The Czechoslovakian Zlin Z-50
aerobat design dates back to the early 1970's. It was one of the very first aircraft manufactured using CAD.
The aircraft was built with a maximum
power to weight ratio, using a Lycoming 260 h.p. engine at its heart.
The wing was built strong, while wing
loading was kept at a minimum.
The air frame was equally as strong, resulting in an aircraft that
could withstand a positive nine times and a
negative 6.5 times the
forces of gravity.
The Zlin Z-50 soon started winning
aerobatic championships. Engine horsepower was upped by 40 in 1981,
further increasing performance.
Flying the Zlin Z-50 is exhilarating
and confidence building. Pilots appreciate the comfortable
adjustable seating arrangement that takes some
of the stress out of performing
aerobatic maneuvers.
Starting the Zlin Z-50 produces a
mellow rumble from the Lycoming engine, with surprisingly little
vibration transmitted into the cockpit. During
taxiing, applying the
brakes takes a firm push. The aircraft does not have a brake for
parking. Turning takes a bit of muscle.
The softly sprung landing gear are
wonderful for smoothing out rough terrain, but produce a wallowing
motion of the aircraft. However, the
aircraft's smallish wheels
limit flying from unimproved runways.
Taking off in the Zlin Z-50 is as
simple as advancing the throttle. There is minimal engine torque to
counter. However, with the throttle wide
open, you will be pushed
back in your seat. The Z-50 does not fly itself off of the runway,
and needs some back stick to get into the air.
The light aileron pressures, along with
a similar feel of the elevators can make first flights in the Zlin Z-50 a bit twitchy, even for
experienced pilots.
Aileron pressure does increase as the plane approaches maximum speed.
The large rudder of the aircraft keeps it tracking
straight, perhaps
a bit more than desirable in an aerobatic aircraft. The rudder has very strong authority, and all controls are well
balanced. The
aircraft can achieve roll rates in excess of 300 degrees per second.
The ailerons take a bit of getting used
to. Not only are the control inputs extremely light, but minimal
stick deflection results in a great amount of throw.
The power available in the Zline Z-50
results in very fast acceleration. The aerodynamic design results in
an aircraft that will quickly reach its maximum speed,
particularly while descending. The aircraft pitch is not sensitive to
changes in speed, and minimal trim control is necessary.
Using a slight amount of nose down
elevator trim during normal flight will result in inverted flight
with neutral stick.
Entering a low speed stall in the Zlin
Z-50 doesn't produce any dramatic reactions. Stalls result in a straight
ahead mush
with a wing eventually lowering. Recovery is uneventful.
Aerobatic spins and stalls under power, both inside and outside,
are also easily recovered from. The aircraft side slips
easily. When the
propeller is used to slow the aircraft, it offers excellent control.
The straight line flying tendencies
of the aircraft do limit knife
edge flight.
Landings are as easy with the Zlin Z-50
as with most other less aerobatic tail dragger aircraft. Turning final can be done
as slow as
75 mph. The aircraft provides excellent control feel,
giving advance notice at speeds approaching a stall. Your view will
be limited
to out the sides of the aircraft during flare. The softly sprung
undercarriage absorbs the impact of less
than perfect landings
without bouncing. Control during roll out is excellent, even during
moderate cross winds. There
is no tendency to ground loop.
The Zlin Z-50 can bring out the very
best in an experienced pilot, yet make a newer pilot look good. It
provides an
excellent combination of high performance, ease of
handling, and reliability.
Many Zlin Z-50 aircraft are still flying today. A total of 79
Zlin Z-50 aircraft of all types were produced.
RC Airplane on Sale
NitroPlanes rc Zlin.
Radio Control Airplanes
Pictured directly above is the rc Zlin from NitroPlanes. It has a wingspan of 40" and is 31" long. You will need a Speed 400 type motor to power it.
Weight is around 2 3/4 lbs. To get your discount and find the rc airplane, click on a coupon on this page. When you get to the NitroPlanes site enter Zlin in the
search box. It will take you to the page with many Zlin rc airplanes on sale. Click on the one you want. If it is out of stock, check back often because they
sell out quickly.
Pictured right below is the rc Zlin for sale at RC Hobby, UK. Its wingspan is 63" and it is 49" long. The fuselage is glass fiber and wings are balsawood
over foamy. All up weight is around 4 3/4 lbs.
The second picture below is of the rc Zlin for sale by Great Planes. It has a 58" wingspan and is 52" long, with a weight of around 6 3/4 lbs. From .46 to .55 two cycle,
from .52 to .70 four cycle, or the equivalent electric motor will power it.
The next picture down is of the rc Zlin Z-50 ARF for sale from Styrolan. It was built by Milo of RC Groups. Wingspan is 40" and length is 31". A Speed 400 type
motor is necessary to power the approximately 22 oz. model airplane.
Radio Control Airplane
RC Hobby, UK, rc Zlin Z-50 ARF.
Radio Control Airplane
Great Planes Zlin ARF.
Radio Control Airplane
Styrolan Zlin Z-50 by Milo of RC Groups.
NitroPlanes has
a rc Zlin Z-50 ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 56" and length is 43". It needs a .46 two stroke or .52 four stroke engine. Weight is about 5 1/2 lbs.
NitroPlanes has
a larger rc Zlin Z-50 ARF for sale with a 70" wingspan that is 56" long. It needs a 1.20 two stroke or 1.60 four stroke engine and weighs about 9 1/4 lbs.
Yongkang Fly Model Factory, China, has the 40" wingspan rc Zlin EP ARF for sale equipped with a brushless motor.
Yongkang Fly Model Factory, China, also has the 70" wingspan engine powered rc Zlin Z-50 ARF for sale.
Shenzhen Model-Fans Electronics Co., Ltd., China, has a rc Zlin Z-50 ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 65" and it is 53 1/2" long. Engines can be a .60 two stroke or
.91 four stroke. Weight, all up, is about 7 lbs.
S/L Cechla of RC Groups started a thread about his brother's giant scale Zlin Z-50.
At RC Groups mi1o posted pictures and a description of his rc Zlin Z-50.
At RC Groups spicoli82 had questions about a rc Zlin Z-50 ARF for sale.
At RC Groups ravenpower asked if anyone had experience with a rc Zlin Z-50 model airplane.
At RC Universe lrtx1 started a thread about his rc Zlin Z-50.
At RC Universe richyan had two Zlin Z-50 rc model airplanes for sale.
At You Tube SK1DMARK1975
posted a video of his rc Zlin Z-50 flying.
LukyPlane posted a video of his Zlin Z-50 performing aerobatics on You Tube.
Mathew Kirsch of RC Universe wrote a column describing a rc Zlin ARF in detail.
Don Shields of RC Groups posted all about a rc Zlin ARF.
At RC Groups edmoor was looking for a rc Zlin Z-50 for sale.
At RC Groups gp125racer started a thread about his rc Zlin ARF.
No Limits of RC Groups was asking for advice from anyone experienced with a rc Zlin Z-50 ARF.
At RC Groups spicoli82 inquired about the flight characteristics and power choices for the rc Zlin Z-50 ARF.
At WattFlyer RC electricfan started a thread discussing alternate power sources for his rc Zlin ARF.
At WattFlyer RC jobu was curious about the qualities of a rc Zlin-50.
Rikard Levenstam of WattFlyer RC started a thread about constructing a rc Zlin Z-50.
At WattFlyer RC mtuhoop24 asked about a rc ARF Zlin motor powered airplane.
Zlin Z-50
