Zlin Z-50

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Zlin Z-50

Z-50LX flown by The Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team
Type Sports plane
Manufacturer Zlin Aircraft
Maiden flight 18 July 1975
Introduction 1975

The Zlin Z-50 is one of the most famous sports planes used in aerobatics. It was made by the Czechoslovakian fabricator Zlin Aircraft.

Contents

[edit] History

In autumn 1973 it was decided in Moravan Otrokovice to develop a new single seat aerobatic airplane. The design team was headed by Jan Mikula, a noted Czech designer. During the design phase, computer optimization was used to optimize the desired aerodynamic characteristics. The principal goal was to determine the optimum engine and propeller combination for this aircraft. Designers settled on the Avco Lycoming AIO-540 D4B5 horizontally-opposed six-cylinder piston engine, rated at 194 kW (260 HP), driving a three-blade Hartzell constant speed propeller.

The prototype Zline Z-50L (L for its engine), with civil registration OK-070, first flew 18 months after start of design work, on 18 July, 1975. The first flights were very successful and confirmed all of the designers' promises. The Czech Aerobatic Team would bargain for this plane in World Aerobatic Championship in 1976.

The Z-50L became the first composite fabricated special aerobatic airplane in the world. It was certified per the US FAR regulations, with limit maneuvering load factors of +9.0 and -6.0.

In 1981, a more powerful Textron Lycoming AEIO-540 L1B5D with 224 kW (300 HP) was installed. This version was the Zlin Z-50LS and was first flown by Zdenek Polasek on 29 July 1981. The more powerful engine enhanced vertical maneuvers. The Zlin Z-50LS can fly with a weight of 760 kg from +8G to –6G in the aerobatic planes category (A Category), and between +3,8 and –1,52 in the normal category (N category). Many Z-50 L and LA versions were rebuilt to the Z-50LS standard in the early 1980s.

Another version derived from the Zlin Z-50 aircraft is a "baby fifty" – Z-50M with a lower powered Avia M-137AZ engine of 134 kW (180 HP). This was constructed for replacement of older and inconvenient Z-526 models, which were often converted to N (normal) category and used as glider tugs at many aero clubs. The Z-50M has limit maneuvering load factors of +7 and -5,5. Only eight Z-50M aircraft were built.

In April 1990 a Z-50LS received modified wings and was evaluated to determine if maneuverability was improved. The plane was designated Z-50LE (Experimental). This type remained only as a prototype.

The last version of Zlin 50 is the Z-50LX, which first flew in 1991, piloted by Zlin's chief pilot, Vladmir Peroutka. This version received additional fuel tanks in the wings and a robust smoke system for airshow routines; it was produced principally at the urging of show pilot Victor Norman. From 1992 to 1995 seven Z-50LX were built, and four of them are also used by the Red Bull Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team.

[edit] Specifications (Z-50)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.62 m (21.7 ft)
  • Wingspan: 28.1 ft (8.58 m)
  • Height: ()
  • Wing area: 15.5 m² (166.8 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)

Performance


[edit] References


[edit] External links

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