Partenavia

Partenavia

A Partenavia P.68

Partenavia Construzioni Aeronautiche was an Italian aircraft manufacturer from 1957 to 1998.

The company was formed shortly after the war by Professor Luigi Pascale of Naples University. Pascale had designed and flown a number of designs. In 1957, a factory was acquired at Arzano. Partenavia became a limited company in 1959. The first major aircraft to be produced was the P.57 Fachiro, a four-seat high wing aircraft for flying club use. A later all-metal version the Oscar replaced the Fachiro on the production lines.

In 1981, the company became part of the Aeritalia group and concentrated on the production of over 100 of P.66C Charlie for the Aero Club d'Italia. The most recognised design was the twin-engined P.68, first flown in 1970.

In 1993, Alenia sold the company to Aercosmos and, in March 1998, was declared bankrupt and Vulcanair bought all the assets, design rights and trademarks.