The turboprop derivative of the four-seat Grob 120 made its first flight on December 20 from Mindelheim-Mattsies (EDMN) Airport, Germany, where the company is also located. Although the flight lasted only about 20 minutes, another six hours were flown during January. Certification is now expected by the end of this year, according to Hans Doll, sales director. FAA approval would follow thereafter.

The company has not yet begun taking orders for the Rolls-Royce 250-B17F-powered single, and the price is still under discussion, said Doll. Last year he estimated the price at about $1.3 million. The company certified the piston G120 in 2001, but delivered only two last year. This year Doll expects the company will build about one-and-a-half G120s per month, but could eventually increase production of both the G120 and G140 to as much as 20 aircraft per year. The company has a fleet order for G120s for an undisclosed number with Israel’s Elbit for primary flight training. Lufthansa Flight Training operates six G120s. Doll said that military flight training is a strong potential market for the G140, as well as the owner-flown market.

Technical specifications of the G140 include mtow of 3,630 pounds, max useful load of 1,210 pounds, max cruise speed of 213 knots, max rate of climb (SL, mtow) of 2,300 fpm, range with seats full (10,000 feet, 30-minute reserve) of 575 nm and range with full tanks of 1,150 nm.