Partenavia
_01.JPG)
Country of origin Italy
Powerplants
P.68B - Two 150kW (200hp) Lycoming IO360A1B fuel injected flat four piston engines driving two blade constant speed propellers. P.68TC - Two 155kW (210hp) turbocharged Textron Lycoming TIO360C1A6Ds.
Performance
P.68B - Max speed 322km/h (174kt), max cruising speed 306km/h (165kt), economical cruising speed 295km/h (160kt). Initial rate of climb 1600ft/min. Service ceiling 20,000ft. Range at economical cruising speed 1700km (920nm). P.68TC - Max speed 352km/h (190kt), max cruising speed 324km/h (175kt), economical cruising speed 278km/h (150kt). Initial rate of climb 1550ft/min. Service ceiling 27,000ft. Range with max payload 555km (300nm), range with max fuel 1924km (1040nm).
Weights
P.68B - Empty 1200kg (2645lb), max takeoff 1960kg (4321lb). P.68TC - Empty equipped 1300kg (2866lb), max takeoff 1990kg (4387lb).
Dimensions
P.68B - Wing span 12.00m (39ft 5in), length 9.35m (30ft 8in), height 3.40m (11ft 2in). Wing area 18.6m2 (200.0sq ft). P.68TC - Same except for length 9.55m (31ft 4in).
Capacity
Standard seating arrangement for seven, comprising one pilot and six passengers, or two pilots and five passengers.
Production
400 built through to 1994, including 13 preproduction P.68As and 150 P.68B Victors. Six assembled by TAAL in India where licence production is planned.
Type
Six/seven place light twin
History
Partenavia developed the P.68 as a multirole low maintenance and aerodynamically efficient twin capable of performing a number of utility roles.
The resulting P.68 Victor first flew on May 25 1970 and demonstrated performance similar to that of aircraft in its class (such as the Seneca) which had retractable undercarriage, but without the added weight and complexity of retractable gear. The high wing design also incorporated a large degree of glass fibre reinforced plastic construction in non load bearing areas. Thirteen preproduction P.68As were built between 1971 and 1973 before improved production standard P.68Bs, with a longer cabin, increased takeoff weight and redesigned instrument panel, were delivered from 1974. A retractable undercarriage variant, the P.68R, was trialled over 1976/77 but did not enter production.
The P.68C replaced the B in 1979 and introduced a longer nose to house weather radar and more avionics, extra fuel, revised cabin interior and redesigned wheel fairings. The turbocharged TC was introduced in 1980 and features two turbocharged 157kW (210hp) TIO360s. Observer versions of both the P.68B and P.68C have been built, these featuring a clear nose section for helicopterlike visibility.
A turboprop development, the AT.68TP300 Spartacus, first flew in 1978, and led to the larger AP.68TP Viator, which is in Italian government service.