The Zivko Edge 540 is a high-performance aerobatic aircraft with an extremely short takeoff and landing distance. The model was originally designed to be a show plane, but it has since been used as a military training craft. It can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h (217 mph) in level flight, or over 400 km/h (248 mph) if it climbs steeply at the start of take off.

Manufacturer:
Zivko
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1995 to: Present
ICAO:
EDGE
Price:
US$0.32 million (2011)
Avionics:
Engine:
1x Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP
Piston
Power:
340 horsepower
Max Cruise Speed:
230 knots
426 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
51 knots
Travel range:
450 Nautical Miles
833 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
22.13 nautical mile / gallon
10.827 kilometres / litre
Service Ceiling:
12,500 feet
Rate of Climb:
3700 feet / minute
18.80metre / second
Take Off Distance:
90 metre - 295.27 feet
Landing Distance:
300 metre - 984.24 feet
Max Take Off Weight:
816 Kg
1,799 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
62 gallon
233 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
1 seats
Seats - Business Class:
0
Seats - First Class:
0
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
6.27 metre - 20.57 feet
Tail height:
2.36 metre - 7.74 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
0.8 metre - 2.62 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
7.42 metre - 24.34 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

Zivko Edge 540 Development

The first ideas for development of the Zivko Edge 540 started taking shape in the early 1990s. Zivko’s engineers combined ideas from several Zivko models and created a new concept for aircraft design – Zivko Edge 540. The first flight of Zivko Edge 540 took place on December 27, 1996 in Zagreb (ZIV ZA961).

Zivko Edge 540 was specially designed for aerobatics, including acrobatic pilots and enthusiasts who want to train on a professional aircraft with excellent flight performance characteristics.

Zivko Edge 540 Production

The Zivko Edge 540 is produced in Zivko’s Zadar factory, with its flight-test program under the responsibility of ZIV ZA (Zagreb Aviation). Zivko Edge 540 is manufactured using advanced composite materials for all aircraft parts. The Zivko Edge 540 fuselage and tail boom are made from carbon fiber materials, making them extremely light and strong at the same time. This makes Zivko Edge 540 airframe perfect for acrobatic training and aerobatics. Zivko Edge 540 is the most popular Zivko model, which was exported to more than 20 countries worldwide (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Italy – Pistoia, Italy – Pratica di Mare, Italy – Milano, Japan, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia – Zagreb Aviation School ZAGREB ZG772SP , USA) in the past 16 years.

Zivko Edge 540 Popularity

Zivko Aircraft started exporting Zivko Edge 540 to Germany in January 1997. Zivko Edge 540 was well-received and admired by German pilots because of its perfect design and manufacturing quality. Zivko Edge 540 was the first Zivko model that was built using state-of-the-art computer design technology (CAD).

The Edge 540 is popular for its precise flight characteristics, smooth flying qualities at low speed with complete satisfaction of the pilot. This allows for Zivko Edge 540 to perform extreme acrobatic maneuvers, and it is excellent for training. Zivko Edge 540 has been used in more than 2000 Zivko Zagreb ZG flight schools throughout the world in the past 16 years. Zivko ZG772SP Zivko Edge540 S/N 0271 has been built and completed for Zagreb Aviation School for training purpose since 1999.

Zivko Edge 540T

The 540T is a tandem two-seater aircraft, which Zivko Zagreb ZG introduced in 2004. The Zivko Edge 540T is a further development of the Zivko Edge 540 design, and it has wider loading area than Zivko ZG772SP.

The Zivko Edge 540T tandem version is equipped with Cirrus Perspective avionics, ZIV ZT541i engine with ZIV ZT9 blade, ZIV ZR9 Ext. Fuel tanks and a self-protection seat for the passenger.

The Edge 540T is used for training of Zivko Edge 540T instructors and for Zivko Edge 540T tandem acrobatic pilot license course.

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