp;m (32.48&nbsp;ft) || >13
|-
! AP68TP-600 Viator
| 16 Oct 1986
| 2850–3000&nbsp;kg<br/>(6283-6614&nbsp;lb)
| 10.89-11.27 m<br/>(35.73-36.97&nbsp;ft) || >6
|}


==Operators==
==Operators==
===Military and government operators===
===Military and government operators===
[[File:Partenavia P-68 Observer, Italy - Polizia AN1561730.jpg|thumb|[[Italian State Police]] P.68 Observer]]
;{{BAH}}
[[File:WP Landtagsprojekt Hessen - Polizeifliegerstaffel Egelsbach - IBIS 7 - 004.jpg|thumb|[[Hesse State Police]] P.68 Observer 2]]
*[[Royal Bahamas Defence Force]]
;{{flag|Bophuthatswana}}
*[[Bophutatswana Air Force]] — Operated two P.68C Observers.<ref>Hatch ''Air Pictorial'' July 1985, p. 249.</ref> Former operator.
;{{flag|Chile}}
*[[Chilean Navy]] — 7 P.68 Observer 2s in service since September 2016<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jennings|first1=Gareth|title=Chilean Navy inducts new observation aircraft|url=http://www.janes.com/article/63400/|website=IHS Jane's|accessdate=2 September 2016|date=2 September 2016}}</ref>
;{{ITA}}
*[[Italian State Police]]
;{{SLE}}
*[[Military of Sierra Leone]]
;{{UK}}
*[[National Police Air Service]] (on order)
;{{USA}}
*[[New York State Police]]


; {{BAH}}:
===Civil operators===
* [[Royal Bahamas Defence Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2021/141456.article|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2021 |doi = |accessdate= 4 May 2021|url-access=registration}}</ref>
;{{AUS}}
; {{CHI}}:
*[[Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service]] (in use prior to late 2009)
* [[Chilean Navy]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{GER}}
; {{GER}}:
*[[Hesse State Police]]
* [[Hesse State Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/d-ghea |title= Flight history for aircraft - D-GHEA |publisher= flightradar24.com |date=|accessdate=12 May 2021}}</ref>
;{{ITA}}
; {{ITA}}:
*[[Geotechnos S.r.l.]]
* [[Italian State Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulcanair.com/special-mission-p68-observer |title= Special Mission P68 Observer |publisher= vulcanair.com |date=|accessdate=12 May 2021}}</ref>
*[[Aeronike S.r.l.]]
; {{GBR}}:
*[[C.G.R. S.p.a.]]
* [[National Police Air Service]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Peter |title=New police planes to patrol skies over North East Lincolnshire |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/new-planes-patrol-skies-over-3224381 |access-date=29 February 2020 |work=Grimsby Live |date=20 August 2019}}</ref>
*[[I.A.S. S.r.l.]]
;{{ESP}}
; {{USA}}:
* [[California Department of Fish and Game]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/dfg-and-partners-use-aircraft-and-submersible-camera-to-count-pacific-sardine/ |title= DFG and Partners use Aircraft and Submersible Camera to Count Pacific Sardine |publisher= cdfgnews.wordpress.com |date=|accessdate=4 May 2021}}</ref>
*[[Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya]]
* [[New York State Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://troopers.ny.gov/specialty-units |title= New York State Police Aviation Unit |publisher= troopers.ny.gov |date=|accessdate=4 May 2021}}</ref>
;{{USA}}
* [[Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency]]<ref>{{cite web |title=N76TW Aircraft Registration |url=https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N76TW |website=FlightAware.com |publisher=FlightAware |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
*[[California Department of Fish and Game]]
* [[Washington State Department of Natural Resources]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumbertxt=357PN|title=Aircraft Inquiry}}</ref>
*[[New Mexico Game and Fish]]
*[[Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myfwc.com/law-enforcement/special-programs/ |title=Special Programs }}</ref>
*[[Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency]]
*[[Pipeline Patrol]]
*[[Skymates Inc]]
;{{SEY}}
*[[ZilAir Seychelles]]
;{{NZL}}
*[[Great Barrier Airlines]]
;{{FRA}}
*[[Alpine Airlines]]
*[[APEI]]


