The Zlín Z 42 is a training aircraft produced by Moravan Otrokovice, a company based in Czechoslovakia.
It’s a single-engine, two-seater plane.
Among the company’s lineup, the Z 142, a more advanced model, is the most popular variant.
Moravan has introduced a new series of light aircraft to succeed the successful Zlín Trener series of tandem aerobatic trainers.
This new series includes aircraft with side-by-side seating, featuring the two-seat trainer Zlín Z 42 and the four-seat trainer/tourer Zlín Z 43.
The Z 42 aircraft successfully completed its first flight on October 17, 1967, and received airworthiness certification on September 7, 1970.
The centre section of the fuselage is built with welded steel tubes, covered by sheet metal and fibreglass panels.
The tail cone employs monocoque construction methods.
The empennage is constructed from sheet metal.
In contrast, the wings feature a two-spar design and are entirely metallic.
The aircraft is equipped with fixed tricycle-type landing gear, including a steerable nosewheel.
The aircraft, specifically designed for aerobatic instruction, is certified to endure manoeuvring load factors of +6.0 and -4.0.
It features complete inverted fuel and oil systems for prolonged inverted flight.
The Z 42 is powered by a Walter inverted six-cylinder engine with a power output of 134 kW (180 hp).
The modified Zlín Z 42M, which first flew in November 1972, sports a redesigned tail from the Z 43 model and a constant speed propeller, replacing the original Z 42’s variable pitch propeller, enabling pitch control by the pilot.
When early Z 42 aircraft were updated with this new propeller, they were redesignated as Z 42 MU.
Development progressed, culminating in the Zlín Z 142 aircraft.
This model boasted a marginally larger two-seat configuration, drawing inspiration from the Z 42’s design.
It also featured an upgraded Walter (now LOM) M 337 fuel-injected, inverted six-cylinder, supercharged, air-cooled engine, capable of producing 157 kW (210 hp), which replaced the non-supercharged LOM M137 engine of the Z 42.
The Z-142’s inaugural flight occurred on December 29, 1978.
Further enhancements were implemented in the late 1980s, including the replacement of the inverted inline engine with a four-cylinder, horizontally opposed Lycoming IO-360 engine.
This version, the Z 242L Guru, is distinguishable by its broader cowling to fit the flat-four engine.
In 2021, Zlin introduced an upgraded 242L model named Zeus, featuring a sleeker tail design, a more streamlined cockpit, and improved undercarriage.
Variants Zlín Z 42 The initial production model, equipped with a 180 hp (130 kW) Avia M-137 engine. Zlín Z 42M Features a revised dorsal fin and a constant speed propeller. Zlín Z 142 It has a forward-sliding bubble cockpit canopy and is powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) M-337AK engine. Zlín Z 242 Powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) engine. Zlín Z 242L Guru Zlín Z 242L Zeus Fernas 142 / ECA Fernas 142 (ECA – Entreprise de construction aéronautique) An Algerian-licenced production of the Z 142, which first flew in 1993.
Specifications Crew
1 or 2 Capacity
1 passenger or student Length
7.07 m (23 ft 2 in) Wingspan
9.11 m (29 ft 11 in); 9.19 m (30 ft) with tip-tanks Height
2.69 m (8 ft 10 in) Wing Area
13.15 m² (141.5 sq ft) Airfoil
NACA 632416.5 Empty Weight
645 kg (1,422 lb) Max Take-off Weight
970 kg (2,138 lb) normal.
920 kg (2,028 lb) aerobatic Fuel Capacity
130 L (34 US gal; 29 imp gal) in wing leading edges Powerplant
1 × Avia M 137 AZ 6-cylinder inverted air-cooled in-line piston engine, 130 kW (180 hp) Propellers
2-bladed Avia V 503, 2 m (6 ft 7 in) diameter, fully automatic constant-speed propeller
Performance Maximum Speed
226 km/h (140 mph, 122 kn) TAS (aerobatic TOW) at 600 m (1,969 ft) ISA Cruise Speed
215 km/h (134 mph, 116 kn) TAS at 600 m (1,969 ft) ISA Stall Speed
89 km/h (55 mph, 48 kn) flaps down & power off Never Exceed Speed
315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn) Range
530 km (330 mi, 290 nmi) standard fuel Ferry Range
1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi) with wingtip fuel tanks Service Ceiling
