19/05/2026
Remembering Martin Hinterwaldner
Writing this is not easy.
Last Saturday, Martin Hinterwaldner lost his life in an accident near Mannheim, together with his co-pilot. Two aviators who shared the sky, and left it together.
Martin had a connection with Grob Aircraft and especially with the G 520 program. The G 520 was built to go where almost nothing else can - at the edge of the stratosphere, where the sky thins out and turns dark blue. Martin knew that aircraft. He was part of the team that pushed it, understood it, believed in it.
But today, we remember more than a pilot connected to an aircraft.
Martin was a test pilot, flight test instructor and engineer. Those who worked with him knew his technical excellence. Those who flew with him knew something just as important: his calm presence, his patience, his warmth and his deeply human way of sharing knowledge.
His LinkedIn profile carried a simple line: “The sky is my limit.”
For Martin, this was a way of looking at aviation - with curiosity, discipline and joy.
Only a few weeks ago, Martin was portrayed in an interview for Bundeswehr - in it, he spoke about his years as a polar expedition pilot, and about moments in Antarctica when he would lie down in the snow, close his eyes, and hear nothing but his own heartbeat... It is a quiet detail. But it says a lot about a man who spent his life in demanding environments, and never lost his ability to reflect, to listen and to remain human.
The photos shared here show Martin also with Tom Reinert during G 520 familiarisation, a moment from a program, an aircraft and a professional life that will remain part of GROB’s story.
We are grateful for every flight, every collaboration and every conversation in which Martin brought his expertise, his care and his spirit to our work.
Our deepest condolences go to Martin’s family, friends and colleagues, and to the family, friends and colleagues of his co-pilot.
Rest in peace, Martin.
The sky was not your limit. It was your element.
