Grob G 102 Astir

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The Grob G 102 Astir is a high-performance single-seat sailplane designed by Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau in Germany and first flown in 1974. It became one of the most successful gliders of its era, with over 1,000 units produced across multiple variants including the Standard Astir CS, Club Astir CS 77, and Speed Astir IIB. The type was particularly popular in European soaring clubs and competitive gliding circuits throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, earning a reputation for docile handling, efficient thermalling, and respectable cross-country performance. The Astir's fiberglass construction and clean aerodynamics delivered glide ratios around 38:1 in the CS variant and up to 42:1 in the Speed Astir, making it competitive in Standard Class racing while remaining accessible to intermediate pilots. Its 15-meter wingspan and relatively light empty weight of approximately 460 pounds allowed for excellent climb rates in weak lift, and the type set numerous national and regional soaring records during its heyday. Though largely supplanted by more modern designs in competitive soaring, the G 102 remains a beloved classic among vintage glider enthusiasts and continues to fly at clubs across Europe. SkyMeter has tracked 5 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with distinct routes observed.