Following its successful first flight on December 12, 2002, flight tests of the four-seat turboprop G140TP have begun at Grob Aerospace. A spokesperson said: “The first flights displayed even better performance potential than original calculations had indicated.

“As well as a higher airspeed, the aircraft also attained a climb of 2,700 feet per minute.”

Grob is promoting the G140TP as a cost-effective alternative to other single-engine turboprop models. The aircraft has a range of 2,130 kilometres and is able to use short hard and grass runways from 700 metres in length.

The company has already exhibited a first prototype at the 2001 Paris Air Show. The original development schedule was adjusted due to capacity being taken up by two fleet orders for the G120 aircraft. Type certificate is now planned for the autumn of this year.