The Zlin Trener & Akrobat

Country of origin
Czech Republic

Type
One and two seat aerobatic and training light aircraft

History
The renowned Zlin series of two seat Trener trainers and single seat Akrobat aerobatic aircraft was a great success, winning numerous world aerobatic championship titles during the 1960s.
The original Z 26 Trener was designed in response to a Czechoslovak government requirement for a two seat basic trainer for flying school and military use. The Z 26 was powered by a 78kW (105hp) Walter Minor 4III inline four cylinder engine, featured wooden construction and a fixed taildragger undercarriage. The prototype flew for the first time in 1947 and 16 production Z 26s were built before it was replaced from 1953 by the metal construction Z 126.
Development over a three decade production run resulted in numerous further improved variants. In 1952 Zlin introduced the Z 226 Trener6 which featured a more powerful 120kW (160hp) six cylinder Walter Minor 6III engine. The Z 226 was also built in single seat Z 226A Akrobat, glider tug Z 226B and Z 226T trainer forms.
The similar Z 326 TrenerMaster and single seat Z 326A Akrobat introduced retractable undercarriage, a feature that became standard on all subsequent models. Deliveries began in 1959. The Z 526 differed in that the pilot flew the aircraft from the rear, rather than the front seat, with optional tip tanks and a constant speed prop. The Z 526F introduced in 1968 had a 135kW (180hp) Avia M 137A engine, the otherwise similar Z 526L differed in being powered by a 150kW (200hp) Lycoming AIO360 flat four and was intended for export.
Single seat Z 526s were the Z 526A, Z 526AS, and Z 526AFS.
The Z 526 AFM was built between 1981 and 1984 and was powered by a 155kW (210hp) Avia M337 engine, had tip tanks and the Z 526AFS's lengthened fuselage.
Final development was the Z 726 series, the Z 726 Universal had reduced span wing, the Z 726K a 155kW (210hp) Avia M 337 engine.

Powerplants
Z 226 - One 120kW (160hp) Walter Minor 6III inverted inline six cylinder piston engine driving a two blade fixed pitch propeller. Z 526F - One 135kW (180hp) Avia M 137 A inverted inline six driving a two blade constant speed propeller.

Performance
Z 226 - Max speed 220km/h (120kt), normal cruising speed 195km/h (105kt). Initial rate of climb 950ft/min. Service ceiling 17,390ft. Range 485km (260nm). Z 526F - Max speed 244km/h (132kt), normal cruising speed 210km/h (113kt). Initial rate of climb 1180ft/min. Service ceiling 17,060ft. Range with standard fuel 475km (256nm), range with wingtip tanks 837km (452nm).

Weights
Z 226 - Empty 570kg (1257lb), max takeoff 820kg (1808lb). Z 526F - Empty 665kg (1465lb), max takeoff 975kg (2150lb).

Dimensions
Z 226 - Wing span 10.29m (33ft 9in), length 7.80m (25ft 7in), height 2.06m (6ft 9in). Wing area 14.9m2 (160.4sq ft). Z 526F - Wing span 10.60m (34ft 9in), length 8.00m (26ft 3in), height 2.06m (6ft 9in). Wing area 15.5m2 (166.3sq ft).

Capacity

Seating for two in Z 26, Z 126, Z 226, Z 326, Z 526 and Z 726. Pilot only in Z 226A, 326A, 526A, Z 526AF and Z 526AFS.

Production
More than 1400 of all variants built, many against military and government flying school orders.

The Zlin Z 42, Z 43, Z 142, Z 242 & Z 143

Country of origin

Czech Republic

Type
Two/four seat light aircraft

History

This series of two seat trainers and four seat light aircraft was initially developed to replacement for the successful Zlin Trener.
The initial Z 42 was developed during the mid 1960s and seats two side by side. It flew for the first time on October 17 1967. The improved Z 42M meanwhile introduced a constant speed propeller and the larger tail developed for the Z 43 four seater, and replaced the Z 42 in production in 1974.
Development of the two seat line continued with the further improved Z 142, which flew for the first time on December 29 1979. Changes introduced included a larger cockpit canopy and faired undercarriage. The Z 142 remained in production in Z 142C form to the mid 1990s. The latest two seater of this family to be developed is the 150kW (200hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO360 flat four powered Z 242 L. Changes aside from the engine include a three blade constant speed prop and revised engine cowling profile. First flight was on February 14 1990.
Development of the four seat models, the Z 43 and Z 143, has followed that of the two seaters. The Z 43 appeared a year later than the Z 42, flying for the first time on December 10 1968. The Z 42 and Z 43 share the same basic airframe, but differ in that the Z 43 features a larger and wider cabin with seating for four, and a more powerful engine. The current Z 143 L flew for the first time on April 24 1992, and is similar in structure to the Z 242, but again differs in having a larger cabin with seating for four and a more powerful Textron Lycoming O-540 engine.

Powerplants
Z 43 - One 155kW (210hp) Avia M 337 six cylinder inline inverted piston engine driving a two blade propeller. Z 242 L - One 150kW (200hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-360-A1B6 flat four driving a three blade c/s prop. Z 143 - One 175kW (235hp) Textron Lycoming O540J3A5 flat six driving a three blade variable pitch Mühlbauer prop.

Performance
Z 43 - Max speed 235km/h (127kt), cruising speed 210km/h (113kt). Initial rate of climb 690ft/min. Range with max fuel 1100km (595nm). Z 242 L - Max speed 236km/h (127kt), max cruising speed 214km/h (114kt). Initial rate of climb 1102ft/min. Range with max fuel 1056km (570nm). Z 143 - Max speed 265km/h (143kt), max cruising speed at 75% power 235km/h (127kt), econ cruising speed at 60% power 216km/h (226kt). Initial rate of climb 1457ft/min. Range at 65% power 1335km (720nm).

Weights
Z 43 - Empty 730kg (1609lb), max TO 1350kg (2976lb). Z 242 L - Basic empty 730kg (1609lb), max TO 1090kg (2403lb). Z 143 - Empty equipped 830kg (1830lb), max TO 1350kg (2976lb).

Dimensions
Z 43 - Wing span 9.76m (32ft 0in), length 7.75m (25ft 5in), height 2.91m (9ft 7in). Wing area 14.5m2 (156.1sq ft). Z 242 L - Wing span 9.34m (30ft 8in), length 6.94m (24ft 9in), height 2.95m (9ft 8in). Z 143 - Wing span 10.14m (33ft 3in), length 7.58m (24ft 11in), height 2.91m (9ft 7in). Wing area 14.8m2 (159.1sq ft).

Capacity
Seating for two in tandem in Z 42, Z 142 and Z 242, seating for four in Z 43 and Z 143.

Production
Total production includes more than 350 142s, approx 40 Z 242 Ls and 35 Z 143s, including military orders.