View source for Partenavia P.68

{{short description|Small twin-engined transport aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name = P.68
  |image = File:D-GFPG (17004135598).jpg
  |caption = Partenavia P.68B
  |type = Light transport
  |manufacturer = [[Partenavia]] <br> [[Vulcanair]]
  |designer = [[Luigi Pascale]]
  |first_flight = 25 May [[1970 in aviation|1970]]<ref name=Flight11jun1970/>
  |introduction =
  |retired =
  |status = In service
  |primary_user =
  |more_users =
  |produced =1970-present
  |number_built = 431+{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
  |developed_from =
  |variants =
}}

The '''Partenavia P.68''', now '''Vulcanair P68''', is a [[light aircraft]] designed by [[Luigi Pascale]] and initially built by Italian company [[Partenavia]].
<!--development-->It made its first flight on 25 May 1970, its type certification was granted on 17 November 1971 and was transferred to [[Vulcanair]] in 1998.
<!--design-->The original six-seat high-wing monoplane is powered by twin piston engines and is used for light transport and training. The P.68 Observer is an [[observation aircraft]] variant, and it was developed in a stretched, 10/11-seat twin [[turboprop]] derivative.

==Development==
[[File:F-HTLI (26655473180).jpg|thumb|A P.68 Observer presented by [[Vulcanair]] at the [[AERO Friedrichshafen]] 2016]]

===Partenavia P.68 Victor===
The type certification for the '''P.68 Victor''', a [[Twin-engine|twin]] piston engine, [[high wing]] monoplane with fixed [[tricycle landing gear]] was applied for on 22 January 1969.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
The Partenavia P.68 was designed as a six-seat [[light aircraft|light]] transport and trainer powered by two {{cvt|200|hp|0}} [[Lycoming IO-360]] engines, it made its first flight on 25 May 1970 at [[Naples]].<ref name=Flight11jun1970>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1970/1970%20-%201035.html |title= Italian Twin |magazine= Flight International |date= 11 June 1970 }}</ref>
The type certification for the 9.20&nbsp;m (30.18&nbsp;ft) long P.68 was granted by the [[Italian Civil Aviation Authority]] on 17 November 1971 for an 1860&nbsp;kg (4100&nbsp;lb) [[MTOW]].<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
It was approved by the [[FAA]] on 7 December 1971.<ref name=FAA-TCDS>{{cite news |url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/120df1b9b90580c686258418005b9ebf/$FILE/A31EU_Rev26.pdf |title= Type Certificate data sheet A31EU |date= June 13, 2019 |publisher= FAA}}</ref>
After 300 h of [[flight test]]s, production was to start in May 1972 in a new plant at Naples [[Capodichino Airport]] at a rate of three aircraft per month.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202821.html |title= Partenavia Victor certificated |magazine= Flight International |date= 30 December 1971}}</ref>
The prototype was built at [[Arzano]], Italy, production began with 14 pre-production aircraft at new facilities in [[Casoria]], Italy.

The longer, 9.35&nbsp;m (30.68&nbsp;ft) '''P.68B Victor''' certification was applied for on 18 October 1973 and granted on 24 May 1974 for a 1960&nbsp;kg (4321&nbsp;lb) MTOW.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
Its unit cost was [[United States dollar|US$]]82,000 in 1974<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1974/1974%20-%201476.html |title= Guide to business aircraft |magazine= Flight International |date=19 September 1974}}</ref> (US${{Inflation|US|82000|r=-3|1974}} today).
Its fuselage was lengthened to create more space in the cockpit.

