spn Flight Envelope Fully Opened - 2nd Prototype Completes First Flight

The flight envelope of the spn, Grob Aerospace’s new versatile, all composite light jet, has been now fully opened while the second prototype, P2, has completed its first flight and production of the third prototype, P3, is poised to start in early October for entry into the program in early 2007.

P1 achieved a maximum altitude of 41,000 ft and recently confirmed the maximum speed of M 0.70. A stall speed of 77kts at MLW was recorded. Take-off distance was confirmed at 3,000 ft Balanced Field Length at MTOW and landing distance was even shortened by 10% to 2,670 ft at MLW, down from 2,950 ft.

 Structural certification is well advanced with static tests on wings, fuselage, tail, control surfaces and seat attachment points, as well as cabin and tank pressurisation tests, successfully passed in the first quarter of 2005. With the bird strike tests completed successfully in June 2006 preparations are being made for the fatigue tests, the only remaining structural tests.

The second prototype, P2, made its first successful flight on 29. September 2006, taking off from the company airport in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, and equipped with the Honeywell Primus APEX suite – making it the first aircraft aloft with the suite. P2 is the first spn prototype to be equipped with the enhanced Honeywell Primus APEX avionics suite, which offers the most user friendly and state of the art cockpit available for light jets. The enhanced APEX reduces pilot workload, which particularly benefits single-pilot operation, and allows greater integration of future avionics upgrades and options.

About the spn
The spn, boasts an impressive range and payload for an aircraft in its class.  With six passengers and single pilot, the aircraft can serve 1,800 nm (3334 km).  The aircraft features a total cabin volume of 405 cu.ft (11.5m³) – the largest in the light business jet class by a fair margin, and a large passenger door.

Early sales success for the industry’s new generation light business jet has raised market interest with its unique operating characteristics.  This includes being able to operate on unimproved runways (gravel or grass), traditionally the domain of a turboprop, requiring a balanced field length of just 3,000ft (914m) at maximum take off weight.

The spn will also be certified for single pilot operation, and is equipped with an avionics suite more advanced than that of any other aircraft close to its class. Honeywell’s integrated all glass cockpit sets new standards for simplicity, reliability and technology. Two rear-mounted FADEC controlled Williams FJ44-3A engines deliver 2,800lbs (1,270kg) of thrust.

Now well advanced in its flight certification phase, the aircraft, which carries a price tag of €5.8 million, is on target for European EASA certification during the third quarter of 2007 and for US FAA certification during fourth quarter 2007. First customer deliveries are to commence in the fourth quarter of 2007.

About Grob Aerospace – 35 Years of Aviation History
Grob Aerospace was founded in 1971 and its history spans 35 years. The company is headquartered in Switzerland but maintains its own purpose built airfield in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany that accommodates its manufacturing and assembly facilities. Grob Aerospace is one of the world’s largest and the most experienced composite aircraft manufacturer. It has delivered more than 3,500 aircraft that have flown over seven million hours on five continents.

Editor’s Note:
The spⁿ is named in recognition of its ‘Special Performance; Superior Payload and Single Pilot ability. All are abbreviated to spⁿ – the sp to the “nth” degree.

For further information contact:
Elisabeth Palander              
Marketing Coordinator               
Grob Aerospace AG              
+41 44 876 56 82              
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Celia Turner/ Helen Stevens
Emerald Media
+44 7703 344425 / +44 1962 736600
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Original Release