The two-seater turboprop training and aerobatic aircraft GROB G 120 TP flew for the first time in 2010. It offers future military pilots a smooth transition to the next level of training on jets thanks to the fact that its cockpit not only accommodates instructor and student with a complete military equipment, but it has identical control elements with jets, transport aircraft and helicopters on which they will serve. Grob Aircraft presented the plane at this year's NATO Days in Ostrava in September.
Founded in 1971 under the name Grob Aerospace, Grob Aircraft SE initially specialized in the production of gliders, which were soon joined by propeller training aircraft. It is based in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, where it concentrates its research and development and subsequent production facilities. Today, it is already one of the largest and most experienced composite aircraft manufacturers. In its 49 years of existence, Grob has developed and delivered to users around the world 3,500 aircraft, which have flown a total of seven million hours.
A significant milestone for the company was obtaining American certification for the G 109 in the 1980s, the first composite motor glider approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). It was used in the Australian Air Force until 2014 and in the Royal Air Force until 2018 (with the 2nd Air Training School of the RAF). In addition to gliders, the company also developed a special G 520 Egrett (Strato 1) high-altitude aircraft in the early 1990s, which achieved five world records and which is returning to production as the G 520NG.
The main type of aircraft manufactured by Grob Aircraft SE is currently the G 120 TP, which was introduced during this year's NATO Days on 19 and 20 September. It is the latest version of the series launched by the G 115 TA aircraft, which flew for the first time in 1985, and is still used by the air forces of many countries. The first user of the G 120 TP aircraft became the Indonesian Air Force in 2013, and today it flies together with the previous version (G 120 A) in ten other countries around the world.
The aircraft is part of a training system which, in addition to the plane itself, also includes a Computer Based Training (CBT) and a simulator (FTD, Flight Training Device). After completing basic computer and simulator training, the student progresses to flights on G 120 TP with reduced performance, then to the main phase of flight training, at the end of which he obtains the pilot's certificate, and further specializes as a future pilot of fighter jet, multi-engine airliner, or undergoes basic helicopter flight training or unmanned aerial vehicle pilot training. From the G 120 TP type, he then switches to advanced jet or multi-engine aircrafts, helicopters, or to control drones.
The G 120 TP itself is characterized by an excellent power-to-weight ratio (maximum take-off weight 1590 kg, Rolls-Royce M250-B17F engine with 340 kW). It’s g limites reach +6 and -4, and the aircraft has a long service life of up to 15,000 flight hours thanks to its composite, fiberglass construction, light and easy to repair. The aircraft reaches a maximum speed of up to 454 km / h, cruising speed 435 km / h. The stall speed is 107 km / h (with landing configuration). It’s service ceiling is 7600 m, with the rate of climb 14 m / s.