On Saturday, 12th October 2024 another edition of open doors afternoon event was held at Letiště Točná / Točná Airport in Prague, the Czech Republic. This time, the event was organised in the eve of the 77th anniversary of the first flight of Trenér aircraft and thus combined with Zlín Meeting.
The well-known Czechoslovak training aeroplane designated Trenér (English: trainer) took-off for its maiden flight on 20th October 1947. It shortly became one of the most popular Czechoslovak aircraft and gave start for an entire family of aerobatic and training aeroplanes, as well as an icon of the country´s aviation industry.
For many years, the Trenér aircraft were a backbone of flight training programmes and aeroclub aviation, not only in the former Czechoslovakia but also in many other countries. Aerobatic specials made on basis of the Trenér series allowed their pilots to won numerous awards at domestic and international competitions. The aircraft was also used by air forces for military pilots´ training in the Czechoslovakia, Austria, Cuba, East Germany, Egypt, Iraq, Mozambique and Yemen.
More information about the aircraft and history of its development and operation, as well as a short review of the Trenér variants, can be found in our article – Made in Czechoslovakia – Zlín Trenér family, issued on the 74th anniversary of the aeroplane.
The October Zlín Meeting at Točná gathered approximately a dozen examples of the aircraft and was a great opportunity to see different versions of Trenér.
Visitors to the airfield could, inter alia, see the oldest preserved airworthy example of that type of aircraft – Zlín Z-126 Trenér OK-DVG. Manufactured in 1950 as Z-26 Trenér, the aeroplane was initially used by the Czechoslovak Air Force. Then, it was assigned to Svazarm (English: Union for Cooperation with the Army) paramilitary organization and finally bought by private customer in the 1970s and upgraded to Z-126 standard. After its retirement from active service, the aeroplane was used as a source of spare parts. In the late 1990s, that Z-126 was returned to airworthy condition after a long-lasting restoration initiated by Aeroklub Příbram.
Another interesting example of the Trenér series that participated in the meeting was Z-526 Trenér Master OK-SND. The aeroplane was built in 1963 as Z-326 intended for the French national aerobatic team. In the 1990, the aircraft was upgraded to the Z-526 variant and now is the sole Czech-registered variant of the type equipped with Walter minor 6-III engine. Its current registration is a reminder of the first prototype of the Z-526, manufactured in 1965.
Then, there was Zlín Z-526 AFS-V Akrobat Special OK-XB, a special, one-seat aerobatic variant of the Trenér aeroplane. It is an upgraded derivative of Z-326A Akrobat, introduced into the market in 1960. The Z-526 AFS-V features strengthened construction, shorter fuselage (hence the popular nickname kraťas – shorty) and redeveloped canopy. That particular aircraft was manufactured in 1972 and initially used by the Czechoslovak national aerobatic team (more information about development of the Z-526 AFS in our article from May of 2024 – Zlín Z-526 AFS Akrobat Special).
In addition, Zlín Z-226 MS OK-MGD is also worth to mention here. That example of Trenér was manufactured in 1959 and already next year, it participated in the first FAI World Aerobatic Championships, held in Bratislava.
The list of participating variants of the Trenér aircraft included also Z-126, Z-226MS, Z-326MF, Z-526, Z-526F and Z-526M.
All the abovementioned aircraft could be seen at the static display, as well as during their arrivals and departures.
However, the highlight of the meeting at Točná was an aerobatic display of Trenér Box team. The group was formed in 2022, during the annual Rally of the Czechoslovak Aeroplanes and the 75th anniversary of the Zlín Trenér aircraft family.
The team consists of four different variants of the Z-526 aircraft, namely Z-526, Z-526M, Z-526F and Z-526 AFS-V, flew by Michal Masař, David Vilímovský, Kryštof Minich and Radim Vojta. During the October Zlín Meeting at Točná, the Trenér Box team performed two displays, met with applause and admiration of the spectators.
Although the event was mostly about the Zlín Trenér aircraft, the visitors to Točná airfield could also seen there a variety of other aeroplanes. Among them there was L-60 Brigadýr, another iconic aircraft of the Czechoslovak aviation industry; Orličan L-40 Meta Sokol, developed as the successor of the first post-war Czechoslovak aircraft M-1 Sokol; Zlín Z-43, representing the next generation of Czechoslovak training and touring aeroplanes, as well as two warbirds from the World War II years, AT-6C Harvard, the well-known Allied training aircraft and Taylorcraft Auster Mk V artillery air observation post.
In addition, there was a broad choice of General Aviation aeroplanes, such as Tecnam P92 Echo Mk II, Tecnam P92 Echo Super, Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, Robin DR400/180R Remorqueur, Cessna 172N Skyhawk, Cessna FR 172 Reims Rocket (a French-built variant of the Cessna 172) and Distar Samba XXL.
As usual, the visitors to the airfield had also an opportunity to enter the hangar housing collection of aircraft belonging to Aviation Museum Točná. Besides of the aeroplanes, there were also stands of World War II aviation history clubs, presenting the equipment, uniforms and stories of the Allied pilots.
Last but not least, historical cars must be mentioned here. At the static display, Aviation Museum Točná showcased its latest acquirement, Škoda 1201 STW minivan from 1957. The car was renovated and painted to replicate the Czechoslovak Airlines service car, used at Prague Ruzyně airport. In addition, a few other interesting vehicles belonging to the airfield visitors themselves could be spotted around, such as the sole existing prototype of Tatra 613 Coupe Vignale or Velorex, a popular Czechoslovak three-wheeled car.
More information about the long tradition of organising public days at Točna airfield can be found in our article issued in September of 2021 – An afternoon with legendary aircraft – open day at Točna airfield. The aircraft collection of Aviation Museum Točná was introduced on our pages in March of 2022 – 2022 aviation season opener – Točná open day.
More images from Zlín Meeting at Točná:
