Zlín Z-50

Zlín Z-50 is a Czechoslovak, or Czech, special acrobatic, single-engine, all-metal low-wing aircraft manufactured by the Moravan aircraft manufacturer in Otrokovice (now Zlin Aircraft, Plc.) from the 1970s until the 1990s.

In the second half of 1973, it was decided to develop a new acrobatic aircraft that would participate at the World Aerobatic Championships. The main designer Jan Mikula and his colleagues therefore built the Z-50 model, using mathematical optimisation of aerodynamic characteristics and the foreign-made Avco Lycoming AIO-540 D4B5 engine with a power output of 260 horse powers. The new aircraft’s engine testing was performed in June 1975 and the prototype took off for the first time a year later, flown by Vlastimil Berg. The aircraft was presented at the World Aerobatic Championships in Kiev in 1976 and its mass production soon began (according to the Federal Aviation Regulations). The aircraft came in third at the aforementioned competition, but as early as 1978, at the same competition held in Hosín, the Czechoslovak team won the first and the third place. Similar results followed in other world championships as well, in 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1995. Apart from the Czechoslovakia, the aircraft was also used by Spain, Germany, Romania, Hungary and Great Britain.

There were six versions of the aircraft, with differences in small adjustments and engines. Z-50 L (the first mass produced version) and Z-50 LS, with the more powerful Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5D engine, were the most common. Their maximum speed was 290 to 308 km/h and ceiling 7,000 to 8,000 metres. Their wingspan measured 8.58 metres and length 6.51 metres. The last version was known as Z-50 LX and its first flight was in 1991. Between 1992 and 1995, seven Z-50 LX aircraft were built, four of which are used by the famous Red Bull Flying Bulls team. A total of 80 aircraft were made and many of them are still used by clubs at sporting events. One unit is exhibited in the Aviation Museum in Kbely, Prague.