===Former===
The [[ICAO]] designator for all versions with piston engine as used in [[flight plan]]s is ''P68'', for the versions with turboprops up to the AP.68TP-300 it is ''P68T'', and for the AP.68TP-600 versions it is ''VTOR''.
; {{flag|Bophuthatswana}}:
* [[Bophutatswana Air Force]]<ref>* {{cite magazine|last=Hatch|first=Paul F.|title=Air Forces of the World: Bophuthatswana Air Force|magazine=Air Pictorial|date=July 1985|volume = 47|issue= 7|page=249}}</ref>


==Incidents and accidents==
==Incidents and accidents==
On July 10, 1978, a P68B registered VH-PNW crashed shortly after take-off from [[Essendon Airport]]. Six people on the ground were killed, and one person injured. Three people on the aircraft were seriously injured.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partenavia P68B Aircraft VH-PNW near Essendon Airport, Victoria, on 10 July 1978|url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24632/197802547.pdf|website=Australian Transport Safety Bureau|publisher=Air Safety Investigation Branch|accessdate=15 November 2015}}</ref>
On September 11, 1983, a sales representative was flying a P.68C at an airshow in [[Plainview, Texas]], performing high-speed, high-G maneuvers in excess of the aircraft’s design parameters and, during one such maneuver, the wings separated from the rest of the aircraft just outboard of the engine nacelles. The fuselage also twisted longitudinally just before the empennage. The pilot was killed on impact with terrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myplainview.com/article_ccbb44dd-0be0-5bc5-a359-4ff79e22f2ff.html|title=Looking Back: Oh my God! 04-27-2008|publisher=}}</ref>


The P.68 was involved in 86 accidents and incidents worldwide as reported in the [[Aviation Safety Network]] wiki database, including 58 [[hull loss]]es.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=P68 |title= Wiki Database - Type = P.68 |publisher= [[Aviation Safety Network]] |date= 1 July 2019}}</ref>
On March 2, 2013, a P.68 Observer registered OY-CAG from BioFlight crashed during landing in [[Roskilde Airport]]. The two persons on board were killed.<ref>http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php/id-65448686:dødsulykke-piloterne-skulle-tælle-fugle.html</ref><ref>http://www.bioflight.dk/vores_fly.html</ref>


September 11, 1983: A P.68C, N29561, performing an aerobatic display broke up in flight during an airshow in [[Plainview, Texas]]. The NTSB report revealed that analysis of the video showed the aircraft performed a fly-by over the runway, exceeding its Vne (Velocity, never-exceed) speed by 27 knots. The pilot then executed a sharp nose-up pitch change of about 8 degrees, which spiked the aircraft's dynamic load factor to 8.3Gs and caused both wings to fail in the main spar just outside both engine nacelles then separate from the aircraft, which then began rotating, causing the rear fuselage to twist along its length between its cabin and [[empennage]]. The aircraft then plummeted 250 feet down just beyond the group of spectators.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/40417 |title= ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 40417 |publisher= [[Aviation Safety Network]] |date= 24 January 2020}}</ref>
On 21 May 2015 a Partenavia AP68TP landed at [[Lanseria Airport]] in South Africa without the nose wheel extended, in what was described as a "perfect emergency landing".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://traveller24.news24.com/News/Flights/WATCH-The-perfect-emergency-landing-caught-on-camera-at-Lanseria-Airport-20150522|title=WATCH: The 'perfect' emergency landing caught on camera at Lanseria Airport|publisher=}}</ref>


