Germany's Grob is close to commencing IFR trials of its
first jet, the Grob SPn, and is installing a spin chute as it begins pushing
the performance envelope for characteristics like stall speed, ExecuJet said
here. Described as "a new class of private jet," the short-runway-capable SPn
will be able to take six passengers and a single pilot about 1,800 nmi. The
aircraft was unveiled in Paris and made its first flight on July 20. French air
force veteran Gerard Guillaumaud is chief test pilot. Grob is building a second
example of the all-composite aircraft to begin flying in early spring. "We
can't say we're cutting metal, because there's no metal to cut," ExecuJet's
Charles Porteus told Show News. EASA certification of the Grob SPn is expected
in first quarter 2007 and the FAA nod in the second quarter.
