Grob Aircraft G 103 Twin Astir

Single Piston

The Grob G 103 Twin Astir is a German-built two-seat motor glider that bridges the gap between pure sailplanes and powered aircraft. Developed by Grob Aircraft in the late 1970s as a self-launching variant of the successful Twin Astir sailplane, it features a retractable propeller and small piston engine that allows pilots to take off independently and climb to soaring altitude without a tow plane. Once airborne, the engine can be shut down and the propeller folded away, transforming the aircraft into a high-performance glider with an impressive glide ratio exceeding 30:1. This dual capability made it popular with soaring clubs and private pilots across Europe who wanted the freedom of powered flight combined with the efficiency and joy of silent soaring. The aircraft's docile handling, excellent visibility from its tandem cockpit, and relatively low operating costs established it as a training standard for pilots transitioning from pure gliders to motor gliders. Its lightweight composite construction and long, slender wings give it exceptional climb performance on minimal power, typically reaching soaring altitude within minutes of takeoff. The prevalence of German D-M registrations reflects the type's strong following in its home market, where motor gliding remains a vibrant segment of general aviation. SkyMeter has tracked 172 flights across 32 airframes and 7 operators, with SIMPLYFLY LLC the largest observed operator.