|
|
|
|
Type (Muster)
Business jet (Geschäftsreisejet)
Country (Land)
Germany (Deutschland)
Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Grob Aerospace
Lettenbachstr. 9
86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies
Germany
Phone: 0049-8268/998-0
Fax: 0049-8268/998-114
Internet: www.grob-aerospace.de, www.grobspn.com
General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 or 2
Passengers (Passagiere): 8 – 9 in double club arrangement
Baggage compartment (Gepäckraum): 1,62 cu m
Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Williams FJ44-3A turbofans
Thrust (Schub): 2 x 12,44 kN (2800 lbs) at sea level, ISA
Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 14,81 m
Height (Höhe): 5,12 m
Span (Spannweite): 14,86 m over winglets
Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 5,10 m
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,64 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,52 m
Cavin volume (Kabinenraumvolumen): 11,5 cu m
Weights (Massen)
Max. payload (max. Nutzlast): 1130 kg
Max. fuel (max. Kraftstoff): 2000 kg (660 US gallons)
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 6300 kg
Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. operating speed speed: 504 km/h (272 KCAS), Mach 0.7
Max cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 769 km/h (415 KTAS) at 29000 ft or 745 km/h (402 KTAS) at FL410
Stall speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 143 km/h at max. take-off weight
Rate of climb (Steigrate): 22 m/s (4360 ft/min) at sea level, max. take-off weight
Max. operating altitude (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 12500 m (41000 ft)
Balanced field length (Startstrecke): 915 m at max. take-off weight, ISA, sea level
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestrecke): 815 m at max. landing weight, sea level
Range (Reichweite):
3425 km (1850 NM) with no paylaod, max. fuel
3335 km (1800 NM) with 1 pilot and 6 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves
3120 km (1685 NM) with 1 pilot and 8 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves
2371 km (1280 NM) with maximum payload at max. take-off weight
Costs (Kosten)
At the Paris Air Show in June 2005, Grob said that the aircraft will be sold equipped for operation at a standard list price of Euro 5.8 million in 2005 economic conditions.
Competition (Konkurrenz)
Grob targets users of Beech King Air turboprops
Customers (Kunden)
By September 2007, Grob Aerospace claimed “in exces of 70 orders”.
By the time of the EBACE show in Geneva in May 2007, Grob claimed total orders of over 60 with significant non refundable deposits.
In September 2005 it was said that around 15 aircraft had been sold so far.
Several firm sales were claimed at the Paris Air Show in June 2005.
Among known customers are:
Falcon Aviation Services: 4. The Abu Dhabi firm concluded a purchase at EBACE in May 2007. The four SPns will be delivered to FAS from mid 2008 through to mid 2009 and will be based at the company's Bateen Airport Base only 10km from the City of Abu Dhabi.
Plane Sense: 25. The fractional ownership programme managed by Alpha Flying confirmed an order for 25 on 18 September 2007. The first SPn light jets will join the PlaneSense fleet towards the end of 2008.
Prestige Jets: 2. The VIP executive jet company from Abu Dhabi was the first customer in the Middle East and signed a contract in May 2007.
In October 2006, Grob Aerospace was forecasting sales of some 200-300 aircraft in the US market over the next decade.
Grob sees a market for 400 aircraft over ten years, it was said in June 2005 and reconfirmed in September 2007.
Potential production rates of 15 in 2007, 25 in 2008 and 40 from 2009 were outlined in September 2005, but this slipped after the crash of prototype No. 2.
Remarks (Bemerkungen)
Grob is advertising its SPn as an “Utility Jet” in a class of its own, combining the performance and passenger comfort of a light business jet with the operational versatility of a turboprop. The aircraft will be certified to EASA CS23 commuter category standards and can be flown by a single pilot. Design features include:
carbon fibre fuselage and wing
reinforced landing gear for regular operation on “unimproved” runways which are usually the exclusive domain of turboprops
Honeywell APEX integrated cockpit. High-resolution LCD monitors – each with two 15 inch PFD screens, one for each pilot, plus two shared 10 inch MFD monitors – display all relevant flight data and management information. Equipment also includes up-to-date warning and radar systems such as TCAS and EGPWS
an APU, available as an option, will provide ground power for engine starting, air-conditioning, and entertainment equipment. It will also be certified for in flight operation.
an EVS, manufactured by Kollsman Inc., will be fully integrated with APEX avionics and display screens. It combines IR technology with video imaging software.
