Grob G103a Twin II
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| Type Designation | G103 Twin II |
| Competition Class | No Class |
| Crew | 2 |
| Length | 8.18 m |
| Height | 1.55 m |
| Wingspan | 17.5 m |
| Wing area | 17.8 m² |
| Aspect ratio | 17.1 |
| Empty mass | ca. 395 kg |
| Water ballast | None |
| Tail water ballast | None |
| Maximum mass | 580 kg |
| Wing loading | ca. 32.6 kg/m2 |
| Maximum speed | 135 Kts |
| Maneuver speed | 92 Kts |
| Speed in Rough Air | 92 Kts |
| Minimum sink rate | ca. 126 fpm@43 Kts (450Kg); 138fpm@46 Kts (580Kg) |
| Best glide ratio | ca. 36.5 |
The G103a Twin II is a high performance two-seater sailplane made by Grob Aerospace. The aircraft is of T-tail configuration, and is fitted with a non retractable undercarriage and upper surface airbrakes. Of glass fibre construction, it is designed for training, high performance, and simple aerobatic flying. It was originally designated the G 118.
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[edit] General Description
The G-103 Twin II (a.k.a the Twin Astir II) is the successor of the original G 103 Twin Astir with a nose wheel and a fixed six-inch main gear fitted behind the center of gravity - The main wheel is equipped with a hydraulic brake. Modified ailerons produce a substantially improved roll response compared to the previous model. Approach control is by top surface Schemmpp-Hirth type airbrakes. The Acro variant of the Twin II (G103a) features strengthened mainspar caps and steel control pushrods which permit greater aerobatic performance. The Royal Air Force acquired 100 Acros (known as the Viking T1) for its Air Cadet training program. The G103 also has a FAA approved modification kit for all-hand control for handicapped operation. The Twin II was succeeded by the Grob 103c Twin III in 1989.
[edit] Production
Total of 549 produced, including 100 Viking TX.1s for the UK Armed Forces.
[edit] Flight Tests
February 1983 of Soaring magazine published a flight test evaluation of the Grob 103 Twin II By Richard H. Johnson.[1]
[edit] Records
On 28 September 1981 the Twin II took the world Out & Return record for two-seat sailplanes (1000.88 km/ 621.92 miles).[2] The aircraft (N424GL) was flown out of the Ridge Soaring Gliderport, Pennsylvania, USA, by pilot Thomas Knauff and crew, Rob Gannon.
On May 14, 1996 the Twin II G103A took the Pennsylvania State Open Multi place class; Distance around a Triangular Course/Speed over a Triangular Course of 100KM; Pilot David Bradley, Passenger Jim Vincent. and the Pennsylvania Sports Class; Distance around a Triangular Course of 100km; Pilot David Bradley, Passenger Jim Vincent.(2)
[edit] Technical Details/History
- Service Bulletins can be found on the Grob website here
- A PDF information guide based on the Flight Manual is available from Adelaide Soaring Club here
- A PDF photocopy of the full flight manual (English) is also avaibale from Adelaide soaring here
- A PDF photocopy of the maintenance manual (English) can be found here
[edit] In-Flight Limitations
In 2003 Service Bulletin 315-64/2 reduced the maximum admissible airspeeds and prohibited acrobatic flight. This was due to reports that the design of the fuselage may not have been sufficient to sustain limit loads during certain maneuvers and during flight at certain speeds. Grob completed further investigations into the effects of certain flight conditions on the fuselage structure and the development of corrective procedures. Further static strength tests were conducted to verify the safety margin of the fuselage. The results of these tests restored the original flight speed limitations and maneuver operations for the Twin II and allowed the Twin II Acro only basic aerobatic maneuvers (spins, lazy eights, chandelles, stall turns, steep turns, and positive loops). An approved modification, when incorporated, restores full acrobatic status to these sailplanes (Service Bulletin315-66/1).
[edit] References
- ^ Johnson R, A Flight Test Evaluation of the Grob G103 Twin II, Soaring, Feb 1983
- ^ History of Gliding World Records: List of records established by the 'Grob Twin Astir II'
[edit] Sources
http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=368 (2)http://www.ssa.org/members/badgesandrecords/RecordTable.asp
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