P Gr lan ob eS sp ens n e to ad Fl ds ee t

PREVIEW

EBACE 2008

Reprinted from BART International Magazine

GROB AEROSPACE A JET-ENGINED TURBOPROP

By Jean-Marie Siecle Do not misunderstand the above title. If you stop and think about it, its true the Grob spn shares numerous characteristics traditionally applied to the turboprop. For instance, the Grob light twinjet indeed offers, for its size and category, landing characteristics on very short and/or unpaved runways typically reserved for turboprops. Further, at maximum takeoff weight, the spn has a balanced field length of 3,000 feet (914 m). This is due to its large speed-brakes and ground spoilers which, together with the large Fowler flaps, provide excellent performances. More so, at maximum landing weight, its Vref speed of 100 kts enables the aircraft to undertake steep approaches at operationally challenging airports such as London City a significant selling point that makes the aircraft very appealing across all markets. But, of course, the spn is a real turbofan aircraft with a spacious cabin (volume of 405 cu.ft - 11.5 m), a large passenger door and a maximum cruise speed of 415 kts. With six passengers and one pilot, it flies like a turbofan going non-stop 1,800 nm (3,334 km) with NBAA IFR reserves. Arriving at EBACE in Style Grob Aerospace will come to EBACE 2008 with a sp n equipped with a Porsche designed cabin that will be standard aboard its all-composite spn light jets. The interior has also been extended to the cockpit of the sp n , featuring the enhanced Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite. It is the first time that Porsche Design Studio has applied its philosophy and design to the interior and cockpit of a business jet a design inspired by the clean lines of highend automotive interiors using high-

CHARACTER. The Grob twinjet offers the landing characteristics of a turboprop.

quality material that includes gloss wood veneer, metal finishing, alcantara and soft leather. Noting that extending the look to the cockpit has proved to be a smart decision, Grob Aerospace CEO Niall Olver says, Grob Aerospace engineers and the Porsche Design Studio team have worked hard to capture just what we wanted to achieve with this interior. Since its public debut at the Paris Air Show in 2005, Grob Aerospace has secured in excess of 70 orders or the equivalent to two years production - for the sp n . These nonrefundable deposits have come from customers in North America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The market is responding so well to the spn that we are exceeding our present sales targets and are confident we will meet, or exceed, our goal of delivering 400 aircraft over the next decade, says Olver. Production at our facility in Tussenhausen Mattsies (Germany) is gearing up to produce 40 aircraft in the first full year of production. This can easily be doubled to 80 for a modest investment. The aircraft sells for US$ 5.9 million.

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Program Update Fatigue testing installations have been installed and successfully tested. The fatigue test itself will start during the coming months. Testing will simulate 84,000 flight hours and 51,000 landings and pressurization cycles to a minimum of 28,000 hours and 17,000 landings. It is already well understood in the market that ongoing maintenance of the spn is simplified owing to the aircrafts fully carbon fiber construction, thereby virtually avoiding fatigue or corrosion problems that affect aircraft built of metal. However, with the goal of further simplifying maintainability, Grob Aerospace has relocated certain systems into the wing fairing, including the oxygen system, single point pressure fuelling and some electrical power distribution. This equipment will be easily accessible through large access panels designs motivated by the positive reaction from future maintainers and operators. Production spec equipment installed for the first time on the third test aircraft was the landing gear, for which a series of drop tests confirmed strength and energy absorption. Developed by Liebherr Aerospace, the main trailing link landing gear, as well as the nose landing gear, boasts a very robust design and allows the spn to land on unprepared airfields. Sitting higher than most aircraft in this class, the extra clearance provided by the landing gear ensures the aircraft is less exposed to debris. Overall stability is enhanced with carbon brakes powered by a hydraulic braking system featuring anti-skid functionality.

"Grob Aerospace engineers and the Porsche Design Studio team have worked hard to capture just what we wanted to achieve with this interior."

Grob Breaks into US Fractional Market Last fall, Grob Aerospace announced that PlaneSense, one of the five largest US fractional ownership programs and managed by Alpha Flying Inc., had confirmed an order for 25 aircraft. The first units will join the PlaneSense fleet towards the end of 2008. Aircraft 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 new fleet of sp n jets at PlaneSense will complement the current fleet of 34 Pilatus PC-12 turboprops and will enable a significant expansion for Alpha Flying. PlaneSense was first launched 12 years ago to offer aircraft fractional ownership with a regional focus throughout the Eastern USA. Looking at the expansion of PlaneSense and with owners and potential owners wishing to fly more quickly over longer distances, we determined that the spn best suited our needs, says George Antoniadis. Its 3,000 foot balance field performance and ability to operate from unimproved airfields, coupled with its large cabin, excellent economics and business jet speed of up to 41,000 feet were key criteria.

A Game-Changer for the Middle East Market Grob Aerospace, which attended the Dubai Air Show last November, firmly believes the sp n s rugged field performance, comfortable cabin, large passenger door, good payload-range and economics positions combine to make it a luxury SUV. These factors could prove to be key selling points for Middle Eastern operators. The Middle East Business Aviation market has experienced exceptional recent growth of almost 20 percent compared to last year, says Olver. We expect the sp n to play an important role in satisfying the growing demand for jets that can reach airfields others cannot. As Olver correctly points out, the viability of light jets as a valuable business tool is becoming increasingly recognized in the region. We n see the sp as a game-changer for the region, he says. Being the only Part 23 aircraft with an APU, n the Grob sp is perfectly positioned UNIQUE. to become the entry level Light The Grob SPn Jet for the Middle East. is the only Part 23 aircraft with an APU.

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