The ExecuJet Aviation Group was appointed the exclusive world-wide sales distributor and maintenance support partner for the Grob SPn Utility Jet.
Grob is also studying a new HALE aircraft based on the SPn, the G 600, designed specifically for High Altitude and Long Endurance surveillance missions. Initial design specifications for a possible HALE aircraft would be a 18.65 m (61.20 ft) fuselage with a wing span of 35.6 m (116.8 ft), and payload capacity of 1,200 kg (2650 lbs). Preliminary performance estimates a range of 5540 NM (10250 km), reach a maximum altitude of 65.000 ft and a total travel time of 17 hours and 20 minutes. A manned configuration would consist of one or two pilots plus two additional mission specialists. A further possible application is a longer range version, the G 600 HALE ER, featuring an extended range of 11,340 NM (21,000 km), half around the world. It could operate for a total non-stop flight time of 33 hours and for a time of 18.6 hours at an altitude of 60,000 ft. An optionally unmanned version of the HALE is also being considered.
History (Geschichte)
Grob launched its first business jet project in complete secrecy in January 2004. Prototype assembly took place between October 2004 and January 2005.
Roumors that Grob was working on a business jet began to circulate in the spring of 2005, pointing to a very light jet. Surprise was therefore great when Grob presented its SPn Utility Jet at the Paris Air Show on 13 June 2005, not only showing a cabin mock up but the real prototype. It was then announced that the first flight should take place in July. EASA certification was said to be slated for the first quarter of 2007 with FAA certification and first customer deliveries planned for the second quarter of 2007.
On 20 June 2005, Grob also indicated that it was studying a new HALE aircraft based on the SPn, named the G 600 and designed specifically for High Altitude and Long Endurance surveillance missions.
Grob Aerospace's new SPn Utility Jet completed its maiden flight on 20 July 2005. It departed Allgäu Airport (EDJA) near Memmingen in southern Germany at 11:14 am. The aircraft was commanded by Capt. Gerard Guillaumaud and co-test pilot Tore Reimers. It landed 66 minutes later after performing initial handling tests and system checks. Previously, a test airframe had successfully passed a program of full strength testing on the fuselage and wing required for certification.
In mid-November 2005, Grob reported that the flight test program had reached nearly 50 flight hours. Tests had focused on flight dynamics and performance, and included forward centre of gravity (CG) tests, initial Vmca flights, airflow visualisation and tests of the airbrake and trim system. It was said that the second SPn prototype was scheduled to join the flight test programme to focus on system checks in early 2006.
By April 2006, the first Grob SPn had successfully completed testing of major flight envelope parameters. In around 140 flight hours, field performance, stalls, icing shapes, flying to 35,000 ft., and maximum speed (Vmo) had been covered, with the aircraft meeting expectations. An improved landing distance at maximum weight, which is reduced by almost ten percent to 814 m was noted.
At the EBACE show in Geneva in early May 2006, Grob announced that the Honeywell APEX avionics system will be enhanced, providing greater integration. Avionics systems already featured on the Grob SPn, such as TCAS II, EGPWS, weather radar and other functions will continue to operate via the user friendly APEX controls, but with more ease and reliability. In addition, the enhanced APEX has greater software processing power to allow for optional equipment such as enhanced vision system (EVS) and future options, such as auto-throttle (AT), emergency decent mode (EDM), and electronic flight bag (EFD), among others. Also, it was said that customers can now choose to configure their aircraft with a new six seat Executive interior configuration which includes a full lavatory and galley. As more options they can now purchase both an auxiliary power unit (APU), and an enhanced vision system (EVS), which give pilots greater landing visibility at night or in weather.
