Grob G850 Strato 2C – a “one-time” record-breaker-loser

Aircraft was developed and created within the framework of the German Space Agency program. The machine was intended for studying the atmosphere at high altitudes, as well as climate. It was also supposed to be launched into series production.


In 1992, it was decided to place an order with the modest company Grob Aerospace, which had experience in creating aircraft using composite materials. In addition, the company had successfully completed a military order – the construction of the Grob Aerospace reconnaissance aircraft.

Design Features of the Strato 2C

The main one is piston engines (there are two of them) with pusher propellers, i.e. turned backwards. The customer presented special requirements for the aircraft. It must ensure flight at an altitude of 24 thousand meters for at least two days.


The developers designed an aircraft whose wings and engines were located above the fuselage, with a T-shaped tail unit at the end. The wings with the tips had a span of 56,5 m. The fuselage was made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which was an expensive "pleasure" at the time.

Power point

It is represented by a pair of Teledyne Continental TSIOL-555 engines (according to other sources, O-550) and a gas generator from a PW127 turboprop engine.


The problem of oxygen deficiency at high altitude was solved by using a compressor. Compressed air allowed maintaining the required power in extreme conditions. Main technical characteristics:

✅ length, height - 23,98 and 7,76 m
✅ take-off weight – up to 13,35 t
✅ engine power – 2x400 hp
✅ speed (cruising) – 685 (500) km/h
✅ range - 18 thousand 100 km
✅ service ceiling – 18 thousand 552 m

The manufacture of the glider forms began in the autumn of 1992, in 1994 it was assembled and engines were installed. The first flight, considered successful, took place on 31.03.1995.

Crew

It included a pair of pilots and the same number of research scientists. Initially, it was assumed that there would be one pilot: the second was added for safety reasons. Comfortable conditions were provided for a long flight: the plane had a rest room, a toilet and a kitchen. In addition to four people, the fuselage accommodated scientific equipment. The cabin was made airtight.

Why the plane did not go into production

It fully met the requirements of the German customer agency and could be used as a scientific aircraft. However, the concept was not suitable for mass production. The design and, in particular, the wings, turned out to be very heavy. And the costs of building the machine greatly exceeded expectations. In addition, the DLR agency, for reasons known only to it, curtailed the stratosphere research program.


In total, the Grob G850 Strato 2C performed 29 flights for various experimental purposes. The last of them took place on July 4.07.1995, 18552. On that day, the machine set a record for the highest altitude achieved by piston-engine aircraft – XNUMX m.


The previous achievement of a manned aircraft dates back to 1938: Italian Mario Piazzi flew to 17083 m. And this was on a Caproni Ca.161 biplane, similar in appearance to our "maize duster"! Incidentally, turbocharging was also used in the aircraft's engine.


In the end, the plane turned out to be of no use to anyone: no one wanted to spend money on its maintenance. However, the thrifty Germans did not abandon the machine or dismantle it. Today, it is located at the company's airport, near the city of Mindelham, which is 90 km from the Bavarian capital of Munich.