The VIP version of PD-808 (or TA, Trasporto Autorità) was configured for six passengers. It was operated by the 306° Gruppo of 31° Stormo, here photographed without any unit badge.

The VIP version of PD-808 (or TA, Trasporto Autorità) was configured for six passengers. It was operated by the 306° Gruppo of 31° Stormo, here photographed with the 31° Stormo badge on the fin.

This is one of the VIP configured aircrafts operated by the 306° Gruppo of 31° Stormo. They were configured for six passengers and their livery at that time distinguished them from the standard trasport aircrafts by the thin line above the main blue one on fuselage, tip tanks and fin root.

Aircraft still in the livery of 31° Stormo, that was the first operator of this variant. When 31° Stormo started receiving new Falcon 50s and Gulfstream IIIs, the PD-808s were gradually transferred to the 14° Stormo, that already operated the GE and RM variants. The VIP (or TA, Trasporto Autorità) aircrafts were configured for 6 passengers. Once assigned to the 14° Stormo they were mainly used for training.

A number of aircraft are preserved around the former seaplane base of Cadimare, La Spezia. This PD808 can easily be viewed from a high level road, with an MB326 is the back.

Photo by Saviour Schembri.

This was a rarity in every way, being one of just two civil PD-808s built, the rest (totalling 22) going to the Italian Air Force. I-PIAL was operated by Piaggio, and was withdrawn from use in 1998, then preserved, unmarked, at Volandia Museum at Milan-Malpensa.

Withdrawn from use in 1998. Later preserved at the Volandia museum at Milan-Malpensa.

On 6 October 1976 the RVSM was integrated in 31 Stormo that already hosted the 93 Gruppo.

Its Cant Z.501 Gabbiano flying boats are long gone, but this place is still some sort of Italian Air Force facility, its gardens ornamented with a PD.808, a P.166, an AB.47, an MB.326 and a G.91Y.