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Robin
Robin Aircraft is a French manufacturer of light aircraft. It succeeds to Centre-Est Aéronautique (1957-1970), Avions Pierre Robin (1970-1988) and Apex Aircraft (1988-2008).
Centre-Est Aéronautique was formed in October 1957 by Pierre Robin and Jean Délémontez, the principal designer of Jodel aircraft. They began manufacturing aircraft at Darois, near Dijon, France.
The first aircraft designed by Robin and Délémontez was based on the D10, a four-seater designed by Édouard Joly and Délémontez at Jodel, that was shelved when work on the Jodel D11 became more urgent. In collaboration with Robin it became the "Jodel Robin" and later it became the DR100 model (Jodel's models all had D followed by a number). Robin and Délémontez continued to upgrade the design between 1957 and 1972. The DR100 range was succeeded by the DR200 range.
In November 1970 production continued under the name Avions Pierre Robin. The Robin DR400 first flew in 1972. The Robin HR200 had a different designer, Chris Heintz, and is fully metallic unlike the wooden DR series. It is a light aircraft aimed at flight training. The Robin R2000 series was developed from the HR200 and is produced as the Alpha 2000 by Alpha Aviation in Hamilton, New Zealand since 2004.
In 1988 Avions Pierre Robin was acquired by Apex Aircraft of France. Aircraft continued to be manufactured at Darois under the names Avions Robin (1988-1998) and Robin Aviation (1998-2008).
In 2008 Apex Aircraft went into liquidation and was acquired by CEAPR (Coopérative des Ateliers Aéronautiques de la Région Parisienne).
In 2012 Robin aircraft manufacturing resumed under the name Robin Aircraft.
DR300 | DR400 |
HR200 | R2000
Robin DR300
The Robin DR300 series were developments of the earlier DR221 Dauphin and DR250 Capitaine with a tricycle landing gear. The first variant was the DR340 Major, a tricycle landing gear version of the DR250 Capitaine which first flew on 27 February 1968, followed on 21 March 1968 by the DR315 Petit Prince, a tricycle landing gear version of the DR221 Dauphin. The DR315 was later replaced by the DR300. In 1972 an improved version, the DR400 was introduced with a forward-sliding canopy.
Robin DR340 Major, registration HB-EUX, built 1970, serial number 462
Cointrin (GVA), Geneva, Switzerland, 24 July 2016
DR300 | DR400 |
HR200 | R2000
Robin DR400
The Robin DR400 is a wooden sport monoplane, conceived by Pierre Robin and Jean Délémontez. It is an improved version of the DR300 and first flew in 1972. It is still in production, the current model is designated "DR401". It has a tricycle undercarriage, and can carry four people. The DR400 aircraft have the "cranked wing" configuration, in which the dihedral angle of the outer wing is much greater than the inboard, a configuration which they share with Jodel aircraft. This model is considered easy to fly by many and quiet during flight due to its wooden frame.
After acquisition of Robin by Apex in 1988, the Robin DR400 was produced as Apex DR400 until September 2008 when Apex went into liquidation.
Robin DR400/180 Regent, registration D-EEOV, built 1979, serial number 1427
Flugplatz Asperden (EDLG), Asperden, Germany, 4 June 2017
DR300 | DR400 |
HR200 | R2000
Robin HR200
The original Avions Robin HR200 was designed by Christophe Heintz, to supplement the earlier Avions Robin designs of Jean Délémontez. The HR200 prototype first flew on 19 July 1971, and entered production in 1973.
In 2004 Alpha Aviation of New Zealand bought engineering jigs, equipment and worldwide production rights of both the Robin HR200 and Robin R2000 series.
Robin HR200-160, registration HB-KFB, built 1999, serial number 332
Cointrin (GVA), Geneva, Switzerland, 16 July 2017
DR300 | DR400 |
HR200 | R2000
Robin R2000 Alpha
The R2000 Alpha name was applied to an aircraft sharing the fuselage of the HR200, but with new wing and tail surfaces to allow aerobatics. The prototype R2000 Alpha flew on 15 January 1976 and production followed from 1977 to 1983. The aircraft features side-by-side seating, an innovative control stick mechanism which reduces the risk of blockage and an unusually large payload for an aerobatic aircraft, making it useful for overland trips as well.
After acquisition by Apex Aircraft in 1988, the R2160 model was returned to production with minor modifications in 1994. Production continued until 2004 when Alpha Aviation of New Zealand bought engineering jigs, equipment and worldwide production rights of both the Robin HR200 and Robin R2000 series.
DR300 | DR400 |
HR200 | R2000
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