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Zlin Aircraft

Formerly	Zlin Aviation Zlin Aviation Works Zlínavion Moravan
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1934 (1934)
Headquarters	Otrokovice, Zlín , Czech Republic
Revenue	152,185,000 Czech koruna (2016)
Operating income	−365,000 Czech koruna (2016)
Net income	2,492,000 Czech koruna (2016)
Total assets	291,600,000 Czech koruna (2016)
Number of employees	138 (2016)
Parent	Baťa (1934–19??) Automobilové závody (1946–1948) Let (1948–1953)
Website	www.zlinaircraft.eu

Zlin Aircraft a.s. (formerlyMoravan Otrokovice) is aCzech light aircraft company. It is located at the Zlín Airfield on the outskirts ofOtrokovice. It is known for the line ofZ-26 Trener and other small aircraft like crop-dustingZ-37 and aerobatics specialZ-50.

Founded in 1934 asZlínská letecká společnost, a. s. (Zlín Aviation company), byZlín-based companyBaťa, it started to produce glider and single engine aircraft trainers. Later production expanded to segments of sport and agriculture aircraft. TrainerZ-XII became the most popular type of the era.

During theGerman occupation of Czechoslovakia, the factory was known asZlínské letecké závody, a.s. (Zlin Aviation Works JSC). It produced German trainer typesKlemm Kl 35, after the war known asC-1 in Czechoslovakia, and a low-wingBücker Bü 181 which was later produced asZ-181 (military designationC-6).

After World War II, the company was nationalised and used its official nameZlínské letecké závody, a.s. v národní správě (Zlín Aviation Works JSC under National Administration) and later on, it was incorporated to theAutomobilové závody, národní podnik (Automotive Works, National Enterprise) as its Otrokovice Plant using its new trade nameZlínavion. In mid-Sept 1948, the factory became a part of newly establishedLet, národní podnik (seated in Prague) as its Plant No.7 in Otrokovice (nominally merged with Zlin and renamed to Gottwaldov on 1 January 1949).

In 1953 a new nameMoravan, was adopted and marked the beginning of the most famous period for the company.Series ofZ-26 Trener were produced in the 1960s and 70s in large numbers for domestic civil and military use as well as export to both eastern and western customers. The type was one of the most popular for modern aerobatics competitions and it contributed to definition of high performance aerobatics specials. Other Zlin aircraft from the time are crop-dustingZ-37 Čmelák, Reliable all-metal trainers, two seatZ-42/142 and four seatZ-43 and a new aerobatics specialZ-50 which was a next generation aerobatics type replacing the Z-26 series in competitions.

The state enterprise was transformed to a joint-stock company after thefall of the Communist regime. It continued in production of the Z-42 and Z-43 series but the sales were rapidly falling and the sales network became disorganized as the company organization did not adapt to the market changes from centrally organized eastern markets to the free competition. Also the aircraft design was outdated (mainly engines) and the company could not find customers for its specific advantages (reliability and simple maintenance). The company suffered financial problems in 2002, it was renamedMoravan-Aeroplanes a.s. and it continued production of upgraded variants of Z-242L and Z-143L with improved wing design andLycoming engines. It also prepared the Z-143Lsi variant withfuel injection engine. However, the financial situation became even worse and the company declared bankruptcy in 2005. In December 2006, the company was taken over byCzechAircraft, s. r. o. owned by Irish QucomHaps Holding Ltd. represented by Billy Harkin and renamedMoravan Aviation s.r.o.

The production line has not changed and the backbone of the company activities were Z-143L and Z-242L, followed by the finally certified variant of Z-143LSi. The business was also extended with sub-deliveries to other aircraft factories in the Czech Republic likeAero Vodochody andLET Aircraft Industries. But the revival was short-lived and the famed company was closed due to long-term poor financial results and management in March 2010.^[1]

Zlin Aircraft a.s. was founded in July 2009 with a goal to take over the production of the Zlin aircraft. It bought all the rights to manufacture the current line of the Z-143L, Z-242L and Z-143Lsi as well as buildings, materials and personnel from Moravan Aviation. The company possesses all necessary certificates issued either by EASA or by local State authorities and/or ministries. Another notable activity is maintenance and overhauls of the Zlin aircraft which are still very popular.

• Persy I
• Persy II
• Persy III
• Toma 4
• Toma 6

• Aero Vodochody
• Avia
• Beneš-Mráz
• Let Kunovice
• Letov Kbely
• Skyleader

Wikimedia Commons has media related toMoravan.

• ZLIN AIRCRAFT a.s. - official site
• Zlin history on www.palba.czpart 1,part 2 (Czech)
• ZLÍN-AVION Service - popular ZLIN types maintenance company located in Otrokovice
• Zlin Aviation s.r.o. - another not-related company producing Italian Piper Cub replica "Savage".
• Zlín Aviation Joint Stock Company – Helicopters in Czechia

• Bata Corporation
• Aircraft manufacturers of the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia
• Czech brands
• 1934 establishments in Czechoslovakia
• Manufacturing companies established in 1934

• CS1 Czech-language sources (cs)
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Articles needing additional references from February 2021
• All articles needing additional references
• Commons category link is on Wikidata