Grob G 120TP (c/n 11112, G-CJYG), performing a flypast over Penzing Air Base during the Tag der Bundeswehr 2017 spotter day, Penzing, June 2017.
The Grob G 120TP is the third aircraft in the family of basic trainer aeroplanes developed in Germany by Grob Aircraft (formerly known as Grob Aerospace).
The story began with the G 115, which first flew in November 1985. This single-engine, two-seat, low-wing monoplane, made of carbon composite, became a basic training aeroplane in several armed forces, including those of the United Kingdom (where it is known as the Heron or Tutor), Finland, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, and was also acquired by many privately operated flying schools all over the world.
In 1999, Grob introduced a new design, known as the G 120. The aircraft was developed from the G 115TA (which stands for Twin Acro or Trainer Acro), a modified variant of the G 115 featuring structurally reinforced fuselage and wings.
The G 120 was, like its predecessors, made of carbon composite and offered several upgrades over the previous designs, such as a more spacious cockpit, movable seats and a second thrust lever. The initial variant of the aircraft, designated the G 120A, was powered by a 260 hp Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5 six-cylinder piston engine.
In 2010, a modified variant of the aircraft, designated the G 120TP and powered by a 456 shp Rolls-Royce M250-B17F turboprop engine, performed its maiden flight. The aeroplane was developed as a modern basic trainer, in line with the latest military requirements, and could be used as a lead-in aircraft for jet pilot training.
The G 120TP was equipped with a HOTAS control system. Additional options were suited to military aviation requirements and included Martin-Baker Mk.17 lightweight ejection seats, a four-screen glass cockpit, an oxygen system and an autopilot.
The Indonesian Air Force became the first customer for the new G 120TP trainer, and was soon followed by more than ten other air forces worldwide, including Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, the United Kingdom (where it is known as the Grob Prefect T1) and the United States.
In June 2017, one of the newly manufactured G 120TPs was demonstrated during the spotter day held at Penzing Air Base (also known as Landsberg-Lech Air Base or Fliegerhorst Landsberg/Lech), where it performed a flypast over the base runway. At that time, the aeroplane wore the temporary civil registration G-CJYG. At the beginning of the following month, this G 120TP was officially delivered to the Royal Air Force and received the military serial ZM303. In November 2017, the aircraft entered service with the RAF.
