Avantair, Still Grounded, Retains Aviation Safety Expert and Furloughs Pilots

Fractional provider Avantair continues to stand down operations and has retained safety expert Nick Sabatini to help complete a thorough examination of its fleet of about 60 Piaggio Avantis, including a comprehensive review of records and supporting maintenance documentation. It has also furloughed all of its pilots and operations staff. Avantair’s fleet has been “voluntarily” grounded for the past 10 days, a move that was prompted by an incident in late July where a Piaggio Avanti was operated on two flights with a missing elevator surface.