Zlín 22

The Zlín 22, designed and built in the early 1930s by Czech engineer Karel Tomáš, represents a pivotal step in the evolution of light sport and training aircraft in Central Europe. Conceived at the Zlín factory, the aircraft was a single‑engine, high‑wing monoplane that combined modest power with robust construction, making it ideal for aero‑clubs and military pilot schools. Powered by a 105 hp Walter Minor engine, the Zlín 22 featured a wooden fuselage with fabric covering, a fixed tailskid undercarriage, and a spacious, dual‑control cockpit that allowed both instructor and student clear visibility. Its simple, low‑maintenance design enabled rapid production; only a few dozen units were completed before World War II halted civilian aviation. Despite the limited number, the Zlín 22 established design principles later refined in the famous Zlín 22‑Trener and Zlín 425 series, influencing post‑war trainer aircraft throughout the Eastern Bloc. Today, surviving examples are prized by vintage aircraft collectors and museums, serving as tangible reminders of Karel Tomáš’s contribution to Czech aeronautical engineering and the broader development of affordable training platforms. Its legacy endures in modern Czech flight schools, where the aircraft’s handling characteristics are still used as a benchmark for pilot proficiency training.

Karel Tomáš

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