G70-600

The Groppo G70 is the side-by-side touring and training model built by Ing. Nando Groppo S.r.l. in Mezzana Bigli, Lombardy. Aeronautical engineer Nando Groppo had been building ultralights in Italy since 1972 and founded the present company in 1993; his first major success was the simple tube-and-fabric Groppino, of which the Aero Club d'Italia records more than 250 examples. The G70 first flew in 2017, and the DULV type approval issued in April 2018 initially covered 472.5 kg only. On 22 November 2019 the DULV granted approval under LTF-UL 2019 for 600 kg MTOM (data sheet 957-18 4) – according to aerokurier the first 600 kg ultralight type approval the DULV accompanied from start to finish. Nando Groppo died in 2022; the company is now run by his son Federico.

The G70-600 is an all-metal aluminium shoulder-wing aircraft with a cruciform tail and fixed tricycle gear. The DULV data sheet quotes a span of 8.92 m over 10.7 m² of wing area, the factory data sheet 8.90 m over 10.68 m²; length is 6.22 m and the cabin measures up to 1,220 mm across. Its signature feature is the folding mechanism: the wings swing back against the fuselage in roughly a minute, saving hangar space and allowing trailer transport. The DULV lists several series depending on engine and propeller – Rotax 912 ULS (data sheets 957-18 3 through 957-18 6, with Helix H50F, three-blade E-Props or a two-blade Kaspar) and Rotax 912 iS (957-18 8 through 957-18 11). Alongside these there is the Rotax 914 turbo version, the G70 Enduro STOL variant and the G70 Kit ARF.

With the Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp), VNE is 220 km/h IAS and maximum continuous level speed 200 km/h IAS; the manufacturer quotes a 190 km/h cruise. Stall with full flaps occurs at 77 km/h IAS. Data sheet 957-18 4 gives 3.6 m/s climb at MTOM (manufacturer figure: 4 m/s), while the series with the two-blade Kaspar propeller (957-18 6) is credited with 5.1 m/s. Groppo quotes 140 m takeoff and 160 m landing distance. The airframe is stressed to +4/-2 g with ultimate loads of +6/-3 g, a Magnum 601 speed softpack rescue system is listed on the data sheet, and the noise level at MTOM is 68.2 dBA. For the 912 iS version Groppo states around five hours endurance and roughly 1,000 km range.

Strengths are the sturdy, repair-friendly aluminium structure, an unusually wide cabin for an ultralight and those folding wings. The data sheet caps empty weight at 385 kg, which guarantees a 215 kg useful load at 600 kg MTOM; what an individual aircraft actually weighs and can carry is in its weighing report. Existing 472.5 kg aircraft can be uprated to 600 kg according to the data sheet. Weaknesses: cruise speed clearly trails the fast carbon ultralights, and the type is far less common in Germany than, say, a C42, so parts and workshop support run through Italy. The G70 is also sold as an ARF kit, making build and maintenance documentation a key inspection item. Verified factory figures for fuel burn, service ceiling and baggage capacity are not published.

The G70-600 suits pilots wanting a solid metal ultralight for touring and training, operating from short strips and valuing trailer transport or compact hangar storage. Current prices and build years of the Groppo listings appear in the market overview on this page and are calculated live from the active inventory. Buyers chasing maximum cruise speed should look at carbon designs; those wanting genuine short-field taildragger performance should consider the Groppo Trail.