Country of origin:

France / New Zealand

Description:

Two-seat light touring and training aircraft

Power Plant:

One 88 kw (118 hp) Textron Lycoming O-235-L-2A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

This series of light aircraft was developed from the Avions Pierre Robin R2160. It was designed by Robin Aviation in France in 1978 but in 1985 production ceased.  Production re-commenced in 1994 after some re-design, which included new electrics and hydraulic brakes, better corrosion proofing etc, and a new, for the Alpha 160, fuel injected engine with a Christen oil system which provided fuel and oil in all attitudes, including negative and zero G.  The 160 was a low-wing monoplane with a tricycle undercarriage of conventional riveted aluminium construction, the only composites used being the engine cowlings and wheel spats. The aircraft had load limits of +6 and -3G.

Alpha Aviation Ltd of New Zealand secured the world-wide rights to manufacture and market the Alpha 2000 series (formerly known as the Robin R2160 and Robin R2120) training aircraft.  Alpha announced its aim was to produce aircraft that would meet the specific requirements of Aero Clubs, flying schools and private owners / operators with aircraft having good flying characteristics. The 120 and 160 used substantially the same airframe and seated two but the 120T was non aerobatic.

Over the years Izard Pacific Aviation has been the distributor for the Robin series of touring and training aircraft for Australasia, importing the R2120U model, commonly known as the Alpha 120T. In 2004 Alpha Aviation was formed at Hamilton, NZ, an agreement being entered into by the Apex Aircraft Group of France to build the Alpha series of two-seat aircraft at Hamilton, this involving the transfer of production from Darois in France. All production jigs, tooling and drawings were shipped to New Zealand, along with the European and EADS approvals.

In August 2005 Alpha Aviation opened a new facility to build the aircraft, announcing it had orders for two Alpha 160As for the Waikato Aero Club, two for Southern Wings at Invercargill. It had an order for 12 for the South African distributor. Production of the four-seat variants of the series remained in France, New Zealand production involving the Alpha 120T (trainer) with an 88 kw (118 hp) Lycoming O-235 engine; the 160A (using the Type Certificate of the R2160) with a 119 kw (160 hp) Lycoming O-320 engine; and the 160Ai equipped with a 119 kw (160 hp) Lycoming O-320 fuel-injected engine. The French company was to handle European distribution. Initial plans were for 100 aircraft to be produced a year, 90% of which were for export.  First New Zealand built aircraft was completed in early 2006, making its first flight on 13 April 2006 as ZK-FXY (c/n 160-2-06001).

Examples of the series have been registered in New Zealand to Northland Districts Aero Club of Whangarei, Canterbury Aero Club of Christchurch, Southern Wings Ltd of Invercargill, and Izard Pacific Aviation of Northland. Aircraft include ZK-TZG (c/n 369), ZK-TZH (c/n 357), ZK-TZI (c/n 361), and ZK-TZK (c/n 362).

Further examples of the series have been imported, including the R1180TD ZK-TZW (c/n 263), this model seating four, having a 135 kw (180 hp) Textron Lycoming O-320-D2A engine, having a max speed of 270 km/h (168 mph) and a range at 75% power with maximum fuel of 1,490 km (926 miles).  Empty weight is 650 kg (1,433 lb) and loaded weight is 1,150 kg (2,535 lb).  At least one Robin Alpha 160A has been registered in Australia, this becoming VH-ZXY (c/n 160A-07009) operated by Stick and Rudder Aviation of Bankstown, NSW.

Alpha Aviation Ltd continued production of the series, a deal being brokered in 2006 with the UK Company CTC Aviation for 12 Alpha 160As with an option to procure a further 14.  This company had training facilities at Bournemouth in the UK and Hamilton, NZ.  These aircraft were to upgrade CTCs fleet at its Crew Training Centre in Hamilton, this centre expanding with the delivery of four Diamond DA-42 Diamond Twinstars, four for the UK and four for New Zealand in 2006.  However, as noted elsewhere under the Avions Pierre Robin, in 2008 Alpha Aviation ran into difficulties and closed its doors pending being taken over by a new company.