PlaneFox tracks 2 Grob G 103 Twin Astir aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Grob G 103 Twin Astir costs about EUR 500 a month to run, or about EUR 40 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Grob G 103 Twin Astir is a two seat, fiberglass sailplane built by Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau in Germany. It first flew in the mid 1970s and entered production in 1976, with the type serving as Grob’s early composite tandem trainer and club cross country glider. It is not a powered aircraft and should not be compared with touring motor gliders. Its significance is practical: the Grob G 103 Twin Astir helped establish glass reinforced plastic construction as a durable, low maintenance standard for training fleets, while offering enough performance for early cross country work and badge flying.
Typical published figures for the Grob G 103 Twin Astir include a 17.5 m wingspan and a maximum glide ratio of about 38:1, achieved at roughly 57 knots in still air. Inter thermal cruising speed depends on soaring conditions, loading and pilot technique, so a fixed cruise speed is not directly comparable with powered aircraft. Range is also condition dependent, as the aircraft has no engine and no still air powered range. Maximum takeoff weight is commonly listed around 1,280 lb, with useful load varying by equipment fit, instruments and repairs. Ceiling is not normally specified in the same way as a powered airplane, since attainable altitude depends on lift, airspace, oxygen equipment and local operating rules. Powerplant: none.
The Grob G 103 Twin Astir has tandem seating, dual controls and a long canopy that gives both occupants good visibility for training, thermalling and landing instruction. The cockpit is functional rather than spacious, with typical sailplane ergonomics, a central control stick, rudder pedals, airbrake control and basic engine free systems. Avionics are normally simple and vary widely by aircraft. Common equipment includes an airspeed indicator, altimeter, variometer, compass, VHF radio and often a modern electronic variometer, GPS flight computer or FLARM compatible traffic device. Integrated suites such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective are not typical for this model.
On the used market, the Grob G 103 Twin Astir is usually positioned as a club trainer, shared ownership glider or economical two seat cross country platform. Buyers should review complete airframe logbooks, total launches, repair history, canopy condition, control system rigging, airbrake operation, tow hook service status, tire and brake condition, and the state of the trailer. Composite condition is central: inspect gelcoat cracking, UV exposure, moisture issues, previous damage repairs and compliance with applicable maintenance instructions. Typical upgrades include modern variometers, radios, GPS navigation, collision awareness equipment and refreshed upholstery. Buyers should distinguish the original Grob G 103 Twin Astir from later G 103 Twin II and Twin III variants, which have different details and market values.