A second test prototype was set to enter service in July 2006, allowing for testing of production avionics, environmental control, anti-icing, and other systems. A fully-equipped pre-production aircraft was to enter service at the beginning of 2007 to complete final certification and reliability testing. It was to be fitted with a full interior and major avionics options. FAA and EASA certification was scheduled for 2007.
The second prototype, P2, made its first flight on 29 September 2006, taking off from the company airport in Tussenhausen-Mattsies. It was equipped with the Honeywell Primus APEX avionics Suite – making it the first aircraft aloft with the new equipment.
In early October 2006, Grob Aerospace reported that the flight envelope of the SPn had been fully opened. P1 had achieved an altitude of 41000 ft and confirmed a maximum speed of Mach 0.70. Take-off distance was recorded as 3000 ft BFL at maximum take-off weight and landing distance at 2670 ft at maximum landing weight. At that time, European EASA certification was targeted for the third quarter of 2007 and FAA certification for the fourth quarter, with deliveries starting before year-end.
On 5 October 2006, Grob announced a long term partnership with Austrian-based Porsche Design Studio. The Studio was tasked to design fresh, contemporary interiors for the SPn. Two different interior layout concepts (Executive and Business) were foreseen. Grob had also chosen Stevens Aviation and Landmark Aviation as its service partners in the United States. At Stevens Aviation facilities at both Greenville, South Carolina and Denver, Colorado, and Landmark Aviation bases in Springfield, Illinois, Los Angeles, California and Houston, Texas, customers will be able to access spare parts, undertake required inspections, and conduct full maintenance work on the SPn.
The second SPn prototype (D-CGSP) crashed on 29 November 2006, shortly after take-off from Tussenhausen-Mattsies at 13.15 local time. Chief Test Pilot Gérard Guillaumaud (45) was killed in the accident. He was the only person on board. Guillaumaud was performing a demonstration flight on the second mission of the day. Grob Aerospace said it remains committed to the program and production of aircraft number three will continue. The possible impact on the certification program can not be foreseen for the moment, president Niall Olver stated. The second SPn had accumulated a total of 40 cycles and 28 flight hours. The first aircraft (D-CSPN) had logged about 300 flight hours and 450 cycles.
In mid-December 2006 Grob said that despite the crash, the programme continues with test aircraft No 3 to fly during the second quarter of 2007. Furthermore, test aircraft No 4 will be added to the flight test program and will be fitted with a full interior by September 2007. Additionally the first serial production aircraft will be built at Grob's manufacturing facilities in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany, to join the flight test program. European EASA certification was now targeted for the end of first quarter of 2008, as opposed to the third quarter of 2007.
Grob Aerospace resumed flight tests of the SPn with the first aircraft (D-CSPN) again on Friday, 23 February 2007 at 16:15 pm. The aircraft's crew were acting Chief Test Pilot Tore Reimers and Head of Flight Test Engineer Alan Lawless.
At EBACE in May 2007, a certification target of April 2008 was mentioned.
On 18 September 2007, Grob announced a breakthrough in the US fractional market with PlaneSense confirming an order for 25 SPn. Aircraft for PlaneSense will be configured with a six-passenger Executive interior designed by Porsche Design Studio, with a large galley upfront and enclosed lavatory at the rear of the cabin.
The SPn test aircraft No. 3 (D-CSPJ) successfully completed its first two flights on 29 October 2007, some seven months late. The aircraft took off at 9:28 am from the company's airfield at Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany, conducted basic systems checkouts, stability and control evaluation and then landed at Allgäu Airport in Memmingen as planned. The aircraft returned to the company's airfield after the second flight. Total flying time was 1 hour and 26 minutes. At the controls were Chief Test Pilot Tore Reimers and Test Pilot Peter Weger. Test aircraft No. 3 is flying most of the systems that will be installed in the fully conforming series production aircraft.
|
|
|
|