[[File:Partenavia P.68 (8857506505).jpg|thumb|P.68R with retractable undercarriage]]

Both derived from the P.68B and 9.55&nbsp;m (31.33&nbsp;ft) long, the '''P.68R Victor''' has a [[retractable landing gear]] and was certified on 31 July 1978 while the '''P.68C''' has a nose allowing a [[weather radar]], larger fuel tanks and increased weights, and was certified on 23 July 1979 with a 1990&nbsp;kg (4387&nbsp;lb) MTOW.<!--ref name=EASA-TCDS/-->
The '''P.68C-TC''', certified on 29 April 1980, has turbocharged, {{cvt|210|hp|0}} [[List of Lycoming O-360 variants#TIO-360|Lycoming TIO-360]]-C1A6D engines.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
In 2021, the equipped price of the P.68C was US$1.25M, US$1.5M for the P.68R and US$1.55M for the P.68C-TC.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://infogram.com/bca-table-2023-pistons-1h7z2l89o987x6o |title= Purchase planning handbook - pistons table |date= Second Quarter 2021 |work= Business & Commercial Aircraft}}</ref>

===Partenavia P.68 Observer===
[[File:Partenavia P.68 Observer, Spain - Institut Cartografic de Catalunya - ICC JP7702383.jpg|thumb|P.68 Observer with a transparent nose]]

The 9.43&nbsp;m (30.94&nbsp;ft) long '''P.68 Observer''', derived from the P.68B with a transparent fuselage nose, adapted systems and larger fuel tanks, was certified on 12 June 1980.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
The observation aircraft for law enforcement were initially conversions of existing aircraft by German [[Sportavia-Putzer]].

The 9.15&nbsp;m (30.02&nbsp;ft) long '''P.68TC Observer''', a P.68 "Observer" with turbocharged engines, was certified on 18 June 1985.<!--ref name=EASA-TCDS/-->

The 9.54&nbsp;m (31.30&nbsp;ft) long '''P.68 "Observer 2''' is a P.68 "Observer", with increased weights, upturned [[wing tip]]s and modified systems, and was certified on 30 November 1989 for a 2084&nbsp;kg (4594&nbsp;lb) MTOW.<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
−

===Partenavia AP68TP-600 Viator===
[[File:Partenavia AP.68TP-600 Viator DRW Butler-1.jpg|thumb|Turboprop-powered AP.68TP-600 Viator with stretched fuselage and retractable gear]]

The 10.89-11.27 m (35.73-36.97&nbsp;ft) long, retractable gear '''AP68TP-600 "Viator"''', with two {{cvt|328|hp}} [[Allison 250]]-B17C turboprops, has a 2850–3000&nbsp;kg (6283-6614&nbsp;lb) MTOW and was certified on 16 October 1986.<!--ref name=EASA-TCDS/-->
In 2023, its equipped price was $3.5M.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://infogram.com/bca-table-2023-turboprops-1ho16vorwrxm84n |title=Purchase planning handbook - turboprops table |date= Second Quarter 2023|work=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology|Business & Commercial Aviation]]}}</ref>

===Partenavia AP68TP-300 Spartacus===
The 9.90&nbsp;m (32.48&nbsp;ft) long, fixed gear '''AP68TP-300 Spartacus''' was certified on 10 December 1983 with two {{cvt|328|hp}} [[Allison 250]]-B17C turboprops and a 2600&nbsp;kg (5732&nbsp;lb) [[MTOW]].<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
The nine-seater development was helped by [[Aeritalia]]. The prototype first flew in 1978 with a retractable undercarriage.

Based in [[Casoria]], Naples, and already manufacturing Partenavia spares, [[Vulcanair]] (then Air Samanta) acquired the type certificate, aircraft spares and the former production plant in Milan for L1.4 billion ($780,000) in April 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vulcan-air-resurrects-partenavia-p68-line-35494/ |title= Vulcan Air resurrects Partenavia P.68 line |date= 15 April 1998 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>
The type certificate was transferred on 25 November.<ref name=EASA-TCDS>{{cite web |url= https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/TCDS%20EASA%20P68%20-%20EASA%20A%20385%20issue%206.pdf |title= Type certificate data sheet A.385 Vulcanair P.68 |date= 18 October 2017 |publisher= EASA}}</ref>
Vulcanair offers the P.68R, P68C, P.68C-TC, P.68TC Observer, P.68 Observer 2 and AP68TP-600 Viator.<ref name=brochure/>

