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Piaggio P166

As a larger, land-based version of the P136 amphibian, the P166 retained the basic design elements. So the P166 has high gull wings as well, but attached to the fuselage somewhat above the middle, making it a mid-wing configuration, although it looks like a high-wing one. On top of the wings are two piston or turboprop engines driving pusher propellers. At the end of the wings it has tip tanks. The cabin window are not special in themselves, but they are not aligned with the cockpit side windows, which is odd. The main gear retracts in the side of the fuselage on most versions. 

The cabin windows of the Piaggio P166 are a bit odd: they are not aligned with the cockpit side window, but are placed lower.

All except one version of the P166 has a main landing gear that retracts in the side of the fuselage.

Different versions

The different versions of the Piaggio P166 can be identified by looking at:

  • the shape of the engine nacelles
  • the location of the retracted main landing gear
  • the presence of stubs for the main landing gear
  • the location of engine exhausts
  • the shape of the cockpit windows
  • the number of cabin windows
  • the presence of a radar nose

Details will follow later.

Confusion possible with

Twin Commander family

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At a first glance this aircraft family may look like it has a similar shape as the P166. But of course the Commander has pulling props, and the main gear retracts rearward in the nacelles. The wings have no gull shape and no tip tanks.

Piaggio P136

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The origins of the P166 are clearly visible in the P136. Like its successor the P136 has gull wings, but truely high mounted, and engines with pusher props on top. The P136 has a boat shape fuselage and a tail wheel landing gear, of which the main gear retracts in the side of the fuselage.