Z 400 Rhino
Moravan (Zlin) · Czech Republic · first flew 2002 · light aircraft
The Zlin Z 400 Rhino is a Czech single-engine, high-wing STOL utility aircraft, a re-engined licence build of the Russian Technoavia SM-92 Finist.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.85 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing STOL utility, Orenda V8
- Braced high straight wing
- Rugged fixed taildragger gear
Recognise it by the braced high straight wing, tall fixed taildragger undercarriage and a deep utility cabin. The large cowled nose piston engine gives it a purposeful bush-plane stance.
Specifications
- The Z 400 Rhino has a length of 9.85 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.85 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 plus up to 5 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Moravan announced the Rhino in 2001 and flew the prototype on 22 May 2002, fitting a powerful Orenda QE600 V-8 piston engine to the SM-92 Finist airframe. The aim was a modern, high-power bush and utility aircraft for short unimproved strips. Only the prototype was completed before the effort lapsed.
Variants
The Z 400 Rhino existed essentially as a single Orenda-powered demonstrator based on the Finist. No production variants followed. Its lineage traces directly to the Technoavia SM-92 family.
Where you'll see it
The Rhino saw no series production or UK service and remained an experimental utility prototype. It is notable mainly for pairing a big automotive-derived V-8 with a proven Russian STOL airframe.
Related aircraft
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