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Grob G 120A

Type (Muster)
Light single-engined trainer (Kolbenmotor-Trainer)

Country (Land)
Germany (Deutschland)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Grob Werke GmbH & Co. KG, Aerospace Division
Lettenbachstr. 8
86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies
Germany

Phone: 0049-8268/998-0
Fax: 0049-8268/998-114
Internet: www.grob-aerospace.de

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2

Power plant (Antrieb): Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5
Power (Leistung): 260 hp
Propeller: three-blade, constant speed

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 8,11 m
Height (Höhe): 2,66 m
Span (Spannweite): 10,19 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 13,3 sq m
Aspect ration (Streckung): 7,82

Weights (Massen)
Max. useful load (Zuladung): 360 to 410 kg
Useable fuel (Kraftstoff): 252 litres (66,6 US gallons) or 378 litres in Observer version
Max. take-off weight (Startmasse): 1440 for aerobatics or 1490 in utility use
Landing weight (Landemasse): 1440 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (Geschwindigkeit): 320 km/h TAS (172 kts)
Cruise speed, 75 per cent power (Reisegeschwindigkeit): 307 km/h (166 kts) at 5000 ft, ISA
Stall speed (überziehgeschwindigkeit): 102 – 104 km/h (55 – 56 kts)
Take-off distance (Startstrecke): 654 m over 15 m obstacle, or 707 m in utility use
Landing distance (Landestrecke): 562 m over 15 m obstacle
Rate of climb (Steigrate): 6,5 m/s at sea level/ISA maximum or 6,09 m/s at utility weight
Range (Reichweite): 1535 km (830 NM) at 45 per cent power, 8000 ft, 30 min reserve or 2515 km in Observer version
Endurance (Flugdauer): 11 h 40 min at 45 % power, at 2000 ft, 30 min reserve, in Observer version
Max. load factors: +6/-4 at aerobatic weight or +4,4/-1,76 in utility use

Costs (Kosten)
No data available.

Customers (Kunden)
Lufthansa Flight Training (6): Three were announced on 22 January 2001, and three more were confirmed in June 2001.
Elbit (about 27): In February 2002, Elbit won a contract from the Israeli Ministry of Defence for the supply and operation of a new light trainer for the Israel Air Force. The contract is for ten years. It is performed by Snunit Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Elbit and Cyclone Aviation (itself also an Elbis subsidiary).
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. (9 plus 3 options): The order was announced on 24 May 2005. Kelowna has a contract to provide screening and primary flight instruction of student pilots in the new project Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) at the No. 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS) at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Deliveries should start in 2005.
By June 2005, Grob had sold more than 400 of its G 115 family and G 120 aircraft.

Competition (Konkurrenz)
Slingsby Firefly

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Grob G 120A is a new aircraft stemming from the G 115 line, but totally new in design. It is aimed at pilot screening, intitial training and especially advanced training and aerobatics for civil and military pilots. Grob claims excellent handling qualities, the best economics of its class and a service live of 15000 hours for the fully composite airframe.

History (Geschichte)
The prototype G 120 flew for the first time in late 2000.
On 22 Janaury 2001, it was announced that Lufthansa Flight Training GmbH is the first customer with an order for three plus four options. The trainers are used by LFT subsidiary ATCA (Airline Training Center Arizona) in Goodyear near Phoenix for preliminary flight training of pilots of the German armed forces.
German LBA certification to JAR 23 standard was achieved on 22 November 2001, some two months later than first planned.
US FAA certification according to FAR 23 standards was achieved on 29 Janaury 2002. This allowed operations to start at ATCA in Goodyear in February 2002. The introduction was not flawless, though, as technical problems hindered training of the instructors. Also, on 22 May 2002, one aircraft was lost in a crash, killing the instructor. The first student courses were scheduled to start in August 2002.
On February 19, 2002, Elbit Systems announced that it had won a contract for the supply an operation of a new light tainer for the Israeli Air Force. The PFI scheme sees Elbit as owner of the G 120As and the IAF paying according to flight hours. The contract is for ten years.
Certification of the G 120AI “Snunit” was achieved on 27 September 2002 by the German LBA and on 14 October by the Israeli CAA.The first three “Snunits” were then received at Hatzerim Air Force base during a ceremony on 27 October 2002. They replaced Piper PA-18-150 Cubs and took over some hours from the Zukit (Magister) jet trainer.
On 24 May 2005 it was announced that Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. (KFL) has placed firm orders for nine G 120A aircraft and has taken options on another three. The aircraft were to be used by the No. 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS) at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, for screening and primary flight instruction of student pilots in the new project Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS).

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Last updated 27 May 2005

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