It continues the successful French Apex Aircraft's Robin R2000 series acquired upon Apex's purchase of the Avions Robin company. In 2004 Alpha Aviation of New Zealand bought engineering jigs and equipment and worldwide production rights[4] to both the Robin HR200 and Robin R2000 series. Alpha Aviation has recommenced production of the Robin R2120 as the Alpha 2000 120T and of the Robin R2160 as the Alpha 2000 160A and 160Ai. Apex continues to market the aircraft in Europe. Production of the New Zealand development began in 2006 against orders for nine aircraft and eighteen options (including orders from the UK, South Africa and Australia), with capacity to build four aircraft a month. An Alpha 160A, ZK-FXY, was first off the production line, being test flown on 12 April 2006. It was subsequently used as a company demonstrator. It made its first public appearance at the 2006 Warbirds over Wanaka airshow. In January 2008 production was halted due to the liquidation of Alpha Aviation by parent company Inventis.Alpha Aviation Holdings Limited in New Zealand continues to hold the type certificate. The STC for spare parts supply was re-acquired by CEAPR in France in 2017. Variants Robin/Apex R 2100A Powered by 81 kW (108 hp) Lycoming O-235 engine.[5] 34 built[6] R 2112 Alpha Replacement for R 2100 with 83.5 kW (112 hp) Lycoming O-235 engine.[6] R 2160 Alpha Sport 119 kW (160 hp) Lycoming O-320 engine.[6] Originally named Acrobin.[5] R 2160 D: technically identical version with slightly reduced max. allowed RPM to meet German noise limitations.[citation needed] Alpha Aviation As of 2006 three variants are offered. The approximate horsepower of each is indicated by the type number. Alpha 120T the smallest and cheapest, envisaged as a trainer. Alpha 160A a more powerful fully aerobatic trainer. Alpha 160Ai a fuel injected engine and equipped for cross country touring as well as aerobatics. Specifications below are for the R2160 Alpha Sport model.
