Robin R3000

R 3000
Role Light aircraft
National origin France
Manufacturer Avions Robin
First flight 8 December 1980




The Robin R 3000 is a French single-engined light aircraft designed and built by Avions Robin, which entered production in the 1980s.

Development and design

In 1978, Avions Robin started design of a new range of all-metal single-engined light aircraft, with a wide range of variants planned with between two and four seats, various engines and a choice of fixed or retractable undercarriage.[1][2] The first prototype, a R.3140, a four-seater powered by a Lycoming O-320 flew on 8 December 1980, with the second prototype flying on 2 June 1981.[3]

The R.3140 is a single-engined, low-wing monoplane with a fixed nosewheel undercarriage. Its wings have a similar planform to the earlier wooden Robins such as the DR400, with tapered outer wing sections. But unlike the cranked wings of these earlier aircraft, the wings of the R.3140 have constant dihedral. A forward sliding canopy covers a four-seat cockpit, while the aircraft is fitted with a distinctive T-tail.[1][4]

Operational history

In 1983, a marketing agreement was reached between Avions Robin and SOCATA, the light aircraft subsidiary of Aérospatiale to market the R 3000 series. This led to the planned higher power versions being abandoned, with engines limited to 119 kW (160 hp) or less to avoid competition with Socata's own TB series.[5][6] The R.3140 received its type certificate on 13 October 1983.[7]

32 had been built by the start of 1988, when the marketing agreement with SOCATA was stopped.[3] Production continued after Robin was sold to Aéronautique Service (later to become Apex Aircraft) in mid-1988, with 76 delivered by 1998.[8]

Variants

R3000/100
Two-seat version with 86 kW (115 hp) Lycoming O-235.[5]
R3000/120
Three seat version powered by 86 kW (115 hp) Lycoming O-235-L2A.[9] Originally named R.3120. Production ended 1987.[1]
R3000/140
Four seat version powered by 119 kW (160 hp) Lycoming O-320-D2A engine.[10] Originally named R.3140.[1]
R3000/160
Four seater powered by 119 kW (160 hp) Lycoming O-360-A3A engine.[11]
Robin R3100
Robin R3120
Robin R3140E
Robin R3140T
Robin R3160R
Robin R3160T
Robin R3180S
Robin R3180T
Robin R3180GT1
Robin R3180GT2


Specifications (R 3000/140)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89 [10]

General characteristics

Performance


Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Donald 1997, p.777.
  2. ↑ "R3140 heralds new Robin series". Flight International, 10 January 1981, p.50.
  3. 1 2 Taylor 1988, p.82.
  4. ↑ Barnett Flight International 12 March 1983, pp. 659–660.
  5. 1 2 Robin R3000/100 aircraft performance and specifications. Certified Aircraft Database. Pilotfriend. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  6. ↑ Blech and Lowe Flight International 4 May 1985, pp. 22–23.
  7. ↑ Lambert 1993, p.91.
  8. ↑ Taylor 1999, p.421.
  9. ↑ "Private-Aircraft Buyers' Guide: Multi-seat, single engine—up to 200 hp". Flight International, 18 March 1985. p.33.
  10. 1 2 Taylor 1988, pp. 82–83.
  11. ↑ FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet NO. A66EU, 1 Mar 2007

References

  • Barnett, Cliff. "T-tails from Dijon:Flight Test Robin R.3140". Flight International, 12 March 1983. pp. 659–662.
  • Blech, Robin and Janice Lowe. "Tour de France". Flight International, 4 May 1985. pp. 20–24.
  • Donald, David (ed.).The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Leicester:Blitz, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
  • Taylor, John W. R.. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2
  • Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  • Lambert, Mark (ed.). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993-94. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0-7106-1066-1.
  • Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
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