Grob Strato 2C

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title: "Grob Strato 2C" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1990s-german-experimental-aircraft", "grob-aircraft", "twin-engined-pusher-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1995", "high-wing-aircraft"] description: "German experimental high altitude research aircraft" topic_path: "geography/germany" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grob_Strato_2C" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary German experimental high altitude research aircraft ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

Field	Value
name	Strato 2C
image	Grob Strato 2.jpg
caption	Grob G 850 Strato 2C based in Mindelheim-Mattsies
aircraft_type	High Altitude Research Aircraft
manufacturer	Grob Aircraft
status	Prototype only
number_built	1
first_flight	31 March 1995
::

| name = Strato 2C | logo = | logo_size = | image = Grob Strato 2.jpg | alt = | caption = Grob G 850 Strato 2C based in Mindelheim-Mattsies | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = High Altitude Research Aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = | manufacturer = Grob Aircraft | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Prototype only | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 1 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 31 March 1995 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = The Grob Strato 2C was a German experimental high altitude research aircraft. Powered by two turbocharged piston engines and featuring an extremely long span wing of composite construction, one aircraft was built in the 1990s, but was abandoned despite setting a world altitude record for piston-engined aircraft on its last flight.

Development and design

In April 1992, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V - DLR) commenced a programme to develop an aircraft to carry out atmospheric, stratospheric and climatic research. It chose Grob Aerospace to design and build an aircraft to meet these requirements, based both on its experience in use of composite material in aircraft structures together with its successful development of the Egrett surveillance aircraft, with the aircraft expected to be operational by 1996.

In order to meet the requirement to operate at an altitude of 24,000 m (78,700 ft) for 48 hours, Grob designed a twin-engined aircraft with a straight, very high aspect ratio wing of 56.5 m (185 ft 4½ in) span. The wings featured winglets, and were mounted across the top of the fuselage which terminated in a T-tail configuration. The aircraft was designed to be crewed by two pilots, and could accommodate two scientists and associated mission equipment in a pressurised cabin. A galley, rest facilities and a toilet were provided.

Unlike the Egrett, which was powered by a single turboprop engine, the Strato was powered by two wing-mounted pusher compound engines consisting of a turbocharged piston engine with the Gas Generator from a PW127 turboprop engine to provide a constant supply of pressurised air to the piston engine at high altitude. This had the advantage of maintaining power at high altitudes. Each engine drove a 6 m (19 ft 8 in) diameter five-bladed propeller.

Construction of the airframe moulds started mid-November 1992, with airframe construction beginning in April the following year, starting with the tailplane. The airframe was completed in 1994 and engine installation commenced.

Operational history

The prototype first flew on 31 March 1995. Costs overran, however, and the prototype, which was intended as a Proof of Concept aircraft with off the shelf equipment and a heavier wing structure than planned for the production aircraft, was late and did not deliver the expected performance. Despite setting a world altitude record for a crewed piston-engined aircraft of 18,552 m (60,897 ft) on 4 August 1995, on its 29th and what turned out to be final flight, the programme was cancelled by the DLR in 1996.

Specifications (Strato 2C)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Strato_2C.jpg"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Grob_G_850_Strato_2C_D-CDLR_in_2012.jpg"] ::

|ref=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 |prime units?=met General characteristics

|crew=4 |length m=23.98 |length note= |span m=56.5 |span note= |height m=7.76 |height note= |wing area sqm=150 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil=DLR LH34 |empty weight kg=6650 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=13350 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=Teledyne Continental TSIOL-550 |eng1 type= |eng1 kw=300 |eng1 note=

|eng2 number=2 |eng2 name=Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127 |eng2 type=gas generator |eng2 kw= |eng2 note=

|prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia note= Performance

|max speed kmh= |max speed note= |max speed mach=0.56 |cruise speed kmh=500 |cruise speed note=at 24000 m |stall speed kmh= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed note= |range km=18100 |range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |climb rate ms= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |power/mass= |more performance=

• Take-off run: m
• Take-off distance to 15 m: m
• Landing run: m
• Landing distance from 15 m: m-- |avionics=

References

• Estimated performance.

Bibliography

• Bents David J., Mockler, Ted, Maldonado, Jaime, Harp, James L.Jr., King, Joseph F. and Schmitz. Paul C. Propulsion System for Very High Altitude Subsonic Unmanned Aircraft . NASA/TM—1998-206636. Cleveland, Ohio: NASA Lewis Research Centre, April 1998
• Galleithner, Hans. "High Altitude Research Aircraft as Further Examples of the Application of the Fibre Composite Technology". *Aeronautical Research in Germany: From Lilienthal Until Today *. Ernst-Heinrich Hirschel, Horst Prem, Gero Madelung. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2004. .
• Jeziorski, Andrzej. "Strato 2C takes flight but funds stay low". Flight International. 12–18 April 1995.
• Jeziorski, Andrzej. "High and Dry". Flight International. 31 January - 6 February 1996. pp. 66–67.
• Jeziorski, Andrzej. "DLR cancels Strato 2C contract". Flight International. 10–16 July 1996, p. 4.
• Taylor, M.J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory: 1995/1997 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1996. .
• Taylor, M.J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory: 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1999. .

References

1. Taylor, 1996, p.173.
2. Jeziorski ''Flight International'' 31 January - 6 February 1996, p.66.
3. Galleithner 2004, p.552.
4. Bents et al. 1998, p.4.
5. Jeziorski ''Flight International'' 12–18 April 1995, p.16.
6. Taylor, 1999, p.152.
7. Jeziorski, ''Flight International'' 31 January - 6 February 1996, p.67.
8. Taylor, 1999, p.151.
9. Jeziorski, ''Flight International'' 10–16 July 1996, p.4.
10. Taylor, 1999, pp.151-152.
11. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage".

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