The 1992, serial 0651, Zlin 242L (ICAO Z-42) is a 2 seat aerobatic trainer designed for both the civilian and military training market. It is fully certified in Europe, Australia, Canada, USA and many other countries. Note: this aircraft was built in 1992 but somehow I cannot ammend the incorrect 2003 listing on the plane sales website. Built by Zlin Aircraft a.s. (formally Moravan a.s.) in the Czech Republic, the aircraft comes from a long line of famous aerobatic and military aircraft dating back to the 1930's. Visit https://www.zlinaircraft.eu/en/Aircraft/Z-242-L-Guru-en/ for further information on the Z 242 L "Guru". The Zlin 242L look and performs very similar to the New Zealand PAC CT-4 or the British Bristol Bulldog. The Zlin 242L is used today by various Air Forces around the world for basic flying training. The aircraft is rated to +6 / -3.5 g and has some advanced safety systems. The spar is nitrogen charged for early crack detection. The aircraft is fitted with an acceleration monitoring unit (AMU) that records all loading on the aircraft and calculates some maintenance intervals based on actual aircraft operation. The canopy has an ejection system and the seats are designed to be used with or without parachutes. As of June 2018 the total aircraft time is 1509 hrs. The current maintenance release expires on 11/11/18 or 1589.1 hrs. The aircraft is currently maintained by Coomalie Air Maintenance. VH-NZL is fitted with a glider tow hook as a standard factory feature. As a 2-seat glider tug, this aircraft would be perfect for training new glider tug pilots. All metal structure with aluminium fuselage and wings. Sliding canopy can be fully open during taxi for cooling comfort in hot climates. For the last 5 years the aircraft has been used exclusively for Trial Instructional Flights for Air Force Cadets in the top end of the Northern Territory at RAAF Darwin and RAAF Tindal. Hundreds of kids have experienced the joy of aerobatic flight for the first time with qualified flight instructor (QFI). The aircraft is perfect for this type of operation and has performed above all expectations. Unfortunately, due to recent changes in RAAF funding policies the Zlin no longer being needed. The aircraft has been hangered most of the time for the last 5 years. Only moving out of the hanger onto the tarmac when military exercise occurs requiring an F/A-18 to take the hangered parking. The aircraft very versatile platform for personal or commercial use. It performs well at cross country flying, can conduct aerobatics with decent passenger weights and tow gliders or banners. The aircraft will cruise at 120 Kts above A060.
The aircraft climbs very well off the ground thanks to the 200Hp engine and 3 bladed prop. The prop can disc to provide substantial speed breaking which is perfect for aerobatic manoeuvres or steep descent approaches VH-NZL is currently located at Darwin Airport (RAAF Darwin). |