==Specifications (P.68C)==
==Specifications (P.68C)==
[[File:WP Landtagsprojekt Hessen - Polizeifliegerstaffel Egelsbach - IBIS 7 - 010.jpg|thumb|The Observer cockpit with an [[EFIS]] flight deck]]
{{Aircraft specifications
[[File:WP Landtagsprojekt Hessen - Polizeifliegerstaffel Egelsbach - IBIS 7 - 013.jpg|thumb|The P.68 cabin]]
<!-- if you do not understand how to use this template, please ask at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aircraft]] -->
{{Aircraft specs
<!-- please answer the following questions -->
|ref= Vulcanair brochure<ref name=brochure>{{cite web |url= http://www.vulcanair.com/files/files/Brochure%20Vulcanair%2008-10-18.pdf |title= Brochure |publisher= Vulcanair|date= 17 March 2015}}</ref>
|plane or copter?=plane
|prime units?=kts<!-- "imp", "kts" or "met" to display the units in a given order.
|jet or prop?=prop
Without an entry here, no specifications will show -->
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83<ref name="Janes82 p144">Taylor 1982, p.144.</ref>
<!--
<!-- Now, fill out the specs. Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, like capacity, leave it blank. For additional lines, end your alt units with )</li> and start a new, fully formatted line with <li> -->
General characteristics
|crew=1
-->
|capacity=6 passengers
|crew=one
|length main=9.55 m
|capacity=plus five passengers
|length alt= 31 ft 4 in
|length m=9.55
|span main=12.00 m
|length ft=31
|span alt= 39 ft 4½ in
|length in=
|height main= 3.40 m
|span m=12
|height alt= 11 ft 1¾ in
|span ft=
|area main=18.60 m<sup>2</sup>
|span in=
|area alt= 200.2 ft<sup>2</sup>
|height m=3.40
|empty weight main=1,230 kg
|height ft=11
|empty weight alt= 2,711 lb
|height in=15
|loaded weight main=
|wing area sqm=
|loaded weight alt=
|wing area sqft=
|max takeoff weight main=1,990 kg
|aspect ratio=
|max takeoff weight alt= 4,387 lb
|airfoil=
|engine (prop)=[[Lycoming O-360|Lycoming IO-360-A1B6]]
|empty weight kg=1420
|type of prop= fuel injected, air-cooled [[flat-four]]
|empty weight lb=3130
|number of props=2
|max takeoff weight kg=2084
|power main=149 kw
|max takeoff weight lb=4594
|power alt= 200 hp
|fuel capacity={{convert|177|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}}
|max speed main=322 km/h
<!--
|max speed alt=174 knots, 200 mph
Powerplant
|max speed more=at sea level
-->
|cruise speed main=298 km/h
|eng1 number=2
|cruise speed alt=161 knots, 185 mph
|eng1 name=[[Lycoming IO-360]]-A1B6
|cruise speed more=at 3,350 m (11,000 ft) (65% power)
|eng1 type=air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine
|stall speed main=106 km/h
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|stall speed alt=57.5 knots, 66 mph
|eng1 hp=200<!-- prop engines -->
|stall speed more=flaps down

|range main= 2,112 km
|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|range alt= 1,140 [[nautical mile|nmi]], 1,312 mi
|prop name=
|ceiling main= 5,850 m
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|ceiling alt= 19,200 ft
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|climb rate main= 7.6 m/s
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|climb rate alt=1,500 ft/min

|loading main=
<!--
|loading alt=
Performance
|power/mass main=
-->
|power/mass alt=
|perfhide=
|armament=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=301
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=160
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|10000|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}} (econ cruise)
|stall speed kmh=106
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=57
|stall speed note=(flaps down, power off)
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=2043
|range miles=
|range nmi=1103
|range note=(econ cruise, standard fuel)
|ceiling m=5490
|ceiling ft=18,000
|climb rate ms=6
|climb rate ftmin=1100
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}
}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Aero Commander 500 family]]
* [[Aero Commander 500 family]]
* [[Beechcraft Baron]]
* [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander]]
* [[Cessna 310]]
* [[Diamond DA62]]
* [[Piper PA-34 Seneca]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
{{Commons and category}}
*{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|year= |publisher= Orbis Publishing|location= |issn=}}
* {{official website|http://www.vulcanair.com/}}
* {{cite magazine|last=George |first=Fred |url= http://www.sellajet.com/adpages/BCA-2016.pdf |title=2016 Business Airplanes Purchase Planning Handbook |magazine=Business & Commercial Aviation |pages=72-102 |publisher=Penton |date=May 2016 |access-date=16 February 2017}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Hatch|first=Paul F.|title=Air Forces of the World: Bophuthatswana Air Force|magazine=Air Pictorial|date=July 1985|volume = 47|issue= 7|page=249}}
* {{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rnFWX_1Z9nEC&pg=PA44 |title= Roman Holiday |author= Nigel Moll |date= April 1983 |magazine= Flying }}
*{{cite book |last= Simpson| first= R.W. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Airlife's General Aviation|year= 1991|publisher= Airlife Publishing|location= Shrewsbury, England|isbn=1-85310-194-X}}
* {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985) |publisher= Orbis Publishing}}
*{{cite book|last= Taylor|first= John W. R.|authorlink= John W. R. Taylor|coauthors= |title= Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 |year= 1982|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |isbn= 0-7106-0748-2|url= |accessdate=}}
* {{cite book |last= Simpson| first= R.W. |title= Airlife's General Aviation|year= 1991|publisher= Airlife Publishing|location= Shrewsbury, England|isbn=978-1-85310-194-6}}
* {{cite news |url= https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/an-italian-light-twin-returns-to-claim-its-star |title= An Italian Light Twin Returns To Claim Its Star |author= James Wynbrandt |date= July 21, 2015 |magazine= Plane & Pilot }}
{{refend}}


{{Partenavia/Vulcanair aircraft}}
{{Partenavia/Vulcanair aircraft}}
{{Portal bar|Italy|Companies|Aviation}}


[[Category:Italian civil utility aircraft 1970–1979]]
[[Category:Partenavia aircraft|P.68]]
[[Category:Partenavia aircraft|P.68]]
[[Category:Vulcanair aircraft]]
[[Category:Vulcanair aircraft]]
[[Category:1970s Italian civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1970]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 23:40, 24 February 2024

P.68
Partenavia P.68B
Role Light transport
Manufacturer Partenavia
Vulcanair
Designer Luigi Pascale
First flight 25 May 1970[1]
Status In service
Produced 1970-present
Number built 431+[citation needed]

The Partenavia P.68, now Vulcanair P68, is a light aircraft designed by Luigi Pascale and initially built by Italian company Partenavia. It made its first flight on 25 May 1970, its type certification was granted on 17 November 1971 and was transferred to Vulcanair in 1998. The original six-seat high-wing monoplane is powered by twin piston engines and is used for light transport and training. The P.68 Observer is an observation aircraft variant, and it was developed in a stretched, 10/11-seat twin turboprop derivative.

Development[edit]

A P.68 Observer presented by Vulcanair at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2016

Partenavia P.68 Victor[edit]

The type certification for the P.68 Victor, a twin piston engine, high wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear was applied for on 22 January 1969.[2] The Partenavia P.68 was designed as a six-seat light transport and trainer powered by two 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming IO-360 engines, it made its first flight on 25 May 1970 at Naples.[1] The type certification for the 9.20 m (30.18 ft) long P.68 was granted by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority on 17 November 1971 for an 1860 kg (4100 lb) MTOW.[2] It was approved by the FAA on 7 December 1971.[3] After 300 h of flight tests, production was to start in May 1972 in a new plant at Naples Capodichino Airport at a rate of three aircraft per month.[4] The prototype was built at Arzano, Italy, production began with 14 pre-production aircraft at new facilities in Casoria, Italy.

