Germany's Grob Aerospace occupies an enviable position in the military trainer sector, with its G115 and G120 two-seaters having enjoyed extensive sales and the company's production line for the latter design already booked until the end of 2007. The composite G115 has an airframe life of at least 24,000h, while the G120's current estimate of 15,000h is also expected to increase, the company says.
Grob has forecast sales of around 500 high-end piston trainers over the next five years, citing a likely split of 60:40 between its traditional military users and support for airline pilot training, the rapidly expanding Chinese commercial market and what the company describes as "phenomenal business jet growth". Military opportunities are eyed in Australia, Portugal and perhaps longer-term in the UK, which already uses 99 G115s under a private finance initiative (PFI) deal with VT Aerospace. Grob trainers are also in use under a PFI set-up in Israel, while the G120 was also recently ordered to equip an EADS-run facility in France.
Low operating costs
In the military sector, Grob believes customers will be able to download some training on to the G120A from traditional Phase II training, such as instrument, low-level and formation flying, taking advantage of the type's low operating cost. However, the company says such a requirement would call for the integration of a glass cockpit, potentially from systems developed by companies such as Chelton, Garmin and Honeywell.
Grob has, meanwhile, suspended development of its turboprop-powered G140 trainer, which, it says, was designed around a specific military requirement which failed to materialise. "Certification has stopped at the moment," says Denzil White, the company's new director of special mission and trainer aircraft. "But it would take less than 12 months to certify the aircraft if a customer comes forward."
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Source: Flight International