==Variants==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Type certificate data sheet<ref name=EASA-TCDS/>
! Variant || Certified || [[MTOW]] || Engines || Length || Built{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
|-
! P.68 Victor
| 17 Nov 1971 || 1860 (4100&nbsp;lb)
| rowspan=6 | {{cvt|200|hp|0}}<br>[[Lycoming IO-360|IO-360]]-A1B6 || 9.20&nbsp;m (30.18&nbsp;ft) || 14
|-
! P.68B Victor
| 24 May 1974
| rowspan=3 | 1960&nbsp;kg (4321&nbsp;lb) || 9.35&nbsp;m (30.68&nbsp;ft) || >190
|-
! P. 68 [[Observation aircraft|Observer]]
| 12 Jun 1980
| 9.43&nbsp;m (30.94&nbsp;ft) || >21
|-
! P.68[[retractable landing gear|R]] Victor
| 31 Jul 1978
| rowspan= 4 | 9.55&nbsp;m (31.33&nbsp;ft) || 1
|-
! P.68 Observer 2
| 30 Nov 1989
| 2084&nbsp;kg (4594&nbsp;lb) 
|
|-
! P.68C
| 23 Jul 1979 
| rowspan=3 | 1990&nbsp;kg (4387&nbsp;lb) || >114
|-
! P.68C-[[turbocharged|TC]]
| 29 Apr 1980
| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|210|hp|0}}<br/>[[List of Lycoming O-360 variants#TIO-360|TIO-360]]-C1A6D ||
|-
! P.68TC Observer
| 18 Jun 1985
| 9.15&nbsp;m (30.02&nbsp;ft) ||
|-
! AP68TP-300 Spartacus
| 10 Dec 1983
| 2600&nbsp;kg (5732&nbsp;lb)
| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|328|hp}}<br/>[[Allison 250]]-B17C 
| 9.90&nbsp;m (32.48&nbsp;ft) || >13
|-
! AP68TP-600 Viator
| 16 Oct 1986
| 2850–3000&nbsp;kg<br/>(6283-6614&nbsp;lb)
| 10.89-11.27 m<br/>(35.73-36.97&nbsp;ft) || >6
|}

==Operators==
===Military and government operators===
[[File:Partenavia P-68 Observer, Italy - Polizia AN1561730.jpg|thumb|[[Italian State Police]] P.68 Observer]]
[[File:WP Landtagsprojekt Hessen - Polizeifliegerstaffel Egelsbach - IBIS 7 - 004.jpg|thumb|[[Hessen State Police]] P.68 Observer 2]]

; {{BAH}}:
* [[Royal Bahamas Defence Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2021/141456.article|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2021 |doi = |accessdate= 4 May 2021|url-access=registration}}</ref>
; {{CHI}}:
* [[Chilean Navy]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
; {{GER}}:
* [[Hessen State Police|Hessen State Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/d-ghea |title= Flight history for aircraft - D-GHEA |publisher= flightradar24.com |date=|accessdate=12 May 2021}}</ref>
; {{ITA}}:
* [[Italian State Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulcanair.com/special-mission-p68-observer |title= Special Mission P68 Observer |publisher= vulcanair.com |date=|accessdate=12 May 2021}}</ref>
; {{GBR}}:
* [[National Police Air Service]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Peter |title=New police planes to patrol skies over North East Lincolnshire |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/new-planes-patrol-skies-over-3224381 |access-date=29 February 2020 |work=Grimsby Live |date=20 August 2019}}</ref>
; {{USA}}:
* [[California Department of Fish and Game]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/dfg-and-partners-use-aircraft-and-submersible-camera-to-count-pacific-sardine/ |title= DFG and Partners use Aircraft and Submersible Camera to Count Pacific Sardine |publisher= cdfgnews.wordpress.com |date=|accessdate=4 May 2021}}</ref>
* [[New York State Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://troopers.ny.gov/specialty-units |title= New York State Police Aviation Unit |publisher= troopers.ny.gov |date=|accessdate=4 May 2021}}</ref>
* [[Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency]]<ref>{{cite web |title=N76TW Aircraft Registration |url=https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N76TW |website=FlightAware.com |publisher=FlightAware |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
* [[Washington State Department of Natural Resources]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumbertxt=357PN|title=Aircraft Inquiry}}</ref>
*[[Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myfwc.com/law-enforcement/special-programs/ |title=Special Programs }}</ref>

