Zlín Z 43

Zlín · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1968 · light aircraft

The Zlín Z 43 is a four-seat Czech touring and training monoplane developed from the two-seat Z 42. It provided Eastern Bloc flying schools and aero clubs with a practical four-seat aircraft for cross-country training and utility transport.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.16 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Four-seat Czech touring and training low-wing monoplane
Side-by-side front seats with two rear seats
Enclosed cabin with generous glazing

A compact four-seat low-wing tourer with a distinctive Zlín family nose — the inverted inline engine gives a flatter cowl top than a radial — and slightly squarer wingtips than the earlier Z 226 family.

Specifications

The Zlín Z 43 has a length of 8.16 m (27 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.76 m (32 ft).
Its maximum speed is 247 km/h (153 mph).
Typical crew: 1 + 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1968, the Z 43 entered production for Czechoslovak aero clubs and was exported to socialist countries. Its Avia M 337 inverted inline engine and clean airframe gave good performance for a four-seater. Production continued into the 1980s, and the type remains in operation with various civilian operators.

Variants

The Z 43 was produced as a single main variant with minor equipment updates over the production run; the Z 143 is a subsequent development with a more powerful engine.

Where you'll see it

Operated by flying clubs and aviation schools across Czechoslovakia and other Warsaw Pact states; a number of examples continue in private civilian use.

Related aircraft

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