PIAGGIO, the Italian business aircraft manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Tom Appleton as the president and CEO of its North American operation. Appleton, best known in the UK for his long term involvement with the then de Havilland Canada (and subsequently Bombardier) piloted the actual DHC Dash 7 demonstrator at Farnborough 1978, which, with its impressive short take-off and landing capacity, paved the way for London City Airport a decade later. The unique looking eight-passenger Piaggio P180 Avanti is the world”s fastest business turboprop. Currently 34 are operating in the US and Sloane Aviation, the UK distributor, will take delivery of their first aircraft later in the year.
http://www.piaggioamerica.com