The Kenya Air Force (KAF) is operating Grob G120TP turboprop trainers to boost its training capability following its earlier acquisition of G120A-K piston engine trainer aircraft.
KAF received the latest batch of three G120TP aircraft from the Grob factory in Germany and arrived in the country on Aug 19. Two G120TP turboprop aircraft were previously seen in service with the Kenya Air Force’s Training Squadron at Laikipia Air Base in May this year.
According to Grob, the KAF is now operating nine new G120TPs in addition to its earlier acquisition.
The KAF in November and December 2013 received six of the G120A-K piston engine models, becoming the first African air force to operate the type. The pilots took their training in Mattsies, Germany. Kenya’s G120A-K aircraft were acquired to replace its ageing fleet of ten Scottish Aviation Bulldogs.
A Brief Look at G120A-K
- The trainer aircraft is powered by a six-cylinder Lycoming piston engine providing 260 hp.
- The largely all-composite airframe has a service life of 15 000 hours and is certified for +6/-4 gs, allowing for aerobatic training.
- Has modern glass cockpit features with three Elbit 205 x 150 mm multi-function displays.
- Has a digital standby flight display and a digital engine display.
- According to Grob, G120 trainer has one of the lowest maintenance costs in the industry.
A Brief Look at G120TP
- The trainer aircraft, G120TP is powered by the Rolls-Royce M250-B17F turbine engine.
- The turbine engine can be limited to 312 shp for ab initio training, although it is rated at 380 shp for maximum cruise (380 km/h).
- The student pilot can be seated either in the left hand or right- hand ejection seat.
- Both seats have individual throttle levers.
The Ethiopian Air Force became the second in Africa to operate the G120, acquiring 12 turboprop models from 2019. Other countries training with G120 include; Canadian, German, French and Israeli air forces.
The turboprop G120TP, has some years been used to train the air forces of Argentina, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar and Jordan.
