Grob G 160 Ranger
Grob · Germany · first flew 2007 · light aircraft
A single-engined pressurised composite turboprop that Grob unveiled in the mid-2000s as a fast, economical seven-seat business and utility aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single nose-mounted turboprop with large three-blade propeller
- All-composite pressurised cabin seating up to seven
- Clean low-wing planform with tapered outer panels
Look for a slim pressurised low-wing single with a single nose turboprop and a conventional tail — smaller and cleaner than the boxier PC-12, and without that aircraft's rear cargo door.
Specifications
- The Grob G 160 Ranger has a length of 10 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.5 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 500 km/h (311 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Grob developed the Ranger from its long line of glass-fibre light aircraft, aiming to offer PC-12-style single-turboprop capability at lower cost. The prototype flew around 2007 and completed spin certification testing, but Grob's financial troubles at the end of the decade stalled the programme before it reached production.
Variants
Only the baseline G 160 was built and flown as a prototype; no distinct production sub-variants entered service. The design shared its all-composite construction philosophy with Grob's contemporary G 180 SPn business jet.
Where you'll see it
The Ranger never entered airline or military service and saw no UK operations, remaining a manufacturer demonstrator. Grob's composite trainers, however, are familiar in Britain through the Tutor used by RAF elementary and university air squadrons.
Related aircraft
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