COMMONPrivate & business

Vulcanair P68

The Observer

“The twin with the best view in aviation.”

ICAO type code P68 · Vulcanair (Partenavia)

First catch: 25 points in Bogey
Vulcanair P68, The Observer
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Length
31 ft 4 in
Wingspan
39 ft 4 in
Max speed
160 kts
Range
1,100 nmi
Ceiling
18,000 ft
Engines
2x Lycoming IO-360 (200 hp each)
Crew
1
Max passengers
5
Typical config
1 pilot + 5 passengers
Built
430+

The story

The Italian P68 breaks twin-engine convention twice: the wing is on top and, on most versions, the landing gear doesn't retract. That combination makes it cheap to run and good for looking down, which is why survey and patrol operators around the world fly them, including a glass-nosed Observer version.

Fun fact

The P68 Observer swaps the solid nose for a transparent one, so the crew can see forward and down through the nose.

Quick answers

How do you identify a P68?

High-wing piston twin with fixed gear on most versions, a rare combination. Engines hang under the wing close to the fuselage. A see-through nose means an Observer.

What does a P68 sound like?

Two modest Lycomings in steady formation — a workmanlike hum, often flying slow, straight lines.

How fast is the P68?

Top speed is 160 kts.

How many passengers does the P68 carry?

Up to 5. A typical layout is 1 pilot + 5 passengers.

How far can the P68 fly?

Range is about 1,100 nmi.

How big is the P68?

It is 31 ft 4 in long and 39 ft 4 in across the wings.

When did the P68 first fly?

Its first flight was in 1970.

How many P68s have been built?

430+ built.

How rare is a P68 in Bogey?

COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first P68 catch is worth 25 points.

Bogey · free on iPhone and Android

Is a P68 overhead right now?

Bogey shows every aircraft around you on a live map. When a P68 crosses it, tap the blip and it flips into a COMMON card worth 25 points.

  • A live map of every aircraft around you, at its real position.
  • Tap one and it flips into a trading card: type, airline, route, photo.
  • Catch rare ones. Build a collection. Climb the leaderboard.
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