Grob G 120

Grob G 120
A Grob G 120A from a Canadian flight school
General information
TypeTrainer
National originGermany
ManufacturerGrob Aircraft
StatusActive in production
Primary usersFrench Air and Space Force
History
Manufactured1999-present
First flight1999
Developed fromGrob G 115
VariantsGrob G 120TP

The Grob G 120 is a two-seat training and aerobatic low-wing aircraft with a carbon composite airframe, built by Grob Aircraft. It is based on the Grob G 115TA training aircraft and is specially designed for military and civil pilots training. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear and a low tailplane.

Design and development

The airframe is made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and is stressed to +6/-4g. Its minimum service life is just over 15,000 flight hours.[1]

The cockpit provides room for students wearing military equipment and helmets. The plane is equipped with movable seats and rudder pedals and an air conditioning system.[citation needed] A second thrust lever is available.[1]

Variants

G 120A
Piston powered version with a Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5 six cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled piston aircraft engine producing 260 hp (194 kW).[2]
G 120TP
Turboprop powered version with a Rolls-Royce 250-B17F aircraft engine producing 456 shp (340 kW) for take-off and 380 shp (283 kW) for maximum cruise.[1]

Operators

One of six G 120A of the Kenya Air Force
Grob G-120A badge worn by a Canadian military student pilot from 3 CFFTS
Grob G120A used by RCAF
 Canada
 France
 Germany
 Israel
 Kenya

Specifications (G 120A)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 8.605 m (28 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.19 m (33 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 2.57 m (8 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 13.29 m2 (143.1 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: Eppler E884
  • Empty weight: 960 kg (2,116 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,440 kg (3,175 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,490 kg (3,285 lb) (Utility)[8]
  • Fuel capacity: 256 litres (56 imp gal; 68 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5 air-cooled flat-six, 190 kW (260 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell HC-C3YR-1RF/F7663R, 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) diameter [8]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 319 km/h (198 mph, 172 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 307 km/h (191 mph, 166 kn) at 75% power (1,500 m (5,000 ft))
  • Stall speed: 102 km/h (63 mph, 55 kn) with full flaps
  • Never exceed speed: 435 km/h (270 mph, 235 kn)
  • Range: 1,540 km (960 mi, 830 nmi) at 8,000 ft (2,400 m) and 45% power)
  • Endurance: 6.35 hours at 10,000 ft and maximum endurance power setting[8]
  • Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
  • g limits: +6/-4G
  • Rate of climb: 6.5 m/s (1,280 ft/min)

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b c "G 120TP - GROB AIRCRAFT SE". grob-aircraft.com. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  2. ^ "G 120A: High-performance training and aerobatics" (PDF). Grob Aircraft. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  3. ^ Transport Canada listing of aircraft owned by "Allied Wings"
  4. ^ a b c d e "Fleet Customers". Grob Aircraft. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  5. ^ IDF confirms Air Force pilot, cadet killed in training mission
  6. ^ "GROB G-120A (Hebrew nickname: 'Snunit' ('Swallow'))". Israeli Air Force.
  7. ^ Jackson 2003, pp. 166–167.
  8. ^ a b c Grob Aircraft (n.d.). "Grob 120A Technical Specifications". Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  • Grob G 115,120 and 140 Information brochure and Technical Datasheet (Grob Aerospace Sales Department, 2004)
  • Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
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