Israel Defence Force name: Snunit (cyclone)
TYPE: Aerobatic two-seat lightplane.
PROGRAMME: First flight (D-ELHU; unannounced) 1999; development of G 115 series to meet modern airline pilot and military training requirements, having advanced features including EFIS. With retractable landing gear and 194 kW (260 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-540 flat-six engine.
Announced January 2001, when Lufthansa ordered three (plus four options, of which three taken up in June 2001) for its US Airline Training Center Arizona (ATCA) operation at Goodyear, near Phoenix. German LBA provisional certification achieved 22 November 2001, followed by FAA FAR Pt 23 approval on 29 January 2002 and full LBA certification on 27 February 2002. Deliveries began (with N861AF) in February 2002.
CURRENT VERSIONS: G 120A: Baseline version; aerobatic MTOW 1,350 kg (2,976 lb).
G 120A-I Snunit: Israel Defence Force version. Certified by LBA on 27 September 2002 and by Israeli CAA on 14 October 2002. As described.
G 120A Observer: Long-range/endurance version; usable fuel capacity 378 litres (99.8 US gallons; 83.2 Imp gallons).
CUSTOMERS: Lufthansa, seven. On 19 February 2002, Cyclone Aviation, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, contracted by Israel Defence Force/Air Force to supply pilot screening and primary training services over 10 years with company-owned and -operated fleet of 27 G 120A-Is; first three handed over at Hatzerim AFB on 27 October 2002; 22 delivered by mid-2003.
Description for G 120A generally as for G 115, except that below:
DESIGN FEATURES: Aerofoil Eppler E884; dihedral 2°; incidence 0°. Tailplane aerofoil NACA 64-010; fin 64-009. Airframe life 15,000 hours.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Pushrod actuation for all primary surfaces. Slotted flaps electrically actuated; max deflection 60°. Servo tab and mass balance on each aileron; elevator trim tab starboard side with electric and manual actuation; rudder and elevator have mass balances, plus horn balance on rudder.
STRUCTURE: Semi-monocoque fuselage comprises a self-supporting carbon fibre-reinforced plastic shell with frame and web members. Cantilever wing of single-trapezoidal cross-section has an I-beam main spar with caps of carbon fibre rovings. Wing shell of honeycomb sandwich, except tank section of PVC foam sandwich. Interconnection of wings is via the spar stubs, bolted together with two large bolts which connect the stub spars. Each wing is attached to the fuselage by three bolts. The main spar and strong webs hold mountings for the main gear leg. An auxiliary spar closes the wing trailing-edge and carries the flaps and ailerons.
Flaps with upper and lower CRP skins in rigid PVC foam core. Aileron structure same as flaps. Fin, integrated with fuselage, comprises main and end spar of honeycomb sandwich design and a carbon-reinforced full laminate shell. Structural configuration of tailplane as for wings. Tailplane attached to the fuselage by four fittings. Both elevators have top and bottom CRP shells; structure as for ailerons. Airframe is protected from moisture and ultra-violet radiation by UP gel-coat. A white filler on the outer surface of the aircraft conducts electricity, being part of lightning protection system. White two-component polyurethane lacquer covers the filler and completes the finish.
LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; retractable. Mainwheels 6.00-6; nosewheel 5.00-5. Nosewheel steerable ±10°.
POWER PLANT: One 194 kW (260 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5 flat-six, driving a Hartzell HC-C3YR-1RF/F7663R three-blade, constant-speed propeller. Fuel capacity 262 litres (69.2 US gallons; 57.6 Imp gallons), of which 256 litres (67.6 US gallons; 56.3 Imp gallons) are usable. Max oil capacity 11.4 litres (3.0 US gallons; 2.5 Imp gallons).
SYSTEMS: Grob 120A-5700 landing gear hydraulic system, pressure 103 bar (1,500 lb/sq in); Grob ECS 115TA-7301 air conditioning system. Electrical system 28 V DC with 80 A alternator and Concorde RG-24-20 24 V 19 Ah battery. External power socket, port side, to rear of cockpit.
AVIONICS: Comms: Bendix/King KMA 24H-70 audio control/intercom, KY 196A VHF, KT 76C transponder.
Flight: Bendix/King KX 165A nav/com/glideslope, KN 62 DME, KLN. 94 GPS, KCS 55 A compass, KR 87 ADF with KI 227 indicator.