G-VITE Flying Group

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History of G-VITE.

The Robin R1180 Aiglon is a French four-seat touring and training monoplane designed and built by Avions Robin.

Avions Robin was previously known as Avions Pierre Robin and Centre Est Aeronautique which was taken over by Apex Aircraft in 1988.

Avions Pierre Robin was formed by two designers, Pierre Robin and Jean Delemontez. Jean Delemontez was best known for his work with his father-in-law working on the Jodel range of aircrafts. Avions Robin first aircraft was based on the Jodel D10, which was shelved when worked began on the Jodel D11. The D11 was produced due to the urgent request of the French Government who wanted a low-wing aircraft to be used by the nations flying clubs.

The D11 was a tail dragger and built in the 1950's.

The Aiglon R1180 is an all metal low wing monoplane with a fixed tricycle landing gear and powered by a nose-mounted 180hp (134kW) Lycoming O-360-A3AD engine. It's designed was based on the early Robin HR100 but the R1180 had a lighter airframe, new fin design and rudder. A photograph of a HR100 can be view from here. Notice the rear window, it's smaller.

The prototype of the R1180 first flew on 25 March 1977 and the production version after having numerous modifications was certified on 19 September 1978. G-VITE is an Aiglon R1180T. The difference between this and the R1180 are the cabin windows. They are longer, enabling the passengers better vision. The role of these aeroplanes were for touring, providing comfort for four people. It also had the build durability for training, alas only 30 of these were ever built. G-VITE was built in 1978, its serial number is 219.

In October 1978 the Pilot Magazine published the test pilot, Alan "Bunny" Bramson describing how Avions Robin first entered "the metal aircraft business" with the HR100. Bramson, an unapologetic fan of the wooden Jodel-inspired Robins, pointed out that although the HR100/210 Royale had "30 more horses" than the 180hp Robin Regent it was slower in the cruise and no match for Robin`s "wooden masterpiece".

Alan Bramson was the Test Pilot for the R1180's. He stated in his report that "Pierre Robin`s latest tourer has been designed to provide the economics of four-seat cruising on 180hp with the performance normally expected from more powerful aircraft". He added that the type "owes more to the R2100 trainer than the previous HR100 series." This is very evident in the lines of the current Robin Alpha 2120.

Whilst Bramson was not over effusive in his praise when comparing performance with his favoured wooden Robins, he noted clear advantages over several metal competitors and concluded "If the Aiglon represents no breakthrough in cruising speed it does offer the widest cabin in its class, an above-average rate of climb, good engineering, excellent finish and the best range you are likely to get while carrying four occupants and their baggage on 180 hp".

G-VITE was first registered in June 1980 to Trans Global Aviation.

On 17th February 1990 the G-VITE Flying Group was formed by 6 members who purchased the aeroplane from Booker, (Wycombe Air Park). In the Photo Section is a photograph of 4 of the original members taking delivery, however only one original member is still active, the others have moved on to other things.

Alan Bramson
Alan "Bunny" Bramson

Obviously, when G-VITE was based at Stapleford, everyone had to complete a check ride. One of the group members recalls celebrating his new part-ownership of G-VITE with a trip up the M11 from Stapleford. Speaking to Stansted en route, the controller was heard to warn another aircraft of the "Robin Acorn" in it`s vicinity, when the initial call mentioned "Robin Aiglon". Ever since, Aiglon has been dropped from radio transmissions in favour of "Robin R100".

G-VITE`s original owner, Nick Snook, earned the aircraft its place in history by winning the 1985 Digital Schneider Trophy Air Race, in which the Supermarine (Spitfire) won in 1929, carrying the apt race-number 100 as seen in the photo's section. Click here to read the article published in Flight International 6 July 1985. Although the aeroplane is mainly used for touring to places as far afield as Switzerland and Luxemburg and within the UK, a recent return to racing provided for one member, a taste of flying in the VITE lane!

The group is maintained by six friendly members who all have a passion for aviation as well as taking pride in the condition of the aeroplane and keeps it well maintained, as Safety always comes first.