Grob Aerospace added two more Middle East sales yesterday here at the airshow. Sherif Zarkani, president and founder of Egypt’s ZAS Z-Aviation Services, signed for two Grob SPn light business jets with scheduled delivery in 2009. The agreement has options for a further two SPns in 2010. Niall Olver, CEO of Zurich-based ExecuJet Aviation Group, signed the agreement on behalf of ExecuJet, which is the distributor for Grob Aerospace, also headquartered in Switzerland. The deal was arranged by ExecuJet Middle East, the exclusive sales agent and distributor of the SPn in the region.

“We selected the SPn because it is an efficient, flexible and cost-effective aircraft, easy to operate and very suitable for our region and beyond. We will fly the aircraft in a six- and eight-seat layout, designed by Porshe Design Studios,” said Sherif Zarkani.
Grob has orders for six other SPns in the region, four from Prestige Jet and two from Falcon Aviation Services. Both are located in Abu Dhabi.

The twin-turbine SPn, powered by Williams FJ44-3A engines, will be certified for single-pilot operations. It requires a balanced field length of just 3,000 feet (914 meters), allowing it to operate out of airfields traditionally restricted to turboprops or smaller jets. The aircraft is priced at E5.8 million ($8.5 million). Grob expects to obtain EASA certification of the SPn in April next year, with deliveries to follow soon after. FAA certification is planned for the second quarter of 2009.