Photograph:
Robin HR200-120B Ecole ZK-UWZ (c/n 254) at Dairy Flat, New Zealand in 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Two-seat touring and training monoplane
Power Plant:
One 88 kw (118 hp) Avco Lycoming O-235-L2A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
- Length: 6.64 m (21 ft 9½ in)
- Height: 1.94 m (6 ft 4½ in)
- Wing area: 12.50 m² (134.55 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 215 km/h (134 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power at altitude: 222 km/h (138 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 111 km/h (69 mph)
- Stalling speed with 25º flaps: 93 km/h (58 mph)
- Max rate of climb: 229 m/min (750 ft/min)
- Take-off to clear 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 594 m (1,950 ft)
- Landing run over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 460 m (1,510 ft)
- Range cruising at 3,048 m (10,000 ft): 1,074 km (668 miles)
- Endurance at cruise at sea level: 4½ hours
- Fuel capacity: 120 litres (26 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 525 kg (1,157 lb)
- Loaded weight: 780 kg (1,720 lb)
History:
In 1970, to meet the requirements of French flying clubs and aero clubs, Avions Pierre Robin at Dijon in France designed and built a new two-seat training aircraft series known as the HR200, the prototype flying for the first time on 29 July 1971. A number of variants was made available, all with variants of the Lycoming O-235 engine, comprising the HR200-100 Club, which was the basic training model with an 81 kw (108 hp) Avco Lycoming O-235-H2C engine; the HR200-120 with the more powerful 93 kw (125 hp) Avco Lycoming O-235-J2 engine; the HR200-140 with a 104 kw (140 hp) Avco Lycoming O-235-E engine; and the HR200-160 with a 119 kw (160 hp) Avco Lycoming IO-320-D engine.
Production got underway in 1972-1973, and deliveries began late in 1973 to various French pilot training organisations. To meet customer requirements, further variants were added to the range, these including an even more basic low-cost model known as the HR200-100S, which was similar to the HR200-100 but had a lower level of equipment and no wheel fairings; and the HR200-100B with the popular Avco Lycoming O-235-L2A engine. Production of the series concluded in 1976 after 108 examples had been delivered. Pilot magazine in the United Kingdom described the HR200 “as a brilliant little training aeroplane that is delightful to fly, with outstanding visibility”.
The HR200 series was of all metal construction using light alloy and pop rivets. Stressed skin construction was used throughout. The wing was built in two parts, port and starboard, being mated to the centre section which was integral with the fuselage. Each wing had a single main spar at the thickest point and the wing had an NACA 64 A 515 section. Frize flaps were fitted, being electrically operated.
The first of the series seen in this region was ZK-UNZ (c/n 254), a Model HR200-120B imported by Izard Pacific Aviation Ltd of Springhill, NZ and registered on 8 May 2006, the registration being changed on 11 May to ZK-UWZ.