JMB VL 3 Aircraft of New Zealand

Back in May 2022 a new type of Class 2 microlight aircraft was registered in New Zealand, being the JMB VL 3 from JMB Aircraft s.r.o of Chochen in the Czech Republic.  The JMB VL 3 was originally manufactured by Aveko in the Czech Republic, but the design was taken over by JMB Aircraft in 2012 who had 6 employees and produced 2 aircraft that year.  Since then the company has grown to have more than 160 employees and produces around 60 aircraft per year.

The VL 3 is a standard low wing tractor retractable tri-gear aircraft made from composites but its main point of difference is how fast it is.  The latest models fitted with the Rotax 915 engine of 142 HP have an incredible cruise speed of 370 km/hr at 18,000 feet which equates to 200 knots! (while the Rotax 912 powered aircraft cruises at 280 km/hr or 150 knots).

The specifications for the VL 3 are:  length 6.24 metres, wingspan 8.44 metres and the wing area is 9.77 square metres.  Its empty weight is 310 Kg with the Rotax 912 and 360 kg with the Rotax 915 and both models have a MAUW of 600 Kg.  The eye popping speed of the VL 3 is detailed above but in addition the 915 engined model can climb at 2,000 feet per minute (while the 912 engined model climbs at 1300 feet per minute).  The stall speed is quoted as 42 knots.

A turbine version of the VL 3 was introduced at Aero Friedrichshafen 2022.

We have had one JMB VL 3 registered in New Zealand to date but more are on the way, with the next one, a Rotax 915 engined example for an Auckland owner.

ZK-JMB2 (c/n 252) is a VL 3E-1 UL model powered by a 100 HP Rotax 912 ULS engine, that was registered to the local agents JMB NZ Ltd of Amberly on 13/5/22.  It is a used example being from Greece where it was registered SX-UBN.