This series of light two seat aerobatic aircraft was designed during the 1970s specifically for flying school use, and has been developed in two major variants, both of which are back in production. The original HR 200 was the second all metal aircraft designed for Robin by Christophe Heintz. It first flew on July 19 1971 powered by an 80kW (108hp) O235, while the first production aircraft flew in April 1973.

Three initial versions were built, the 80kW (108hp) powered Club or HR 200/100, the more powerful Acrobin 125 or HR 200/125 (with a 95kW/125hp O235) and the Acrobin 160 or HR 200/160 (with a 120kW/160hp IO320). The HR 200 remained in production until the late 1970s. Robin has then recommenced production of the HR 200/120 as the Robin 200, with power supplied by an 88kW (118hp) Textron Lycoming O235L2A and a new instrument panel.

The R 2000 Alpha series meanwhile was a redevelopment of the HR 200. The HR 200's basic fuselage was retained, but changes included an all new wing and a enlarged rudder and vertical tail to improve spinning characteristics. The prototype R 2000 was powered by a 135kW (160hp) IO320 and flew for the first time on January 15 1976 . Deliveries of production aircraft began in 1977.

Three developments of the R 2000 series were built, the R 2100, the R 2112 and R 2160 Alpha Sport, with the main differences between the three being the powerplant fitted. The R 2100 is powered by an 80kW (108hp) O235, the R 2112 has an 84kW (112hp) O235, and the R 2160 has a 120kW (160hp) O320. Of the three, the R 2160 Alpha Sport has been the most popular. Production of the R 2000 series (by Robin factories in France and Canada ) originally ceased in 1983, however Robin restarted production of the R 2160 in 1994.

The R 2000 range is now currently produced and marketed under the name of Alpha. Aerobatic Alpha 160A (ex-R 2160) has an injection version called Alpha 160Ai. A new Alpha 120T (T as Trainer) has been designed with the R 2000 aerostructure (except for a normal rudder and no keel) and a standard O-235. A new Alpha 160T (standard 0-320) is currently undergoing certification.

For more details see : www.pilotfriend.com\Robin aircraft.htm

An accomplished aeronautical engineer, Chris Heintz is a graduate of the E.T.H Institute in Switzerland . After serving in the Air Force, Heintz worked for Aerospatiale on the supersonic Concorde jetliner, and later became chief engineer at Avions Robin ( France ) where he designed several fully certified aircraft.