===Former===
; {{flag|Bophuthatswana}}:
* [[Bophutatswana Air Force]]<ref>* {{cite magazine|last=Hatch|first=Paul F.|title=Air Forces of the World: Bophuthatswana Air Force|magazine=Air Pictorial|date=July 1985|volume = 47|issue= 7|page=249}}</ref>

==Incidents and accidents==

The P.68 was involved in 86 accidents and incidents worldwide as reported in the [[Aviation Safety Network]] wiki database, including 58 [[hull loss]]es.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=P68 |title= Wiki Database - Type = P.68 |publisher= [[Aviation Safety Network]] |date= 1 July 2019}}</ref>

September 11, 1983: A P.68C, N29561, performing an aerobatic display broke up in flight during an airshow in [[Plainview, Texas]]. The NTSB report revealed that analysis of the video showed the aircraft performed a fly-by over the runway, exceeding its Vne (Velocity, never-exceed) speed by 27 knots. The pilot then executed a sharp nose-up pitch change of about 8 degrees, which spiked the aircraft's dynamic load factor to 8.3Gs and caused both wings to fail in the main spar just outside both engine nacelles then separate from the aircraft, which then began rotating, causing the rear fuselage to twist along its length between its cabin and [[empennage]]. The aircraft then plummeted 250 feet down just beyond the group of spectators.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/40417 |title= ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 40417 |publisher= [[Aviation Safety Network]] |date= 24 January 2020}}</ref>

==Specifications (P.68C)==
[[File:WP Landtagsprojekt Hessen - Polizeifliegerstaffel Egelsbach - IBIS 7 - 010.jpg|thumb|The Observer cockpit with an [[EFIS]] flight deck]]
[[File:WP Landtagsprojekt Hessen - Polizeifliegerstaffel Egelsbach - IBIS 7 - 013.jpg|thumb|The P.68 cabin]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= Vulcanair brochure<ref name=brochure>{{cite web |url= http://www.vulcanair.com/files/files/Brochure%20Vulcanair%2008-10-18.pdf |title= Brochure |publisher= Vulcanair|date= 17 March 2015}}</ref>
|prime units?=kts<!-- "imp", "kts" or "met" to display the units in a given order. 
Without an entry here, no specifications will show -->
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=one
|capacity=plus five passengers
|length m=9.55
|length ft=31
|length in=
|span m=12
|span ft=
|span in=
|height m=3.40
|height ft=11
|height in=15
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=1420
|empty weight lb=3130
|max takeoff weight kg=2084
|max takeoff weight lb=4594
|fuel capacity={{convert|177|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}} 
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Lycoming IO-360]]-A1B6
|eng1 type=air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=200<!-- prop engines -->

|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->

<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=301
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=160
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|10000|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}} (econ cruise)
|stall speed kmh=106
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=57
|stall speed note=(flaps down, power off)
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=2043
|range miles=
|range nmi=1103
|range note=(econ cruise, standard fuel)
|ceiling m=5490
|ceiling ft=18,000
|climb rate ms=6
|climb rate ftmin=1100
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
* [[Aero Commander 500 family]]
* [[Beechcraft Baron]]
* [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander]]
* [[Cessna 310]]
* [[Diamond DA62]]
* [[Piper PA-34 Seneca]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Commons and category}}
* {{official website|http://www.vulcanair.com/}}
* {{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rnFWX_1Z9nEC&pg=PA44 |title= Roman Holiday |author= Nigel Moll |date= April 1983 |magazine= Flying }}
* {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985) |publisher= Orbis Publishing}}
* {{cite book |last= Simpson| first= R.W. |title= Airlife's General Aviation|year= 1991|publisher= Airlife Publishing|location= Shrewsbury, England|isbn=978-1-85310-194-6}}
* {{cite news |url= https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/an-italian-light-twin-returns-to-claim-its-star |title= An Italian Light Twin Returns To Claim Its Star |author= James Wynbrandt |date= July 21, 2015 |magazine= Plane & Pilot }}

{{Partenavia/Vulcanair aircraft}}
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[[Category:Partenavia aircraft|P.68]]
[[Category:Vulcanair aircraft]]
[[Category:1970s Italian civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1970]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]]