Z 242 L
Moravan (Zlin) · Czech Republic · first flew 1990 · light aircraft
The Zlin Z 242 L is a Czech single-engine, side-by-side two-seat fully aerobatic trainer, the Western-powered refinement of the Z 142 line.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.94 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fully aerobatic two-seat trainer
- Lycoming AEIO-360 with constant-speed prop
- Low straight wing, fixed tricycle gear
It resembles the Z 142 closely: a low straight wing, fixed tricycle gear and sliding canopy over two side-by-side seats, with a single nose piston engine and conventional tail.
Specifications
- The Z 242 L has a length of 6.94 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.34 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 236 km/h (147 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Moravan flew the Z 242 prototype in 1990, adapting the Z 142 airframe around a fuel-injected Lycoming AEIO-360 engine with a constant-speed propeller. The change gave reliable inverted running and stronger aerobatic performance. It became a popular military and civil basic trainer.
Variants
The Z 242 L is the principal production model, marketed alongside the four-seat Z 143 tourer that shares much of its structure. Detail avionics and equipment options distinguished individual customer batches. It effectively replaced the M-337-powered Z 142 for export.
Where you'll see it
Adopted by air forces and flying schools across Europe and beyond, the Z 242 L is cleared to +6/-3.5 g and used for basic and aerobatic instruction. Examples fly on the UK civil register with clubs and private owners.
Related aircraft
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