Grob GF 200
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name=GF 200 |image=Grob_GF200.jpg |caption= }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |type=Business aircraft |national origin=Germany |manufacturer=Grob Aircraft |designer= |first flight=26 November 1991 |introduced= |retired= |status= |primary user= |more users= |produced= |number built=1 |variants with their own articles= }} |
The Grob GF 200 was a business aircraft of unorthodox design developed in Germany during the 1990s.
Design and development
The GF 200 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with retractable tricycle undercarriage and a highly streamlined fuselage. The engine was mounted within the fuselage, to the rear of the passenger cabin, and drove the pusher propeller via a driveshaft. The GF 200 has a T-tail, but also a large ventral fin beneath the fuselage. Like other Grob designs, construction throughout was of composite materials, in the case of this particular aircraft, including the driveshaft.
Development commenced in 1983 but was postponed due to concerns about achieving certification for the composite design. However, with financial support from the German government, development commenced in earnest by the end of the decade. The project officially launched at the Hannover Show in May 1988, at which a mockup of the design was displayed and a hope expressed to have the aircraft flying within two years.
Operational history
File:D-EFKH Grob GF 200.jpg in 1995]]
As it transpired, the prototype was rolled out in March 1991, in the hope of a first flight by May, and which finally took place on 26 November.
The aircraft made its first public appearance at the Berlin Air Show in 1992. Initial flight tests revealed problems with engine cooling and excessive noise. The former concern was addressed by a redesign of the engine air intakes.
The prototype was intended as a test aircraft and technology demonstrator, and lacked many of the refinements that would have been incorporated into a production aircraft, including cabin pressurisation, de-icing equipment, and even a complete cabin interior. When Grob was unable to find financial backing to take the design further, the company embarked on the construction of a more "true-to-life" prototype in 1997, the GF 250, in the belief that this would prove more attractive to potential business partners.
Further planned developments included the turboshaft-powered GF 300, and the GF 350 with twin turboshaft engines driving a common propeller.
Specifications (GF 200)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1992–93Lambert 1992, p. 81.
|prime units?=met
|crew=One (pilot)
|capacity=3 passengers
|length m=8.50
|length ft=
|length in=
|span m=11.00
|span ft=
|span in=
|height m=3.20
|height ft=
|height in=
|wing area sqm=12.53
|wing area sqft=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=
|max takeoff weight kg=1450
|gross weight lb=
|fuel capacity={{convert|350|L|USgal impgal|abbr=on}}
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AF1A
|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-six engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=270
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=Mühlbauer constant-speed pusher
|prop dia m=2.00
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kmh=445
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=(max cruise)
|range km=2650
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=7620
|ceiling ft=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1220
|more performance=*Take-off run to 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|600|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|450|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|avionics=
}}
See also
References
{{Commonscat|Grob GF 200}}
=Citations=
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book|editor-last=Lambert|editor-first=Mark|title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1992–93|year=1992|publisher=Jane's Data Division|location=Coulsdon, UK|isbn=0-7106-0987-6}}
- {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London |pages=927 }}
- {{cite book |last= Simpson |first= R. W. |title=Airlife's General Aviation |year=1995 |publisher=Airlife Publishing |location=Shrewsbury |pages=200, 203 }}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob launches GF.200 |journal=Flight International |date=14 May 1988 |pages=5 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%201271.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob pushes for GF200 roll-out |journal=Flight International |date=27 March – 2 April 1991 |pages=20 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1991/1991%20-%200702.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob GF200 pusher set to fly |journal=Flight International | date=6–12 November 1991 |pages=4 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1991/1991%20-%202858.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob tests highlight exhaust problem |journal=Flight International | date=24–30 June 1992 |pages=11 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1992/1992%20-%201611.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob seeks partner to finance GF200 launch |journal=Flight International | date=16–22 November 1994 |pages=21 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202808.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob plans GF200 stretch version |journal=Flight International | date=13–19 September 1995 |pages=21 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1995/1995%20-%202614.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |last=Henley |first=Peter |title=Novel Design |journal=Flight International | date=15–21 November 1995 |pages=34–36 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1995/1995%20-%203319.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
- {{cite journal |title=Grob builds variant of GF200 |journal=Flight International | date=19–25 November 1997 |pages=25 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1997/1997%20-%203165.html |accessdate=2008-04-14}}
{{refend}}
{{Grob aircraft}}
Category:1990s German business aircraft