ZLIN 242 versus R2160a ab initio and basic aerobatic trainer
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ZLIN 242 versus R2160a ab initio and basic aerobatic trainer
Anybody out there that has experience on either the ZLIN 242 and/or the R2160a now manufactured in New Zealand by Alpha Aviation?. We need a type certified aircraft to do ab initio as well as basic aerobatic training at 500 ft amsl. The ZLIN is about $40 000 more expensive and with 200hp vs 160hp(Alpha) therefore burns more fuel. We,d appreciate any feedback.
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I think there's a zero missing somewhere (I hope so, anyway!)
The 2160 is a good aircraft for the AOPA course and flying up to Standard level competition in the UK. It's also a pleasant aircraft to fly for other purposes, such as ab initio training and Club flying, so might earn its keep. Not flown the Zlin.
Parts are harder to come by now in the UK for the 2160, but I've known a rudder for instance to be sourced from NZ, so not impossible.
TOO
The 2160 is a good aircraft for the AOPA course and flying up to Standard level competition in the UK. It's also a pleasant aircraft to fly for other purposes, such as ab initio training and Club flying, so might earn its keep. Not flown the Zlin.
Parts are harder to come by now in the UK for the 2160, but I've known a rudder for instance to be sourced from NZ, so not impossible.
TOO
I found the R2160 great fun to fly
I have just finished three training flights in an R2160 to expand my glider aerobatic rating to cover SEP as well. I shared a video of my third flight in Private Pilot > Videos.
The Robin was a lot of fun to fly. It is easily the most responsive airplane I have ever flown. I'm looking forward to flying it more. After doing aerobatics in gliders and in the bubble canopy Robin, I just cannot imagine doing so in a Citabria or Decathalon...
That's where the airplane is now made, so no surprise there.
Personally, I'd give the Zlin a spin (pun intended) so I could add to my experience and make the "what I've flown" list one item longer.
The Robin was a lot of fun to fly. It is easily the most responsive airplane I have ever flown. I'm looking forward to flying it more. After doing aerobatics in gliders and in the bubble canopy Robin, I just cannot imagine doing so in a Citabria or Decathalon...
sourced from NZ
Personally, I'd give the Zlin a spin (pun intended) so I could add to my experience and make the "what I've flown" list one item longer.
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Thanks guys. Aerobatics at 500 ft 
...maybe a few ground loops. Meant to say that our airfield elevation is 500ft. Still hoping to hear from someone that's flown the Zlin.
...maybe a few ground loops. Meant to say that our airfield elevation is 500ft. Still hoping to hear from someone that's flown the Zlin.
I've only done a few hours in both types (I've been operating Decathlons for many years for tailwheel and aerobatic training.)
A small number of Zlins were imported in to Australia many years ago. The last one operated by a flying school ceased when fatigue life prevented any further aerobatics until some costly work was done. As far as I know there is still one operated privately here but that fatigue life is an issue for it. Others here should know more about the fatigue issues.
Robins/Alphas are fairly popular in Australia for that role - ab initio / basic aerobatics. Four different schools and about half a dozen aeroplanes and all operators are happy with them. One locally here was purchased just prior to the company going into receivership (three ordered but only one delivered) and I'm unaware of any new aeroplanes been completed since. It seems that spares are still available however I believe that this one has been sitting on the ground for the best part of a year waiting for a canopy transparency. Worth asking how many new aeroplanes have been delivered to customers in recent years.
One school near Sydney operates a small fleet of Citabrias for ab initio and they've been going well for many years.
Hourly rate for the Robins and Citabrias are competitive with other types of that size; the Zlin was much more expensive to hire when it was available here so not really viable for ab initio.
A small number of Zlins were imported in to Australia many years ago. The last one operated by a flying school ceased when fatigue life prevented any further aerobatics until some costly work was done. As far as I know there is still one operated privately here but that fatigue life is an issue for it. Others here should know more about the fatigue issues.
Robins/Alphas are fairly popular in Australia for that role - ab initio / basic aerobatics. Four different schools and about half a dozen aeroplanes and all operators are happy with them. One locally here was purchased just prior to the company going into receivership (three ordered but only one delivered) and I'm unaware of any new aeroplanes been completed since. It seems that spares are still available however I believe that this one has been sitting on the ground for the best part of a year waiting for a canopy transparency. Worth asking how many new aeroplanes have been delivered to customers in recent years.
One school near Sydney operates a small fleet of Citabrias for ab initio and they've been going well for many years.
Hourly rate for the Robins and Citabrias are competitive with other types of that size; the Zlin was much more expensive to hire when it was available here so not really viable for ab initio.
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The Zlin 242 is a sturdier machine - quite like the Bulldog - and feels more like a military trainer. It's spin is straightforward and, if you take the correct recovery action, it comes out easily; if you don't, it doesn't, but the spin doesn't go high-rotational or anything else nasty. It has limitations though: the seat limit is 100kg which, if you're wearing parachutes, can be quite restrictive. If you want to do aerobatics you can only carry around 70 litres of fuel which doesn't last very long. It is not a dual purpose touring/training aeroplane. The 2160 is a nice aeroplane but not as capable regarding aerobatics. It's spin is very fast and quite disorientating; the French POH recovery action involves keeping the stick fully BACK which is a bit weird; the UK put in a supplement quoting the standard spin recovery.