The longer, 9.35 m (30.68 ft) P.68B Victor certification was applied for on 18 October 1973 and granted on 24 May 1974 for a 1960 kg (4321 lb) MTOW.[2] Its unit cost was US$82,000 in 1974[5] (US$507000 today). Its fuselage was lengthened to create more space in the cockpit.

P.68R with retractable undercarriage

Both derived from the P.68B and 9.55 m (31.33 ft) long, the P.68R Victor has a retractable landing gear and was certified on 31 July 1978 while the P.68C has a nose allowing a weather radar, larger fuel tanks and increased weights, and was certified on 23 July 1979 with a 1990 kg (4387 lb) MTOW. The P.68C-TC, certified on 29 April 1980, has turbocharged, 210 hp (157 kW) Lycoming TIO-360-C1A6D engines.[2] In 2021, the equipped price of the P.68C was US$1.25M, US$1.5M for the P.68R and US$1.55M for the P.68C-TC.[6]

Partenavia P.68 Observer[edit]

P.68 Observer with a transparent nose

The 9.43 m (30.94 ft) long P.68 Observer, derived from the P.68B with a transparent fuselage nose, adapted systems and larger fuel tanks, was certified on 12 June 1980.[2] The observation aircraft for law enforcement were initially conversions of existing aircraft by German Sportavia-Putzer.

The 9.15 m (30.02 ft) long P.68TC Observer, a P.68 "Observer" with turbocharged engines, was certified on 18 June 1985.

The 9.54 m (31.30 ft) long P.68 "Observer 2 is a P.68 "Observer", with increased weights, upturned wing tips and modified systems, and was certified on 30 November 1989 for a 2084 kg (4594 lb) MTOW.[2] −

Partenavia AP68TP-600 Viator[edit]

Turboprop-powered AP.68TP-600 Viator with stretched fuselage and retractable gear

The 10.89-11.27 m (35.73-36.97 ft) long, retractable gear AP68TP-600 "Viator", with two 328 hp (245 kW) Allison 250-B17C turboprops, has a 2850–3000 kg (6283-6614 lb) MTOW and was certified on 16 October 1986. In 2023, its equipped price was $3.5M.[7]

Partenavia AP68TP-300 Spartacus[edit]

The 9.90 m (32.48 ft) long, fixed gear AP68TP-300 Spartacus was certified on 10 December 1983 with two 328 hp (245 kW) Allison 250-B17C turboprops and a 2600 kg (5732 lb) MTOW.[2] The nine-seater development was helped by Aeritalia. The prototype first flew in 1978 with a retractable undercarriage.

Based in Casoria, Naples, and already manufacturing Partenavia spares, Vulcanair (then Air Samanta) acquired the type certificate, aircraft spares and the former production plant in Milan for L1.4 billion ($780,000) in April 1998.[8] The type certificate was transferred on 25 November.[2] Vulcanair offers the P.68R, P68C, P.68C-TC, P.68TC Observer, P.68 Observer 2 and AP68TP-600 Viator.[9]

Variants[edit]

Type certificate data sheet[2]
Variant Certified MTOW Engines Length Built[citation needed]
P.68 Victor 17 Nov 1971 1860 (4100 lb) 200 hp (149 kW)
IO-360-A1B6		 9.20 m (30.18 ft) 14
P.68B Victor 24 May 1974 1960 kg (4321 lb) 9.35 m (30.68 ft) >190
P. 68 Observer 12 Jun 1980 9.43 m (30.94 ft) >21
P.68R Victor 31 Jul 1978 9.55 m (31.33 ft) 1
P.68 Observer 2 30 Nov 1989 2084 kg (4594 lb)
P.68C 23 Jul 1979 1990 kg (4387 lb) >114
P.68C-TC 29 Apr 1980 210 hp (157 kW)
TIO-360-C1A6D
P.68TC Observer 18 Jun 1985 9.15 m (30.02 ft)
AP68TP-300 Spartacus 10 Dec 1983 2600 kg (5732 lb) 328 hp (245 kW)
Allison 250-B17C 		9.90 m (32.48 ft) >13
AP68TP-600 Viator 16 Oct 1986 2850–3000 kg
(6283-6614 lb) 		10.89-11.27 m
(35.73-36.97 ft)		 >6

