Grob G-115

The Grob G 115 is a general aviation fixed-wing aircraft designed primarily for flight training, manufactured in Germany by Grob Aircraft. The initial Grob G 115 and G 115A models featured an upright fin and rudder, and were mainly sold to civilian aeroplane clubs in Germany, the United Kingdom, and several other countries.

Design

The aircraft is constructed of carbon composite materials, with the main fuselage and each wing spar made from a single piece. It features a fixed tricycle undercarriage with spatted wheels and a short nose housing a 180 horsepower piston engine coupled with a 3-bladed variable-pitch propeller. The aircraft was re-certified in 2013 with a new MT Propeller, redesigned after issues with the previous design, and the inverted oil system was also modified to improve lubrication during aerobatics. The cockpit includes a broad canopy arch and spine, side-by-side fixed seats, pilot-adjustable cushions, and a rudder bar adjuster. Its wings are tapered with square tips, and the empennage features a large fin and rudder, along with an oblong tailplane with square tips mid-set to the fuselage. The aircraft is capable of basic aerobatic maneuvers within +6G and −3G limits.

Armament

The Grob G 115 is not designed for combat or carrying weapons. As a training aircraft, it lacks any internal or external hardpoints for mounting ordnance.

Operational History

The Grob G 115 has seen service across multiple nations, often in a training capacity. The Grob 115E, designated Tutor T1, entered service with the Royal Air Force University Air Squadrons (UASs) and Air Experience Flights (AEFs) after the retirement of the Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1. The Tutor fleet is owned and maintained by Babcock International under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme and carries British civilian registrations. The E variant with a 3-blade variable pitch propeller is in service with the Finnish Air Force, the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps for Flying Grading and in the Royal Air Force as part of No. 6 Flying Training School (6 FTS) which provides flying to both University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights to Cadets of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Five Tutor T1s are operated by 727 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm for trainee pilot grading at RNAS Yeovilton. The Tutor fleet provided Elementary Flying Training (EFT) at RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath before being replaced by the Grob G120TP Prefect in 2018. The Egyptian Air Force operates a fleet of 74 aircraft. Some Tutor squadrons received Enhanced Avionics versions, which featured an updated instrument panel including a Garmin GNS 430W GPS system, digital HSI, and digital engine instruments, requiring an additional VHF aerial.

Variants

Main Variants:

• Grob G 115: The initial model, primarily sold to civilian aeroplane clubs, featured an upright fin and rudder.

• Grob G 115A: Similar to the initial G 115, it was also mainly sold to civilian aeroplane clubs.

• Grob 115D2 (Heron): Initially bought by the Royal Navy, only six Herons are recorded to exist.

• Grob 115E (Tutor): Designated Tutor T1 by the MoD, it's used by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy for elementary flying training.

• Enhanced Avionics (EA) Tutors: An updated Tutor version with an enhanced instrument panel, featuring a Garmin GNS 430W GPS system, digital HSI, and digital engine instruments.