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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 26, 2007 21:40:55 GMT 12
"New Zealand planemaker Alpha Aviation has hired former Mooney CEO Gretchen Jahn as general manager to take resurrection of the French-designed Robin series to the next level. The Alpha 160, a low-wing trainer, is made in Hamilton, N.Z. and recently gained FAA certification.."
AVwebFlash today
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 27, 2007 7:57:23 GMT 12
You dont see too many new build Alphas about at the moment. I visited the factory last year, it was amazing the number of changes they were making to the airframes from the original Robin design. Same shape, different insides basically. Anyone here flown a new Alpha?
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Post by stu on Feb 27, 2007 8:16:18 GMT 12
You dont see too many new build Alphas about at the moment. I visited the factory last year, it was amazing the number of changes they were making to the airframes from the original Robin design. Same shape, different insides basically. Anyone here flown a new Alpha? Do TZG, TZH, TZJ, TZK and TZL count as new or am I on the wrong track? They're all listed in my logbook. Also flown UWZ a few times, an older French Robin 2120 as far as I'm aware but I could be mistaken. Slightly different flying characteristics to the others - i.e. seems more nose down when straight and level and only 20 degrees of flap (discovered the big difference that makes on final on a still day - "slow down d**m you"). Cheers, Stu.  |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 27, 2007 8:25:01 GMT 12
You must fly with North Shore Aero Club then! I thought those aircraft were Robins, not Alphas ('Robin' is painted on the rudder). Were these aircraft acquired through Izard, or from the Alpha factory in Hamilton? I didnt thin kthe Alpha people had manufactured that many yet.
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Post by Bruce on Feb 27, 2007 9:08:01 GMT 12
Currently the NZ only NZ made Alphas I am aware of are the ones in service at the Waikato Aero Club. There are others on the way obviously, but they havent been turning them out for long. The WAC examples are essentially production test/ "Shakedown" machines, being local the bugs can be ironed out quickly as the hours get built up. CTC aviation are also early on the production list.
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Post by stu on Feb 27, 2007 10:11:05 GMT 12
Yep - wrong track again Probably a bit of confusion on my behalf (not hard as I am feeble of brain at times). My logbook shows the a/c as the R2120U and the Alpha website shows them as the Alpha 120T. I take it that the North Shore aircraft are essentially NZ built Robin's and the aircraft in question are a different design? I also take it that I should know the correct answer as I normally fly them twice a week - see feeble of brain comment above  Cheers, Stu. |
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Post by stu on Feb 27, 2007 10:21:08 GMT 12
I should spend more time reading the words instead of looking at the pretty pictures on websites and then perhaps I'd sort out my own confusion and not have to post stupid questions.  From the North Shore Aero Club's website ..... www.nsac.co.nz/aircraft/index.php?offset=1 "Club : Robin R2120 (France) The North Shore Aero Club initially purchased four of these aircraft in the middle of 2003 with a fifth (ZK-TZH) being purchased in 2004. The first Robin aircraft (to be made of metal rather than wood, fabric and composite), was produced in 1970, the HR 100. The ‘R’ stood for Pierre Robin whilst the ‘H’ stood for Christophe Heintz, the aircraft’s co-designer. The HR 100 was a four-seat tourer. This was shortly joined by the HR 200, a two-seat training variant. Later came the R 2000 Alpha series which was a redevelopment of the HR 200. The HR 200's basic fuselage was retained, but changes included an all new wing and a enlarged rudder and vertical tail to improve spinning characteristics. These two-seat aircraft dispensed with the Jodel-style cranked wing and had straight wings with a constant dihedral from the centre. There were three main variants of the Robin R2000 series, the R2100, R2112 and the R2160 with the last three digits stand for the engine horsepower. The ‘H’ had by this time been dropped as Robin was now the sole aircraft designer. The R 2000 range is now currently produced and marketed under the name of “Alpha” (see Alpha Aviation under the “Useful Links” page of our website). In October 2004 Alpha Aviation Ltd (which is based in Hamilton, New Zealand) exercised an option to purchase from Robin Aviation all the jigs, tooling and intellectual rights to the series of aircraft which were known as the Robin R2000 series. The aerobatic Alpha 160A (ex-R 2160) has a fuel injected version called Alpha 160Ai. A new Alpha 120T (T as Trainer with 120 hp) has been designed with the R 2000 aerostructure (except for a normal rudder and no keel) and a standard Lycoming O-235. This is the variant which is operated by the North Shore Aero Club. As Alpha Aviation establishes itself it is expected that the range of Alpha aircraft available will increase. For more technical details and specifications please visit the Alpha Aviation website www.alphaaviation.co.nz ." Cheers, Stu. |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 27, 2007 12:35:49 GMT 12
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Post by madmac on Feb 27, 2007 17:28:36 GMT 12
There are currently 6 alphas in service, 2 with Waikato Aeroclub (third to be delivered shortly), 2 with Southern wings, CTC has 1 plus they are leasing ZK-FXY (Alpha's demonstrator when they can get there hands on it). These are 160A models, the next one is an 160Ai which goes to the U.K.
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