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Alpha 2000
Alpha 2000
	R2160 Alpha Sport
General information
Type	Multipurpose civil aircraft
Manufacturer	Alpha Aviation
Designer	Chris Heintz
History
First flight	15 January 1976

The Alpha Aviation Alpha 2000 is a two-seat, all-metal training and general aviation aircraft, designed by Chris Heintz and built in Hamilton, New Zealand.^[1] It continues the successful French Apex Aircraft's Robin R2000 series acquired upon Apex's purchase of the Avions Robin company.

History 1971–1994

The original Avions Robin HR200 was designed by Christophe Heintz,^[2] 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 19 July 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, to allow aerobatics. The prototype R2000 Alpha flew on 15 January 1976 and production followed in 1977 to 1983. The aircraft features side-by-side seating, an innovative control stick mechanism which reduces the risk of blockage and an unusually large payload for an aerobatic aircraft, making it useful for overland trips as well.

Licensed production was also undertaken in Canada.^[3]

History 1994–2004

The R2160 model was returned to production with minor modifications in 1994 by Apex Aircraft.^[4] It was stressed to +6/−3 g and has a MTOW of 900 kg. There was also a fuel injected model (R2160i) and a non-aerobatic 120 hp trainer.

New Zealand production 2004–2008

In 2004 Alpha Aviation of New Zealand bought engineering jigs and equipment and worldwide production rights^[5] 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.^{[citation needed]}

Production of the New Zealand development began in 2006 against orders for nine aircraft and eighteen 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 on 12 April 2006. It was subsequently used as a company demonstrator. It made its first public appearance at the 2006 Warbirds over Wanaka airshow. In January 2008 production was halted due to the liquidation of Alpha Aviation by parent company Inventis.^[6] Alpha Aviation Holdings Limited in New Zealand continues to hold the type certificate. The STC for spare parts supply was re-acquired by CEAPR in France in 2017.

Variants

Robin/Apex

R 2100A: Powered by 81 kW (108 hp) Lycoming O-235 engine.^[7] 34 built^[8]
R 2112 Alpha: Replacement for R 2100 with 83.5 kW (112 hp) Lycoming O-235 engine.^[8]
R 2160 Alpha Sport: 119 kW (160 hp) Lycoming O-320 engine.^[8] Originally named Acrobin.^[7] R 2160 D: technically identical version with slightly reduced max. allowed RPM to meet German noise limitations.^{[citation needed]}

Alpha Aviation

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.

Specifications (R2160 Alpha Sport)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83^[9]

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 7.10 m (23 ft 3.5 in)
Wingspan: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
Height: 2.135 m (7 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 13.00 m² (140 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 5.34
Airfoil: NACA 23015
Empty weight: 575 kg (1,268 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Avco Lycoming O-320-D2A air-cooled flat-four piston engine, 119 kW (160 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 257 km/h (160 mph, 138 kn) at sea level
Cruise speed: 234 km/h (145 mph, 126 kn) at 3,350 m (11,000 ft)(65% power)
Stall speed: 85 km/h (53 mph, 46 kn) (flaps down)
Never exceed speed: 333 km/h (207 mph, 180 kn)
Range: 796 km (495 mi, 430 nmi) (max fuel, 65% power)
Service ceiling: 3,800 m (12,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 5.2 m/s (1,025 ft/min)

References

^ Calderwood, Dave (3 May 2021). "Zenair's Chris Heintz RIP". Flyer. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ Designer CHRIS HEINTZ
^ HR200JT
^ Robin HR200, R 2000 Alpha aircraft performance and specifications
^ Apex Aircraft and Alpha Aviation – A strategic alliance
^ "Hamilton's Alpha Aviation put into liquidation - NZ Herald". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b Donald 1997, p.777.
^ ^a ^b ^c Taylor 1982, p.77.
^ Taylor 1982, pp. 77–78.

Donald, David (ed.).The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Leicester: Blitz, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
Taylor, John W. R. (ed.). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.