Operators[edit]

Military and government operators[edit]

Italian State Police P.68 Observer
Hesse State Police P.68 Observer 2
 Bahamas
 Chile
 Germany
 Italy
 United Kingdom
 United States

Former[edit]

 Bophuthatswana

Incidents and accidents[edit]

The P.68 was involved in 86 accidents and incidents worldwide as reported in the Aviation Safety Network wiki database, including 58 hull losses.[20]

September 11, 1983: A P.68C, N29561, performing an aerobatic display broke up in flight during an airshow in Plainview, Texas. The NTSB report revealed that analysis of the video showed the aircraft performed a fly-by over the runway, exceeding its Vne (Velocity, never-exceed) speed by 27 knots. The pilot then executed a sharp nose-up pitch change of about 8 degrees, which spiked the aircraft's dynamic load factor to 8.3Gs and caused both wings to fail in the main spar just outside both engine nacelles then separate from the aircraft, which then began rotating, causing the rear fuselage to twist along its length between its cabin and empennage. The aircraft then plummeted 250 feet down just beyond the group of spectators.[21]

Specifications (P.68C)[edit]

The Observer cockpit with an EFIS flight deck
The P.68 cabin

Data from Vulcanair brochure[9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: plus five passengers
  • Length: 31 ft 0 in (9.55 m)
  • Wingspan: 39 ft 4 in (12 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.40 m)
  • Empty weight: 3,130 lb (1,420 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,594 lb (2,084 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 177 US gal (147 imp gal; 670 L)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, 200 hp (150 kW) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performanceat sea level

  • Cruise speed: 160 kn (187 mph, 301 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m) (econ cruise)
  • Stall speed: 57 kn (66 mph, 106 km/h) (flaps down, power off)
  • Range: 1,103 nmi (1,269 mi, 2,043 km) (econ cruise, standard fuel)
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,490 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,100 ft/min (6.0 m/s)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Italian Twin". Flight International. 11 June 1970.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Type certificate data sheet A.385 Vulcanair P.68" (PDF). EASA. 18 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Type Certificate data sheet A31EU" (PDF). FAA. 13 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Partenavia Victor certificated". Flight International. 30 December 1971.
  5. ^ "Guide to business aircraft". Flight International. 19 September 1974.
  6. ^ "Purchase planning handbook - pistons table". Business & Commercial Aircraft. Second Quarter 2021.
  7. ^ "Purchase planning handbook - turboprops table". Business & Commercial Aviation. Second Quarter 2023.
  8. ^ "Vulcan Air resurrects Partenavia P.68 line". Flightglobal. 15 April 1998.
  9. ^ a b "Brochure" (PDF). Vulcanair. 17 March 2015.
  10. ^ a b "World Air Forces 2021". Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Flight history for aircraft - D-GHEA". flightradar24.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Special Mission P68 Observer". vulcanair.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  13. ^ Craig, Peter (20 August 2019). "New police planes to patrol skies over North East Lincolnshire". Grimsby Live. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  14. ^ "DFG and Partners use Aircraft and Submersible Camera to Count Pacific Sardine". cdfgnews.wordpress.com. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  15. ^ "New York State Police Aviation Unit". troopers.ny.gov. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  16. ^ "N76TW Aircraft Registration". FlightAware.com. FlightAware. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Aircraft Inquiry".
  18. ^ "Special Programs".
  19. ^ * Hatch, Paul F. (July 1985). "Air Forces of the World: Bophuthatswana Air Force". Air Pictorial. Vol. 47, no. 7. p. 249.
  20. ^ "Wiki Database - Type = P.68". Aviation Safety Network. 1 July 2019.
  21. ^ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 40417". Aviation Safety Network. 24 January 2020.

Further reading[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Partenavia P.68
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