Grob Prefect

Grob Prefect
Name	Grob Prefect
Type	Primary trainer
Manufacturer	Grob Aircraft
First flight	2011
Introduced	2016
Status	In service
Primary user	Royal Air Force
Number built	23
Developed from	Grob G 115

Grob Prefect. The Grob Prefect, designated as the G 115E, is a modern, tandem-seat, single-engine primary training aircraft developed and manufactured by the German aerospace company Grob Aircraft. It was selected by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence as the new elementary flying trainer for the Royal Air Force's Military Flying Training System, replacing the long-serving Scottish Aviation Bulldog. The aircraft is a militarized and enhanced variant of the Grob G 115 series, designed to provide ab initio training for future pilots of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Army Air Corps.

Design and development

The development of the Prefect was initiated following the MFTS program's requirement for a new elementary training platform. Grob Aircraft, based in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, leveraged its extensive experience with the G 115 series of aerobatic aircraft. Key design goals included enhanced safety features, modern avionics, and the durability required for intensive military training operations. The airframe incorporates a carbon fiber reinforced polymer construction, providing high strength and corrosion resistance. The cockpit was redesigned with a modern glass cockpit featuring large multi-function displays from Garmin, replicating the advanced systems found in front-line aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon. The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A engine, chosen for its reliability and performance.

Operational history

The Prefect entered service with the Royal Air Force in 2016, operated by 2 Flying Training School at RAF Syerston and later at RAF Cranwell. Its primary role is to conduct the elementary flying phase of training for student pilots from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Army Air Corps. The fleet is maintained and supported under a private finance initiative contract with Ascent Flight Training, a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Babcock International. The aircraft has proven capable in teaching core flying skills, including general handling, instrument flying, and basic aerobatics, preparing students for advanced training on the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II. The introduction of the Prefect marked a significant technological leap from the analog Scottish Aviation Bulldog and has been integrated into a broader synthetic training system.

Variants

* G 115E Prefect: The standard production variant for the UK Military Flying Training System, featuring a Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A engine and Garmin G500 avionics suite. All aircraft delivered to the Royal Air Force are of this model. * Grob G 115EG: A proposed variant with a different engine or avionics fit, though not procured. The Prefect itself is a direct development of earlier civilian models like the Grob G 115C and Grob G 115D.

Specifications (G 115E Prefect)

Operators

* **Royal Air Force – Operated by 2 Flying Training School under the UK Military Flying Training System. The fleet is used for training personnel from the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm, and Army Air Corps.

Aircraft on display

As a relatively new aircraft in active service, no Prefects are currently held in static museum displays. The operational fleet is based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Historical training aircraft previously used by the Royal Air Force, such as the de Havilland Tiger Moth and Scottish Aviation Bulldog, can be seen at museums like the Royal Air Force Museum London and the RAF Museum Cosford.

Category:German military trainer aircraft 2010–2019 Category:Grob aircraft Category:Twin-tail aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 2011