Robin ATL
| ATL | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Light aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Avions Robin |
| First flight | 17 June 1983 |
| Produced | 1985—1991 |
| Number built | 132 |
The Robin ATL (Avion Très Léger) is a French two-seat light aircraft designed by Avions Robin in the 1980s to meet a need for an economical two seat aircraft to equip flying clubs. It is a single engined monoplane with a fixed undercarriage, and is, unusually, fitted with a V-tail.
Development and design
In the early 1980s, Avions Pierre Robin started design of an ultra-lightweight two seat light aircraft intended to meet the requirements of French flying clubs for a low-cost light trainer, as existing American training aircraft were becoming increasingly expensive, which was not helped by an unfavourable exchange rate, which resulted in a competition to supply a new light trainer, which could be mass produced for supply to subsidised French flying clubs. Robin won the competition in 1983 with their ATL design, a single engined low winged monoplane with a fixed undercarriage and a V-tail. The ATL's fuselage was of Glass-reinforced plastic construction, with a wooden wing.[1]
The first prototype flew on 17 June 1983, powered by a single 35 kW (47 hp) JPX PAL 1300, a new design of two stroke, three-cylinder radial engine.[2] However, testing showed that the new engine was prone to vibration, and in order to speed development and certification, the prototype was re-engined with a converted Volkswagen car engine,[3] which formed the basis for production. As the four-cylinder car engine was heavier than the original engine, the aircraft's wings were swept forward to maintain the aircraft's centre of gravity in an acceptable position.[2]
Operational history
First orders, for 30 ATLs were placed by the French National Aviation Federation in November 1983, with initial deliveries starting (under a limited airworthiness approval) in April 1985. Full French certification followed on 15 January 1986.[2] The ATL was prone to engine problems, however, which forced the recall of early production aircraft for modification, and limited the attractiveness of the aircraft, particularly for export.[4]
One solution to this problem was re-engining with a more reliable engine, and Robin developed a version for the German market powered by a 52.5 kW (70 hp) Limbach. While the Limbach was also a modified VW car engine, crucially, it had dual ignition instead of the single ignition on the JPX-modified engines normally used, this being certified in 1989.[5][4] This came too late, however, and production ended in 1991 after the completion of 132 aircraft, of which 10 were powered by the Limbach engine.[4]
Variants
- ATL Club
- Initial production version, named Bijou in the UK.
- ATL Club Model 88
- Late production version, with smaller propellor giving greater ground clearance and more fuel.
- ATL Club Model 89
- Limbach powered version.
Specifications (ATL Club)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89 [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Airfoil: NACA 43015 modified
Performance
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- "Robin ATL flies with VW". Flight International, 26 November 1983. p. 1418.
- "Robin re-engines ATL". Flight International, 1 July 1989. p.20.
- Blech, Robin. "The Jewel in Robin's Crown: Flight Test Robin ATL". Flight International, 22 June 1985. pp. 26—30.
- Donald, David (ed.).The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Leicester:Blitz, 1997. ISBN 1-856605-375-X.
- Taylor, John W R. (ed.). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5.