Grob Aircraft G 115

Single Piston

The Grob G 115 is a German-designed two-seat trainer that has become a workhorse for civilian flight schools and military ab-initio programs worldwide since its introduction in 1985. Built by Grob Aircraft in Mindelheim-Mattsies, Bavaria, the G 115 was developed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of professional pilot training, combining docile handling with sturdy construction and low operating costs. Its all-composite airframe, unusual for trainers of its era, delivers exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, making it particularly popular in coastal and tropical environments where metal airframes suffer accelerated wear. The type gained significant credibility when the Royal Air Force selected the militarised G 115E variant (designated Tutor T.1) to replace the venerable de Havilland Chipmunk in 1996, and it has since been adopted by the Spanish Air Force, Indonesian Air Force, and numerous other military training organizations. Powered by a Lycoming O-235 or O-320 engine producing 115 to 160 horsepower depending on variant, the G 115 cruises at around 120 knots and offers a service ceiling of 14,000 feet, modest figures that reflect its purpose-built role as a primary trainer rather than a cross-country tourer. The aircraft's benign stall characteristics, wide speed envelope (VNE of 163 knots), and excellent visibility from the tandem or side-by-side cockpit make it ideal for teaching everything from basic airwork to aerobatics and instrument flying. In civilian service, the G 115 competes directly with the Piper PA-28 and Cessna 152/172 series but offers lower fuel burn and maintenance costs thanks to its composite construction and efficient powerplant. Australian operators have been particularly enthusiastic adopters, using the type extensively for ab-initio training in the country's demanding outback conditions. SkyMeter has tracked 649 flights across 93 airframes and 9 operators, with INDI FLIGHT PTY LTD the largest observed operator.