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Grob G 160

Type (Muster)
Single-engined turboprop (Turboprop-Reiseflugzeug)

Country (Land)
Germany (Deutschland)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Grob Aerospace
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): 1 + 6 (2 + 4 club + 1 seating arrangement plus toilet)

Power plant (Antrieb): Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A
Power (Leistung): 640 kW (850 shp) flat rated to 41 deg C
Propeller: 4-blade Hartzell

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 11,38 m
Height (Höhe): 3,43 m
Span (Spannweite): 12,95 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 20,5 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 5,00 m
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,42 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,58 m

Weights (Massen)
Max. useful load (Zuladung): 720 kg
Usable fuel (Kraftstoff): 1375 litres (363 US gal)
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 3300 kg
Max. landing weight (max. Landemasse): 3300 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): 500 km/h at 9500 m altitude
Stall speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 113 km/h
Rate of climb (Steigrate): 12 m/s at sea level, ISA, max. mass
Take-off distance to 15 m (Startstrecke): 650 m at max. mass
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestrecke): 650 m, no reverse
Range (Reichweite):
- 3300 km with six passengers, ISA, 30 min reserve
- 4000 km maximum with full tanks at 25000 ft, ISA, 30 min reserve

Costs (Kosten)
The sales price could be less than 2 million Euros, it was speculated in March 2003.

Competition (Konkurrenz)
Ibis Aerospace Ae 270
Piper Malibu Meridian
EADS Socata TBM700

Customers (Kunden)
No details available.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The G 160 is a high-performance single-engined turboprop business aircraft. As usual for Grob, its airframe is completely built with composite materials.
Initially the GROB Ranger will be equipped the well proven Electronic Flight System EFS 40 also installed in the G 120A and G 140TP. In 2006 "APEX", the new integrated cockpit system from Honeywell, will be available. The standard APEX system on the G 160 will feature digital communication and navigation radios, a flight management system, a digital autopilot, three displays measuring 10.4-inches diagonal (6 by 8), a Mode S transponder, engine indicating and caution alert system (EICAS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). Available options include weather radar, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a radio altimeter, distance measuring equipment, automatic direction finder and Honeywell's Flight Information System (FIS). EGPWS provides a map of terrain and sounds an audible warning if the airplane approaches too close to terrain or a structure. TCAS provides a map of surrounding aircraft and sounds an audible alert if another aircraft comes too close.

History (Geschichte)
First reports on the G 160 surfaced in April 2003. In early May it was said that ground tests should start in August 2003, with a first flight in September. Certification should be obtained in the latter part of 2004. Grob claimed that it can break even on 20 – 30 aircraft per year. It planed to appoint dealers in the USA and do completions at Bluffton, Ohio.
Grob exhibited the first prototype at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in June 2003. It reported that “in just the first four days of the show Grob Aerospace has received options on the entire first year's production and counts over and above that many interested parties.”
In October 203 it was announced that "APEX", the new integrated cockpit system from Honeywell, will be available in 2006 as the standard avionics package.
The Grob Ranger took off for its maiden flight on 29 March 2004 at Tussenhausen-Mattsies. Ulrich Schell and Toni Pohl were impressed with the quick acceleration and impresse climb performance as well as the short take-off and landing roll.

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Last updated 8 May 2003

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