Zlin 526F G-GIBP

Czech has a rich engineering heritage, and they took the aerobatic world by storm with a sleek efficient monoplane in the 60s. To hear the 160-hp Walter Minor 6-111 start-up just fills you with excitement. The Zlin 526 Trener Master is as close to long-nose, vintage aerobatic flying as many of us will ever affordably attain, but it certainly doesn't disappoint. To effortlessly pull off a four-point vertical roll has a value that we can’t put a price on. You solo the 526 from the back seat, and the grin on your face as you taxi with the canopy slid back will be visible to all!

If you are going to have a vintage aerobatic mount, you may as well source the very best example available. The Zlin type is still fully supported, and all parts are available new. G-GIBP is a 1969 example with just 1513hrs TT, and the air-cooled, inverted, inline six-cylinder engine has low time of just 355hrs SMOH by Vintech. The propeller has only 96hrs SNEW and the annual was recently completed in January, so it’s good for another year. The previous owner invested heavily in the aircraft, and with all the logs available from new we would love to sit and show you where the money was spent. The tip tanks for the aircraft have been refurbished, not presently fitted but are available to the new owner along with 12x spark plugs as spares. A radio pedestal contains an Icom A220 8.33Khz Com, Garmin GTX328 Mode S transponder with Sigtronics SPA400 intercom. In 1992 the aircraft underwent a deep, skin off refurb at Hubert Aviation in France, and the airframe has been regularly treated with ACF50. 

The Zlin 526 would complement any aircraft collection, or make a great one-stop purchase to aerobat, train, and tour. To examine the aircraft reveals a host of detail and craftsmanship, from a different age. The metric instruments, upside-down aerobatic artificial horizon, and swept wings draw your eye. Look closer at the execution, and you will see an aeroplane that could only be built in a factory by someone who took pride in their work. We never planned to sell the 526 on the ground, but one flight to see how precise and flattering the Zlin is to fly. A gentle touch is rewarded, and the satisfaction of mastering a sequence in this rare ship is what makes the investment justified. There are aircraft capable of aerobatic flight, and aerobatic aircraft. This is the latter.

G-GIBP is hangared at Fowlmere, and we can arrange delivery or export anywhere that is required. We welcome your enquiry.

Price £73,000 or €85,000 (No VAT)