Photograph:
Tech Pro Merlin 100UL ZK-MEF (c/n MV23) at Whangerei, New Zealand in October 2017 (Gary Eady – NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Single-seat single-engine light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 26 kw (35 hp) Verner JCV 360 two-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
- Length: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Height: 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 7.05 m² (75.9 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
- Cruising speed: 160 km/h (99 mph)
- Stalling speed no flaps: 75 km/h (47 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down: 62 km/h (39 mph)
- Fuel capacity: 50 litres (11 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 150 kg (331 lb)
- Loaded weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
History:
The Tech Pro Merlin dates back to 2011 when the first prototype flew, the supply of kits commencing in 2015. Three variants were available. The Merlin 100UL had a tricycle undercarriage or a tailwheel, first flown in April 2012 and aimed at the Federation Aeronautique International microlight class. The Merlin 100ML was a lightened variant for the German market with reduced dimensions and able to meet 120 kg (265 lb) regulations. The Merlin Mikro was for the European ultralight class and was fitted with the Thor 200 engine. Development has seen a variant made available with a Rotax 582 engine, and an amphibious model was in development.
The Merlin was a cantilever high-wing monoplane usually fitted with a tricycle undercarriage. It was available with a number of engines, including the standard Verner JCV 360, but alternate engines included the 45 kw (60 hp) HKS 700E unit, the 37-kw (50 hp) Hirth F-23 and, as noted above, the Rotax 582 of 48 kw (64 hp). By 2013 ten examples had been delivered.
The first example of the Merlin in this part of the world was Model 100UL ZK-MEF (c/n MV23) registered to Allan R Cameron of Whangerei, NZ in October 2017. The Tech Pro Merlin was a single-seater of all metal construction usually supplied as a matched hole kitset aircraft but ZK-MEF was built up in the Tech Pro Aviation factory at Olomouc in the Czech Republic and underwent initial test flights before shipment to New Zealand. ZK-MEF is fitted with an HKS 700E two-cylinder, horizontally-opposed engine of 40 kw (60 hp).