Photograph:
Zlin 143L OK-AOA at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in February 1995 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two + two-seat touring and training monoplane
Power Plant:
One 175 kw (235 hp) Textron Lycoming O-540-J3A5 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.13 m (33 ft 3 in)
- Length: 7.57 m (24 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.91 m (9 ft 5 in)
- Max speed: 262 km/h (163 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 232 km/h (144 mph)
- Stalling speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Rate of climb: 276 m/min (904 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,170 m (13,681 ft)
- Take-off run: 295 m (970 ft)
- Landing run: 380 m (1,247 ft)
- Range at 3,048 m (10,000 ft) at 65% power: 1,078 km (670 miles)
- Range at 58% power: 1,314 km (816 miles)
- Empty weight: 850 kg (1,871 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,350 kg (2,976 lb)
History:
Moravan Aeroplanes in Prague has been building aircraft under the Zlin name since 1943, the Company having its beginnings as a subsidiary of the Bata Shoe Company. The Z-143 series was designed for air-taxi, touring, family and light business flying roles and for fast and safe transfers between remote areas or business meetings, the aircraft in the long-range variant with additional fuel tanks having a range of 2,759 km (1,714 miles). It was able to land on rough surfaces and became available for civil or military training schools. It was also aimed at the market for ground observation, naval and coastal patrol, room being available for equipment to monitor pipelines, such as infra-red cameras etc. It was built in Normal and Utility categories, had load limitations of +4 / – 1.7G, was available for banner and glider towing, and was certified in the Czech Republic, the United States, Slovakia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Germany, Macedonia, Poland, Hungary and Austria.
Designed to fulfil the role filled by the Piper PA-28 Cherokee range for many years, the Z-143 was a single-engine four-seat low-wing tricycle undercarriage cantilever monoplane of all-metal construction, fitted with the reliable 175 kw (235 hp) Textron Lycoming O-540-J3A5 engine driving a three-blade hydraulic pitch controlled constant speed Muhlbauer MTV-9-B/195-45 three-blade propeller. It could be fitted with a variety of instruments and avionics to make it suitable for day and night FR and IFR operations. Full mass-balanced controls were fitted. It could be used in the primary, advanced trainer, observation patrol, and banner and glider towing roles. Fuel capacity was two 61 litre (13.4 Imp gal) tanks but two 51 litre (11.2 Imp gal) tanks could be installed as an option in the long-range variant.
In 2004, to mark 70 years of production, the manufacturer, Moravan Aeroplanes, released a limited edition Z-143L with a number of features as standard, including leather seating, additional heating, cabin lighting and a special paint scheme. At that time the Company had built over 560 aircraft and supplied them to 60 countries world-wide.
First of the type seen in this region was OK-AOA, imported by the Australasian distributor in early 1995 and demonstrated at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC that year. Subsequently the aircraft was operated in Australia with its Czech registration as a demonstrator but was not sold locally and was eventually exported.
Another example has been imported, this being a Z-143LSi Genius which became VH-VHZ (c/n 0067- ex OK-ICU), being registered on 15 January 2016 . This aircraft is fitted with a Lycoming IO-540-O4D5 engine driving a Mujlbauer MTV-9-B propeller.