organization did not adapt to the market changes from centrally organized eastern markets to the free competition. Also the aircraft design was outdated (mainly engines) and the company could not find customers for its specific advantages (reliability and simple maintenance). The company suffered financial problems in 2002, it was renamed Moravan-Aeroplanes a.s. and it continued production of upgraded variants of Z-242L and Z-143L with improved wing design and Lycoming engines. It also prepared the Z-143Lsi variant with fuel injection engine. However, the financial situation became even worse and the company declared bankruptcy in 2005. In December 2006, the company was taken over by CzechAircraft, s. r. o. owned by Irish QucomHaps Holding Ltd. represented by Billy Harkin and renamed Moravan Aviation s.r.o. Moravan Aviation s.r.o. (2006–2010) The production line has not changed and the backbone of the company activities were Z-143L and Z-242L, followed by the finally certified variant of Z-143LSi. The business was also extended with sub-deliveries to other aircraft factories in the Czech Republic like Aero Vodochody and LET Aircraft Industries. But the revival was short-lived and the famed company was closed due to long-term poor financial results and management in March 2010. Zlin Aircraft a.s. (2009–present) Zlin Aircraft a.s. was founded in July 2009 with a goal to take over the production of the Zlin aircraft. It bought all the rights to manufacture the current line of the Z-143L, Z-242L and Z-143Lsi as well as buildings, materials and personnel from Moravan Aviation. The company possesses all necessary certificates issued either by EASA or by local State authorities and/or ministries. Another notable activity is maintenance and overhauls of the Zlin aircraft which are still very popular. Products Aircraft Engines Persy I Persy II Persy III Toma 4 Toma 6 See also Aero Vodochody Avia Beneš-Mráz Let Kunovice Letov Kbely Skyleader References Notes Bibliography External links ZLIN AIRCRAFT a.s. - official site Zlin history on www.palba.cz part 1, part 2 (Czech) ZLÍN-AVION Service - popular ZLIN types maintenance company located in Otrokovice Zlin Aviation s.r.o. - another not-related company producing Italian Piper Cub replica "Savage". Zlín Aviation Joint Stock Company – Helicopters in Czechia Bata Corporation Aircraft manufacturers of the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia Czech brands