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Aviation History
1980
1980 - 0013.PDF
FLIGHT International, 5 January 1980 11 Grob to produce powered aircraft GERMAN sailplane manufacturer Grob is to enter the powered aircraft market. A two-seat motor-glider and a 115/150 h.p. two-seater are cur rently under development. Both are T-tailed and similar. First of the new Grob aircraft is the G109 side-by-side two-seat motor- glider, due to fly at the end of January. The prototype is nearing completion at the Mattsies factory in Bavaria. Powered by an 80 h.p. Limbach L2000E, driving a two-blade wooden Hoffmann propeller (variable in three positions for take-off, cruise and glide), the G109 is made of g.r.p. (glassfibre- reinforced plastic) throughout. The glassfibre monocoque fuselage, with frames and longeron, carries a T-tail with elevator and mass-balanced rudder. The low-set, tapered wing has a glassfibre/epoxy resin sandwich skin and a glassfibre-roving main spar. It carries ailerons and upper-surface aluminium airbrakes. The landing gear consists of two mainwheels and a steerable tailwheel. The pilots sit side-by-side under a one - piece, forward - opening canopy giving a good all-round view. They have comfortable seats and sticks, and the instrument panel is wide enough for a good selection of instruments and navaids. The G109 has a span of 15m, length of 7-8m and a height of l-8m. Empty weight is 450kg and take-off weight 720kg. Performances claimed by Grob include a top speed of 118kt (220km/ hr), a climb rate of 2-6m/sec and a range of about 540 n.m. (1,000 km). Power-off glide ratio is estimated at 30, and minimum sinking speed at 0-9m/sec. Twenty have already been ordered at a price of 52,0OODm plus VAT. Later machines will cost 55,00ODm. Grob sees a market for 200 examples over the next few years. Deliveries could start in June and the company expects to break even at 50 machines. The other new powered aircraft, being developed in parallel with the G109, is the G215 side-by-side two- seater, powered either by a 115 h.p. Lycoming 0-235 or 150 h.p. Lycoming Flying farmers THE National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, is the venue for a confer ence entitled "Farm Aviation—The Role of Aircraft" on January 16. The conference aims to "draw the far mer's attention to the full scope of an aircraft's abilities and how it can be gainfully employed as a management tool". Papers will be presented on "Becoming a Flying Farmer," "The Aeroplane as an Aid to Management," "Aerial Photography for the Amateur and Professional" and "The Aeroplane as a Farm Implement." More details from the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warks; tele phone 0203 56151. 0-320 driving a two-bladed propeller. The cockpit and fuselage are similar to the G109 with comfortable seats, sticks and adjustable rudder pedals. The instrument panel provides ample space for avionics and VHF and VOR aerials are standard, as are cabin heating and ventilation. The tricycle landing gear has wheel brakes and nosewheel steering. The 13m2 wings are detachable and carry flaps. Wing profile is Eppler 763. Construction is of g.r.p. throughout and is similar to that used in the G109. Empty weight is 465kg and max weight 850kg. Span is 10m and length 7-2m. Grob claims a cruising speed of 132kt (245km/hr) (75 per cent power) and a climb rate of 4-7m/sec; the 150 h.p. version will offer a 154kt (285km/hr) cruise. Take-off distance to 15m is 350m and range 1,400km without reserves. The 150 h.p. version takes off in 268m and flies 1,050km. The G125 is similar to the Piper Tomahawk and Beech Skipper, but has I Private tFynKnr Official organ of tha Royal Aero Club a superior performance. Grob be lieves that the G125 is equally well suited to training, glider towing and touring. First flight is currently planned for the second half of 1980 but there is as yet no firm decision to go ahead with production. Grob continues production of its range of sailplanes, currently running at one-and-a-half aircraft a day. The 1980 range includes a new two-seater to replace the Twin Astir. A further report will follow. •X C TJ C: ==tt Crob's new GI09 motorglider (left) bears a close resemblance to the new G2I5 (right) Updated Flight Briefings WHEN Volume I of Flight Briefing for Pilots first appeared in 1961, it filled a big need for a practical guide to the principles of flight and air exercises involved in the Private Pilot's Licence syllabus, and since then there has been a big following for the subsequent volumes that deal with more advanced topics, and the PPL ground subjects. Taking the last volume first, the third edition has been reset, revised and updated to include a new chapter on field performance and weight and balance. Volume 3 covers radio aids, and the new edition has seen even more revision to include up-to-date radio panel illustrations and pictorial displays. A new chapter covers area navigation. With the introduction of the revised IMC Rating in 1980, many UK private pilots will be encouraged to learn how to use radio aids at an earlier stage. This volume is a handy introduction to the black boxes in volved in flying up to Instrument Rat ing levels and beyond. Flight Briefing for Pilots Volume 3 (Radio Aids to Air Navigation) and Volume 4 (Associated Ground Subjects) by N. H. Birch and A. E. Bramson (Pit man Publishing, 39 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PB; £4-95 each). Malta air rally THE 11th Malta International Air Rally is to be held from Saturday, June 21 to Wednesday, June 25, 1980. There will be many trophies to be won in individual competitions as well as for the best overall result. Trophies will be awarded at an official prize- giving ceremony on the last evening of the rally. Details from the Chairman, the Organising Committee, The Inter national Air Rally of Malta, Rally House, Dragonora Palace Street, Julians, Malta.
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