News
03/17/08 - Grob Aerospace Making New Friends on American Odyssey
spn mock-up elicits wows from jet and turboprop pilots
The spn mock-up tour has traveled to more than 23 cities in a journey that began this past November, resulting in several sales and generating interest among hundreds of pilots and executives who have visited the world’s first all-composite business jet.
“It’s eye opening for them,” comments Grob Western US Sales Director, Josh Kovac. “They are surprised at the generous cabin size and the capability of the airplane.” Hundreds more will have a chance to tour the mock-up as it continues to more than 30 destinations between now and the NBAA convention in Orlando in October this year.
Kovac, who has been on tour with the mock-up, has received a lot of positive feedback from visitors. “We are seeing a lot of interest from operators of King Air’s, Citation Jets and PC-12s. Turboprop operators tell us this is the first jet that gives them the space, short field capability and operating economics of a turboprop, but with jet speed and more comfort. Light jet pilots tell us they just get more of everything, while retaining excellent economics.”
Kovac notes that the spn has the largest cabin in the light jet class and the highest useful load. It also offers features common on larger jets, but not found on light jets, such as an optional auxiliary power unit (APU). The Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system is also more typical of larger jets and has proven to be an important selling point for pilots.
The spn can operate from runways as short as 3,000 feet and will be able to use grass or unimproved runways, meaning it can land just about anywhere general aviation aircraft fly.
Taking off from small general aviation airports, the spn will traverse more than half the continental United States. Range is 1,800 nm while carrying six passengers and one crew (the spn will be single-pilot certified). Passengers will enjoy six- or eight-person individual seating configurations with either configuration including a private lavatory. Porsche Design Studio designed the interiors, striving for clean lines and superior ergonomics for both passengers and pilots.
The spn is now undergoing intensive flight testing in Granada, Spain, with certification anticipated before year end.
The mock up tour has made its way up the California coast, and is currently heading inland for the Rockies, Plains States, Mid-West, Northeast, Eastern Canada, Oshkosh, Western Canada, Pacific Northwest, and NBAA. The objective is to make the aircraft and its manufacturer better known to U.S. pilots and traveling executives.
Upcoming tour locations are listed below and those wishing to view the mockup are encouraged to call Amy Abbott at Grob at 1-603-766-6068, amy.abbott@grob-aerospace.ch or visit the mock-up-tour section of our website.