Mexico selects Grob trainer

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) has selected the Grob Aircraft G120TP twin-seat turboprop as its new elementary trainer.
A deal worth USD110 million for 25 G120TPs, along with a flight simulator and logistics support plus options on a further 15, was first reported by local media on 21 July.
The contract has yet to be signed, but is imminent. The FAM expects that an initial batch of G120TP is to be delivered by February 2015, when the service celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The selection is part of a major overhaul of Mexico's Military Education System contained in the 2013-18 National Defense Programme, which also includes the T-6C Texan II advanced trainer and emphasises on the use of flight simulators.
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Nine Companies to Compete for Turkish Basic Trainers

Nine local and foreign companies have purchased competition dossiers from Turkey’s procurement agency, indicating their intention to bid on providing new basic trainer aircraft.
Likely bidders in the race are: GATE Elektronik San. ve Tic. A.S., Nurol Makin eve Sayani A.S., THK Uçak Imalat San.ve Tic. A.S. and Kocoglu Havacilik A.S.; Austria’s Diamond Aircraft Industries; Czech Republic’s ZLIN Aircraft; Germany’s Grob Aircraft; Pakistan’s Aeronautical Complex Board; and the US Discovery Aviation.
Last month, was opened new competition for the acquisition of 52 new basic trainer aircraft.
The planned screeners will replace an aging fleet of SF 260 primary trainers assembled in the early 1990s under Italian license by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Recently, an indigenous basic trainer aircraft that Turkey designed and developed won an initial flight certificate from local authorities. Immediately after that, on Sept. 26, Turkey’s top body that oversees procurement decisions, the Defense Industry Executive Committee, approved serial production of the Hurkus, also developed by TAI.
Military officials say that by 2017 the Turkish trainer fleet will comprise the screeners Ankara intends to buy, KT-1 trainers supplied by Korean Aerospace Industries under a 2007 contract, the Hurkus, the upgraded T-38s (T-38Ts) and the F-16s. By 2025, the fleet will have the screeners, the Hurkus, an indigenous trainer to be designed and developed for the fighter jet Turkey intends to build, the TF-X and a combination of the F-16s, TF-Xs and the F-35s.
defensenews

Turkey launches new bid for light trainer aircraft

Turkey has issued a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the contract that foresees the off-the-shelf purchase of a small fleet of trainers to replace the fleet of ageing SF 260s used in the Turkish Air Force for preliminary training.
Turkey still operates with nearly 40 SF 260s assembled by TAI in the early 1990s. For preliminary training purposes the Air Force operates Cessna 172s.
Potential bidders are the U.S. Beechcraft and Cirrus, Austria’s Diamond, Germany’s Grobe, Czech Zlin and Italy’s Aermacchi.
Meanwhile, Turkey has silently phased out a fleet of 48 F-5 lead-in trainer aircrafts, which Israel’s Elbit upgraded and delivered in the early 2000s.TAI is upgrading nearly 60 T-38 basic trainers to replace the F-5s and the older T-38s.
The Defense Industry Executive Committee, the ultimate decision-maker in defense procurement, decided Sept. 26 to make an order for the serial production of the Hürkuş, Turkey’s first indigenous basic trainer aircraft.
Turkey’s first indigenous basic trainer aircraft has been approved for flight testing, with the maiden flight planned within the next year.
The Hürkuş, also developed by TAI, has been undergoing tests for runway-holding, steering and braking time limits.
TAI is manufacturing four prototypes of the Hürkuş for a round of tests. The first prototype successfully went through engine tests in February, the second is being tested for static durability and cabin pressure, the third is being assembled, and the fourth will be tested for metal fatigue.
The two-seat Hürkuş will have a 35-year service life, or 10,500 flight hours. The turboprop aircraft has a 1,600-horsepower engine that can fly at an altitude of 10,577 meters at a maximum speed of 574 kilometers per hour.
The Hürkuş will come in four variants:
Hürkuş-A: A basic version that has been certified with EASA, according to CS-23 requirements and is intended for the civilian market.
Hürkuş-B: An advanced version with integrated avionics, including a mission computer and cockpit avionics layout similar to F-16 and F-35 fighters. The Turkish Army is considering an initial order of 15 aircrafts.
Hürkuş-C: An armed version for close-air support, which will have a maximum weapons load of 3,300 pounds. The Turkish Army has expressed interest in the Hürkuş-C to provide support for its attack helicopters.
The Coast Guard version: TAI plans to offer another version of the Hürkuş to support the Turkish Coast Guard’s maritime patrol activities. The aircraft’s back seat would be occupied by an operator for a forward-looking infrared sensor.
hurriyetdailynews

Indonesian Air Force takes delivery of four Grob G 120TPs

Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that the recent attention given to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) would result in a first class air force.
“The air force base in Makassar [South Sulawesi] will receive six new Sukhoi jet fighters soon,” Minister Purnomo said during the hand-over ceremony for four training aircraft at the 101st Training Squadron (Skadik) hangar, Adisutjipto Air Force Base (AFB), on Friday.
The four German-made Grob G120TP-A are part of an order of 16 airplanes — worth some US$72 million — to be delivered in stages until 2014.
thejakartapost

RAF Grob Tutor grounded since January

The RAF has had to ground an entire fleet of training aircraft following two incidents when propellers came off in mid-flight, meaning they have been unable to teach new pilots for almost five months.
Defence sources have described the grounding of the Grob 115E Tutor aircraft, which are maintained by defence contractor Babcock, as a 'complete fiasco'.
The aircraft have not flown since January 9th following an incident at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire when a plane's propeller broke off in flight forcing an emergency landing.

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