G70-600 Turbo

The Groppo G70-600 Turbo is the most powerful version of the G70 built by Ing. Nando Groppo S.r.l. in Mezzana Bigli, Lombardy. The DULV lists it as its own series, '600 / 914 UL / Kaspar three-blade constant-speed propeller', under data sheet 957-18 7, first issued 10 May 2022. Airframe, dimensions and masses are identical to the Rotax 912 G70-600 – the differences are engine, propeller and performance. The base G70 first flew in 2017; the DULV granted 600 kg type approval under LTF-UL 2019 on 22 November 2019 (data sheet 957-18 4).

The turbo version is an all-metal aluminium shoulder-wing aircraft with cruciform tail and fixed tricycle gear: 8.92 m span per the data sheet (8.90 m per the manufacturer), 10.7 m² wing area, 6.22 m length, 2.32 m height. Power comes from the turbocharged Rotax 914 UL rated at 84.5 kW (115 hp) with two constant-depression carburettors and a 2.43:1 gearbox, driving an in-flight adjustable Kaspar three-blade composite propeller of 1.72 m diameter. Fuel is carried in two 50-litre wing tanks. As on every G70, the wings fold against the fuselage for compact hangar storage or trailer transport.

The extra power shows up mainly in climb: the data sheet quotes 5.1 m/s at MTOM (manufacturer figure 6 m/s) against 3.6 m/s for the 912 ULS series with fixed Helix or E-Props propellers (957-18 3 to 957-18 5); the 912 ULS series with the two-blade Kaspar (957-18 6) is also credited with 5.1 m/s. Best rate of climb speed is 115 km/h IAS, with 120 m takeoff and 160 m landing distance quoted by the manufacturer. VNE is 220 km/h IAS and maximum continuous level speed 200 km/h IAS – Groppo quotes a 200 km/h cruise. Stall with full flaps is 77 km/h IAS, manoeuvring speed 150 km/h IAS and maximum flap speed 120 km/h IAS. Noise at MTOM is 66.5 dBA, and a Magnum 601 speed softpack rescue system is listed.

Strengths: strong climb and short takeoff runs, useful margins on hot days and high-elevation strips, turbocharged power that holds up with altitude, plus the same rugged metal structure and wide cabin as the base model. Weaknesses: the Rotax 914 costs more to buy, maintain and operate than a 912 ULS and demands more careful power management. Groppo publishes no range or endurance figures for the 914, and there are no verified fuel-burn or service-ceiling numbers. The constant-speed propeller adds maintenance items. Data sheet 957-18 7 lists a header tank on the firewall as an option but gives no volume – the factory data sheet shows 100 l + 5 l.

The G70-600 Turbo makes sense for pilots regularly operating high, hot, or off short strips, flying at full load, or working in the Alps. Anyone flying mostly lowland routes on a tighter budget gets the better value package with the Rotax 912 ULS version. 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.