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. It manufactures the Alpha 2000 range of light aircraft. The company was formed by Richard Izard to purchase the rights to Apex Aircraft's Alpha R2000 aircraft, originally manufactured by Avions Robin. Izard felt, it is reported, that this existing aircraft design could be substantially improved by the application of advanced production techniques and quality control. The aircraft is now being marketed as the 120T and 160A variants by Alpha (as well as the 160Ai, a 160A with a fuel-injected engine.)
The first aircraft manufactured (ZK-FXY) had its initial flight on April 12, 2006. The first production Alpha 160A aircraft (ZK-WKF and -WJH) entered service with Waikato Aero Club, based just across the road from Alpha at Hamilton Airport, in September/October 2006. Alpha expanded its production facilities in Hamilton, with an extension to the hangar being put in place in November 2006.
History 1971-1994
The original Avions Robin HR200 was designed by Christophe Heintz, 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.
History 1994-2004
The R2160 model was returned to production with minor modifications in 1994 by Apex Aircraft.
New Zealand Production 2004 - 2008
In 2004 Alpha Aviation of New Zealand bought engineering jigs and equipment and world wide production rights 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 from 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 4th and 5th 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.
Country of origin
New Zealand
Powerplants
HR 200 Club - One 80kW (108hp) Lycoming O235C2A flat four piston engine driving a two blade fixed pitch propeller. R 2160 Alpha Sport - One 120kW (160hp) Lycoming O320D.
Performance
HR 200 - Max speed 230km/h (124kt), max cruising speed 215km/h (116kt). Initial rate of climb 670ft/min. Service ceiling 13,000ft. Range with max fuel 1078km (582nm). 2160 - Max speed 257km/h (138kt), max cruising speed 242km/h (130kt), cruising speed 234km/h (126kt). Initial rate of climb 1025ft/min. Service ceiling 15,000ft. Range with max fuel 795km (430nm).
Weights
HR 200 - Empty 500kg (1100lb), max takeoff 760kg (1670lb). 2160 - Empty 550kg (1213lb), max takeoff 800kg (1765lb).
Dimensions
HR 200 - Wing span 8.40m (27ft 7in), length 6.68m (21ft 11in), height 2.18m (7ft 2in). Wing area 12.6m2 (135.6sq ft). 2160 - Wing span 8.33m (27ft 4in), length 7.10m (23ft 4in), height 2.13m (7ft 0in). Wing area 13.0m2 (140.0sq ft).
Capacity
Typical seating for two side by side.
Production
Approx 160 200s and 130 R 2000s built.
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Nidhi Jain [ MBA eComm]
Asst Project Manager [ eComm]
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