Výběr vlečného letounu pro potřeby Aeroklubu Jeseník

Abstract

This bachelor's thesis addresses the selection of a tow plane for the Jeseník Aeroclub, whose current fleet of Zlín aircraft is facing limitations in spare parts availability, rising operating costs, and an approaching end of designed service life. The opening section places the topic of aerotowing within the historical context of motorless flight development in the Czech Republic and characterizes the specific conditions of airport in Mikulovice, particularly the phenomenon of lee wave soaring in the Hrubý Jeseník mountain range, which places increased demands on the performance and structural integrity of the tow plane. Based on consultations with members of the Jesenik Aeroclub, technical, operational, and economic selection criteria are defined, including their weights determined by the ranking method. The second part evaluates four certified aircraft available on the market: the Zlín Z 143 LSi GENIUS, Robin DR401 180R, Maule M-7-235, and Bristell B23-916iS. The economic assessment of the investment is carried out using the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) method across three annual flight hour scenarios. The results are evaluated through a multi-criteria analysis, the output of which is a specific recommendation to acquire the Maule M-7-235, primarily due to its above-average performance characteristics in lee wave conditions and its five-seat cabin configuration. The proposed methodology is designed to be universally transferable to other aeroclubs facing a similar renewal of their tow plane fleet.