Grob G 120TP
| G 120TP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Grob G 120TP | |
| Role | Trainer |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Grob Aircraft |
| First flight | 2010 |
| Developed from | Grob G-120 |
The Grob G 120TP is a two-seat turboprop training and aerobatic low-wing aircraft with a composite airframe, built by Grob Aircraft. It is based on the Grob G 120A training aircraft and has been developed for military and civil pilots training. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear and a low tailplane.
The first customer was the Indonesian Air Force. EASA Part 23 type certification was completed in May 2013.[1]
Design and development
Designed to be a further development of the G 120A, the G 120TP turned during the development process into a nearly new type of aircraft. Due to the new powertrain, the G 120TP offers new capabilities for basic and advanced pilot training where it can be used as a lead in for a jet trainer.[2]
The airframe is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic and is stressed to +6/-4g. The wings are made of carbon fibre composites with winglets.
The cockpit provides room for students and teachers wearing military equipment and helmets. The HOTAS control system is similar to that found in other types of aircraft that students may fly later in their careers. Therefore basic and advanced flight training for future transport aircraft, helicopter or jet pilots will be possible. The cockpit is equipped with movable seats, or optional the new Martin-Baker Mk.17 lightweight ejection seats can be chosen. The instrument panel can be equipped with a 4-screen Genesys Aerosystems IDU-680 EFIS.[3][4] An air conditioning system and oxygen system are available as well as a second thrust lever.
Operators
Argentina- Argentina is the second operator of the G 120TP - but the first one using the digital cockpit configuration. Deliveries of the first batch of four aircraft started in June 2013. 10 (+5) aircraft were ordered.[5]
Indonesia- The launch customer for the G 120TP was the Indonesian Air Force. Deliveries have started. The contract is for 18 aircraft (+6 follow-up orders out of 14 optional) as well as a G 120TP – Flight Simulation Training Device.[6][7]
Mexico- The Mexican Air Force (FAM) has selected the Grob G 120TP as its new elementary trainer. The contract contains 25 aircraft (+15) with delivery of first batch expected to be in February 2015.[8][9]
United Kingdom- The future UK Military Flying Training System (MFTS) program will provide British military pilots elementary training on G 120TPs according to some press reports. The system replaces separate flying fixed-wing and rotary training programs for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps. The service provider Affinity will likely include the G 120TP together with the Beechcraft T-6 the initial, basic and advanced training, and with the Embraer Phenom 100 the Transport Pilot segment.[10]
United States- The United States Army selected the G 120TP to provide comprehensive initial and recurrent training for more than 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force fixed-wing pilots annually, covering transition of army rotary-wing aviators and training of army initial-entry fixed-wing students.
- Together with CAE USA, Grob Aircraft will provide turnkey training services including academic, simulator, and live flying training with a total of 6 aircraft at a new training center to be built at Dothan Regional Airport in Alabama, close to the U.S. Army's Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) at Fort Rucker.[11]
Specifications
Data from Grob[12]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 10.3 m (33 ft 10 in)
- Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 13.5 m2 (145 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,095 kg (2,414 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,590 kg (3,505 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 360 litres (79 imp gal; 95 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce M250-B17F Turboprop aircraft engine, 340 kW (456 hp)
- Propellers: 5-bladed MT Propeller, 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 454 km/h; 282 mph (245 kn)
- Cruise speed: 435 km/h; 270 mph (235 kn) (at MCP, 10,000 ft)
- Stall speed: 107 km/h; 67 mph (58 kn) (MSL, landing configuration)
- Range: 1,074 km; 667 mi (580 nmi) at 5,000 ft and 75% power
- Ferry range: 1,361 km; 846 mi (735 nmi) at 10,000 ft and 45% power
- Endurance: 6 hours at 10,000 ft and maximum endurance power setting
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
- g limits: +6/-4G
- Rate of climb: 14.08 m/s (2,772 ft/min)
Avionics
- Garmin GTN 650/750
- Sandel SN3500 EHSI
- EFIS Genesys Aerosystems IDU-680 (optional)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ↑ EASA-TCDS-A.565
- ↑ Flightglobal – FLIGHT TEST: Grob Aircraft G 120TP – Pocket rocket
- ↑ Flightglobal – IN FOCUS: Grob Aircraft bullish over more G 120TP sales
- ↑ Flightglobal - A Touch of Glass
- ↑ "El país incorpora cuatro flamantes aviones de entrenamiento militar". Ambito.com. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
- ↑ Flightglobal – Indonesian win launches Grob's G120TP
- ↑ The Jakarta Post - RI first class air force on horizon: Minister
- ↑ IHS Jane's 360 - Mexico selects Grob trainer
- ↑ Vuela - EXCLUSIVA: La Fuerza Aérea Mexicana compra 25 aeronaves turbohélice Grob G120TP
- ↑ Defense News - Elbit-KBR Team Tapped for UK Trainer Competition
- ↑ Marketwatch - CAE USA wins U.S. Army contract to provide comprehensive training for fixed-wing pilots
- ↑ Grob Aircraft (n.d.). "Grob G 120TP Technical Specifications". Retrieved 20 March 2012.
External links
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