G 520: Strato 1 / Egrett
A great step forward in respect to the development and manufacturing of composite aircraft Grob Aerospace was the obtainment of the EASA/LBA- and FAA certification for the high altitude research aircraft Strato 1 on 22 March 1991 respectively 13 September 1991. The Strato1 is the world's largest fully certified all-composite manned aircraft.
The Strato 1 is designed and perfectly equipped for a wide range of tasks in the field of atmospheric research, electronic earth observation; perform missions for communications monitoring, geophysical research and pollution as well as weather observation.
The Strato 1 proof of concept aircraft (POC) was completed only in 11 months, from first design phase to the first flight - an achievement we are very proud of.
During the following years Grob Aerospace developed the IFR approved Strato 1. This pressurized aircraft is equipped with anti-ice / de-ice system, lightning protection and retractable landing gear.
This aircraft established five world records for altitude, time to climb and flight endurance. In addition, it was the first composite aircraft specifically designed for stratospheric research and reached a record altitude of 60,867 feet (18,552 meters).
Depending on the mission profile the payload is between 300 and 1,000 kg with a range of 4000 km and flight time of 13 hours.