The Ecuadorian Air Force confirmed that it acquires eight aircraft of the Grob G 120 TP model for the training of its pilots. In a brief announcement on its social networks, the FAE informed that it will incorporate eight aircraft of the German manufacturing model Grob G 120TP to its fleet for the training of its new and current pilots from different branches such as transport and combat. Without confirmation of the estimated date of arrival in the country, the approximate amount of the acquisition, as of the year of manufacture, these aircraft would join the current 10 Canadian Diamond DA-20C1 initial training aircraft that were incorporated in 2012.
The Grob G 120 is a two-seated training and aerobatic low-wing aircraft with a carbon composite airframe, built by Grob Aircraft. It is based on the Grob G 115TA training aircraft and is specially designed for military and civil pilots training. It is also used in some versions as a stunt plane. The aircraft is currently in service for the armed forces of Argentina, Canada, Germany (main operator), France, Israel and Mexico. The G 120 TP is the turboprop-powered version with a Rolls Royce 250-B17F aircraft engine producing 456 shp (340 kW) for take-off.
Grob Aircraft’s new G 120TP Training Concept, based upon the versatile G 120TP basic training aircraft, addresses the latest trends and strategic shifts in modern military flight training; reduced demand for fast jet pilots, increased demand for transport/helicopter/UAS pilots, an increase on mission complexity – and in the same time pressures from reduced military budgets. The G 120TP training system starts with the Primary and Basic Flight Training phase incorporating ab initio flight training and screening on a ‘simplified’ G 120TP with Flex Power facilitating engine handling and limiting power envelope for beginner pilots. The side-by-side cockpit arrangement supports high efficiency training, specifically in early training stages.
