Robin ATL
Avions Robin · France · first flew 1983 · light aircraft
The Robin ATL (Avion Tres Leger, "very light aircraft") is a French two-seat light aeroplane designed in the 1980s as an economical club trainer.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.72 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | V-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- V-tail instead of a conventional fin and tailplane
- Large bubble canopy
- Low wing with a fixed tricycle undercarriage
The V-tail is unusual on a light trainer, and the bubble canopy gives excellent visibility. The fuselage is glass-reinforced plastic, with a wooden wing and an all-metal V-tail.
Specifications
- The Robin ATL has a length of 6.72 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.25 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Avions Robin won a French competition for a low-cost trainer in 1983 with the ATL. The prototype first flew on 17 June 1983 with a JPX PAL 1300 two-stroke engine, which was replaced by a converted Volkswagen car engine, and the wings were swept forward to restore the centre of gravity.
Variants
The ATL Club was the initial production version, named Bijou in the UK. The Club Model 88 had a smaller propeller and more fuel, and the Model 89 used a Limbach engine.
Where you'll see it
The French National Aviation Federation ordered 30 in November 1983, with deliveries from April 1985. Engine problems forced early recalls, and production ended in 1991 after 132 aircraft, 10 of them Limbach-powered.
Related aircraft
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