Having used the 2001 Salon to debut the unflown prototype of its
four-seat G 140, Germany's Grob-Werke has repeated the process
this year with the seven-place G 160TP Ranger which is due to
take to the air in a few months.
First details of the P&W PT6-powered turboprop were released
only a couple of weeks ago, but the real aircraft is now available
for inspection in the static park. The low-wing aircraft has a
conspicuously bulged center fuselage, supporting the company's
claim that it has the largest cabin in its class for its unconventional
2+4+1 passenger seating arrangement.
Priced "well below 2 million euros," the G 160TP derives
its name not from Texas law officers or park attendants, but in
reference to long legs able to bestride a highly respectable range
of 1,800 nmi with a full complement of passengers. Other vital
statistics include an EFIS avionics package, 1,590-pound useful
load and interior appointments such as a lavatory with washstand,
laptop connections and optional refreshment center.
This upward expansion of the product line of a company which came
to aviation via sailplane design and manufacture is crafted in
the same carbon fiber composites on which Grob-Werke cut its metaphorical
teeth. Customer deliveries are planned a year from now, and company
VP Marketing Hans Doll says, "We're convinced that this program
will be a market success and will prove a worthwhile investment
in our future." This return on investment will be achieved,
even if single-engine IFR continues to be prohibited in Europe.
Meanwhile, the G 140 began flight trials last December, having
been slowed by a priority order for G 120 piston-engine trainers
from Israel. The Rolls-Royce 250-powered turboprop has already
demonstrated performance above predictions and is now slated for
type certification in the third quarter of this year.'
