PlaneFox tracks 3 Z 50 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Zlin Aircraft (Moravan) Z 50 flies about 97 nm, roughly 180 km, which is about 0 h 45 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Zlin Aircraft (Moravan) Z 50 costs about EUR 2,138 a month to run, or about EUR 229 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Zlin Aircraft (Moravan) Z 50 is a single-seat aerobatic aircraft developed by Moravan Otrokovice in former Czechoslovakia. It first flew in 1975 and was produced from the mid 1970s into the 1990s. Designed specifically for advanced and unlimited aerobatic competition, the Z 50 replaced earlier Zlin aerobatic types with a stronger, more powerful, purpose-built platform. It became well known in European and international aerobatics, including World Aerobatic Championship use, and remains of interest to buyers seeking a dedicated competition or display aircraft rather than a touring machine.
Typical Z 50 performance depends on variant and engine installation. Early Z 50L aircraft used a Lycoming AEIO-540 series six-cylinder, fuel-injected aerobatic engine rated at about 260 hp. Later Z 50LS and Z 50LX aircraft commonly used a 300 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 installation. Published figures vary by version, but typical cruise is in the region of 120 to 140 knots, with range often quoted at roughly 300 nautical miles when not configured purely for aerobatic work. Service ceiling is commonly listed at about 20,000 feet for higher-powered versions. Maximum takeoff weight is around 1,870 lb, with useful load dependent on equipment, engine, propeller and certification standard.
The Zlin Aircraft (Moravan) Z 50 has a compact single-place cockpit under a clear canopy, optimized for visibility, control feel and aerobatic ergonomics. It is not a cabin-class aircraft and has no passenger seat. Instrumentation is typically simple and VFR-oriented, with flight instruments, engine gauges, aerobatic reference equipment, radio, transponder and, on some aircraft, smoke-system controls. Factory glass avionics such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not associated with the type. Modern examples may have updated radios, mode S transponders, portable GPS equipment or lightweight panel upgrades, but panel fit should be reviewed aircraft by aircraft.
Used Z 50 buyers should treat condition, history and documentation as central to value. Many examples have extensive aerobatic, competition or display histories, making structural inspection especially important. Review total time, aerobatic time if recorded, engine and propeller status, wing and fuselage attachment areas, control-system condition, corrosion protection, repair history and compliance with applicable service bulletins and national airworthiness requirements. Common market distinctions include the Z 50L with 260 hp Lycoming power, and later Z 50LS or Z 50LX aircraft with 300 hp installations. Compared with general-purpose sport aircraft, the Z 50 occupies a specialist used-market position: limited utility for travel, but valued for authentic unlimited aerobatic capability, parts support knowledge within the Zlin community and its competition pedigree.