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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_2000

The Alpha Aviation Alpha 2000 is a two-seat, all-metal training and general aviation aircraft built in Hamilton, New Zealand. It is a development of French Apex Aircraft's Robin R2000 series acquired upon Apex's purchase of the Avions Robin company.

History 1971-1994

Robin HR200/100 G-BVMM

The original Avions Robin HR200 was designed by Christophe Heintz[1], to supplement the earlier Avions Robin designs of Jean Délémontez who also designed the popular post war wooden Jodel. The HR 200 prototype first flew on July 19, 1971, and entered production in 1973. The R2000 Alpha name was applied to a new aircraft which shared the fuselage of the HR 200, but had all new wing and tail surfaces. The prototype R2000 Alpha flew on January 15, 1976 and production followed in 1977 to 1983.

Licensed production was also undertaken in Canada[2].

History 1994-2004

The R2160 model was returned to production with minor modifications in 1994 by Apex Aircraft[3].

New Zealand Production 2004 - 2008

In 2004 Alpha Aviation of New Zealand bought engineering jigs and equipment and world wide production rights [4] to both the Robin HR200 and Robin R2000 series. Alpha Aviation has recommenced production of the Robin R2120 as the Alpha 2000 120T and of the Robin R2160 as the Alpha 2000 160A and 160Ai. Apex continues to market the aircraft in Europe.

Production of the New Zealand development began in 2006 against orders for nine aircraft and 18 options (including orders form the UK, South Africa and Australia), with capacity to build four aircraft a month. An Alpha 160A, ZK-FXY, was first off the production line, being test flown by Noel Kruse and Steve Lange on 12 April 2006. It will be subsequently used as a company demonstrator. It made its first public appearance at the 2006 Warbirds over Wanaka airshow. The next three aircraft off the production line were ordered by the Waikato Aero Club as training aircraft. The official handover ceremony for these three aircraft took place on 15 April 2007.

A further 12 aircraft have been ordered by CTC Aviation Training Ltd. (New Zealand) for use as a primary trainer in their 'CTC Wings' pilot training scheme.

The 4 and 5 Alpha 160A's to roll off the production line were bought by Southern Wings, and since early 2007 have been operated for both primary training and aerobatic instruction.

In January 2008 production was halted due to the liquidation of Alpha Aviation by parent company Inventis.

Variants

As of 2006 three variants are offered. The approximate horsepower of each is indicated by the type number.

• Alpha 120T, the smallest and cheapest, envisaged as a trainer.
• Alpha 160A, a more powerful fully aerobatic trainer.
• Alpha 160Ai, a fuel injected engine and equipped for cross country touring as well as aerobatics.

See also

• Alpha Aviation website

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Related lists

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Published in July 2009.

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