Does anyone know if the Robin 2160 is a good aerobatic trainer? It seems that it might be a little underpowered and not have high enough top speed to perform. Is it FAA certified? Thanks.

• RE: Robin 2160,erxs17, 22:54z, 06-10-05
  • RE: Robin 2160,ghmorris312, 03:51z, 09-04-05
    • RE: Robin 2160,AndyNZ, 09:54z, 07-07-06
• RE: Robin 2160,Redbaron, 17:58z, 01-12-06
• RE: Robin 2160,spotso, 15:26z, 07-31-06
• RE: Robin 2160,Patty_Wagstaff, 12:34z, 08-28-06

I did my aerobatic training in a Robin 2160 and I found it to be a great trainer. I dont know about in the US but in Australia and New Zealand it is certified as fully aerobatic. It has 160 horsepower, yes less than your pitts special, but it has all the power it needs for what it does, which its range is +6 to -3 gs the pitts special is +6 to -5 gs but when you are training you dont really need to get -5 gs. Also the Robin has very good visability, is affordable, and a forgiving aircraft which is pleasure to fly.

Find a Decathlon to fly. I have taught in the Decathlon and the Robin and the Decathlon is a much better aerobatic trainer.

-Greg Morris-

I have done all my aerobatic flying bar a handful of hours in our club's Robin. Just echoeing everyone elses comments. Great vis, and it is a simple predictable machine. I guess the only draw back with our one is that it does not have an electronic G metre, which means one or two careless manoevres could go un-noticed.
It can be flown at Intermediate, but this year's sequence means you would need a break or two during the sequence.
An extra 20-30hp wouldn't go a miss I must say..

Having done all of my basic aerobatic training on a Robin 2160 I can safely say that it has enough power and speed to do all that is required to teach you basic aerobatics and more.

I've since moved on to flying a Pitts S2A and was the Australian Champion at Sportsman level back in 2001.

My flying school is the Sydney Aerobatic School located in Bankstown NSW. We were at one stage the largest operator of Robin 2160's in the world, with 6 of them online.

We only have 2 left now due to the reduction in people learning to fly due to the costs involved.

You cant go wrong with the Robin 2160

Cheers from Downunder
Brad

I own a Robin, and have for five years. It is not underpowered at 160 hp. Climb is not what it might be in a Pitts, but is certainly sufficient for most acrobatics, especially when solo. Its only drawback is inverted flight. No inverted fuel system, only oil, but with the wing dehidral, inverted flight would not be its strong point in any event. Loops, rolls, cuban 8's and hammerheads all work well. Rudder authority is excellent, and spin recovery is normal.
At a cruise of 125-130 mph it is a fair cross country plane for short hops.
The plane is FAA certified, and has no airframe life limit for acro, unlike the Zlin which has a limit of 7oo hrs for acro.
If you know of someone who is looking to buy one, mine is for sale. Location USA. Spotso@aol.com

Hi there

I've never flown a Robin, but they use them quite extensively in Europe. Probably a good little airplane. Any airplane, however, must be flown within its limits.

Patty