Looking for info about operating and maintaining a Zlin 526. Anyone got one for sale or imported one ?

See the next issue of Flyer for flight test

Ian

Javelin.. .Three owners come to mind and all could be contacted through West London Aero Club. (01628 823272.). .1.James Black of Avia Special.. .2.Maxi Gainza.. .3.Pete Colman.. . . .Good aeroplane - certainly different. A few weaknesses but, known about, should cause no problem. . .Good luck. ( BTW, if you need a Check/Ferry Pilot, call me.)

There is a very unloved and dusty Zlin 526F sitting in the hanger at Little Gransden. This model has an Avia fuel injected engine - very nice to fly!

I'm sure if you make the owner an offer he cant refuse, he would gladly let you take it away and give it some affection. Shame, cos when I last saw it, it was in perfect condition. Other than that, they are few and far between in the UK, and their lucky owners tend to keep them for a long time. Sadly the UK Zlin guru, Geoff Masterton, is no longer with us, so not sure who is the expert engineer now. They have a few quirks, but handling wise, they are a delight to fly, bloody noisy inside and out, and very difficult to aerobat tidily! In fact, it actually takes a bit of skill to fly good aeros in a Zlin, unlike the point and go rich man's toys like the CAP's and the Sukhoi's of today..

and as sleeve said, if you need a ferry pilot.........

One of the nicest light aeroplanes I've flown. Excellent visibility, good control harmony (if rather heavy), simple CS prop - and a lovely engine note! Aerobats 'elegantly' rather than Pitts-flickingly!!

I imported one a few years back but without export C of A. Minefield. Not to be recommended. Never did get it flying, it was with Geoff Masterton until he died then I sold it on. . .Definitely the nicest aircraft I have flown, I've got a copy of the pilot's notes somewhere.. .As to UK owners, try <a href="http://www.srg.caa.co.uk/aircraftregister/ginfo_dbsearch.asp" target="_blank">www.srg.caa.co.uk/aircraftregister/ginfo_dbsearch.asp</a> where you will find all the details of all the aircraft on the UK register. Good eh?. .Looking forwards to the next Flyer, Ian :)

[ 05 February 2002: Message edited by: DB6 ]</p>

Thanks for the info guys, Im getting interested !

526.. .You mentioned the unfortunate loss of Geoff Masterton whose expertise, especially with setting up the prop, is sadly missed.. .Since then though, one who comes to mind with increasing skills on the aeroplane is Pete Shaw at WLAC Engineering.. .Significantly,a Zlin 326 rebuild is rapidly progressing locally as well.. .Hope this also helps, Javelin.. .Sleeve.

All info helps

526. .Do not be misled into thinking Sukhois and Caps are any easier to fly accurately - its just a different set of problems you have to contend with! But I suspect you know this already <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

The AerosCo,

Different design features such as symmetrical wings, big engines, larger rudders etc surely make the Sukhois and Caps easier to fly for some figures?? My point was that some people, not necessarily good pilots, but with 'a good job in the city' and a large wad of cash can go out, buy a CAP232 or SU31 and fly a pretty faultless sequence with a very small amount of practice. I think they miss the hard graft of trying to make an aeroplane such as the Zlin fly the perfect loop, or roll etc. . .OK, there are pilots in the UK flying these aircraft very well, such as yourself, Brian Lecomber, Tom Cassells etc, and most of them have worked their way up the ladder from the bottom flying Stampes, Pitts' and the like. But not straight in at advanced and unlimited levels and then World Championships after a few months. . .That was my point. . .How many Formula 1 drivers do you see having their first drive in the Williams car?? Most of them started in Karts... . <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Zlin526. .I understand you argument and it is certainly true that with a more advanced aeroplane newcomers are able to make a good stab at a sequence with less practice. However, I disagree that it will be pretty much faultless (and here I am mainly referring to competition flying) - you still need to have all the same knowledge about how to make a loop round, for instance, and how to position the aeroplane (for the judges); indeed, positioning the aeroplane can be a big problem in these faster types for the inexperienced pilot. Take a look at BAeA competition results - the placings are by no means dominated by pilots flying the advanced monoplanes.. .Furthermore, it is simply not the case that you can walk into advanced and unlimited if you have the right aeroplane. Because these sequences are so much more demanding , the performance of the aeroplane is being tested as much at these levels as for a 526 at standard or intermediate. So you really do need to have to have mastered the basic skills to deal with this. I agree entirely that the best way to do this is by starting off flying a lower performance aeroplane such as those you mention.