Avanti Owners Hold First U.S. Gathering in Galveston

The newly formed Piaggio Owners and Pilots Association (PAPA) held its inaugural meeting in Galveston, Texas, earlier this month. During the three-day event, owners, operators, pilots, and their family members joined Piaggio Aerospace personnel, who led presentations and sessions. Sixteen Avantis flew into nearby Scholes International Airport (KGLS) for the event, including Piaggio’s own P.180 Avanti Evo, which the manufacturer is displaying at NBAA-BACE 2026.

Although PAPA was set up as an independent group to serve a U.S.-based community of Avanti owner-operators, Piaggio itself was highly engaged with the event. “The gathering provided an excellent opportunity to meet fellow P.180 owners, exchange experiences and operational knowledge, share ideas, and strengthen connections,” the company stated. The six members of the OEM’s delegation included representatives from aftermarket, marketing, and communications departments.

Alberto Caruso, chief of design and brand at parent company Baykar, said “it was a real honor to unveil the first design studies of the future Avanti NX and offer an exclusive preview of [Piaggio’s] upcoming Portofino Design Edition.”

Lead test pilot Lorenzo Villi flew that Evo to Galveston, where the attending aircraft spanned the Avanti I, II, and Evo variants. At NBAA-BACE, the Evo is on static display at Henderson Executive Airport (KHND), and prearranged demonstration flights are also available.

Piaggio said its participation at NBAA-BACE comes “at an important time for the P.180,” which is celebrating four decades since its first flight. Noting that “interest in the aircraft continues to grow,” the manufacturer pledged to increase production to meet demand while also advancing development of the Avanti NX, the type’s latest evolution.