Grob GF 109 performance and specifications

Data for G 109B

  • TYPE: 2-seat motor-glider.
  • PERIOD BUILT: 1980-
  • COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
  • ENGINE: One Grob 2500 piston engine of 70 bhp / 67 kW.
  • DIMENSIONS:
    • Wing span: 57 ft 2 in / 17.42 m.
    • Length: 25 ft 9 in / 8.1 m
    • Height: unknown
  • WEIGHTS:
    • Empty: 1,362 lb / 645 kg
    • Gross: 1,874 lb / 850 kg
  • PERFORMANCE:
    • Max. speed: 130 kts / 241 kph
    • Max. cruising speed: 103 kts / 118 mph / 190 kph
    • Rate of climb: 670 ft/min.
    • Endurance: Normally 5 hrs.
    • Service ceiling: 17,770 ft.
  • CAPACITY: Pilot plus 1 passenger

Germany's light aircraft industry has strong roots in the pre-war glider era, and has not lost the expertise in sailplane construction developed in that time. Grob Flugzeugbau, a successful builder of sailplanes, was able to enter the expanding 1970s sailplane market with its own design, the G.109, which first flew in 1980.
Some 154 G.109 and 322 G.109B's were built. Although manufacture ceased, it was taken up again in 1990 when the RAF placed an order for a number of aircraft as elementary trainers.
The aircraft is reported to handle well, to have excellent visibility and to be cosy but comfortable in the cockpit, which has standard dual controls. With the throttle closed and prop feathered the G.109 claims a 30:1 glide ratio, but has a low fuel consumption of about 12 litres per hour.