Aero L-39
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| Aero L-39 Albatros | |
|---|---|
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| L-39 at the Santa Rosa Airshow. | |
| Type | Military trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody |
| Maiden flight | 1968-11-04 |
| Status | 2,800 still in use in various air forces |
| Primary user | Warsaw Pact |
| Produced | 1970s-1999 |
| Unit cost | US$200,000-300,000 |
The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia to meet requirements for a "C-39" (C for Cvičný - trainer) during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. It was the first of the second-generation jet trainers, and the very first turbofan-powered trainer produced, and was later updated as the L-59 Super Albatros and as the L-139. The design is still produced in an evolved state as the L-159 ALCA, while more than 2,800 L-39s still serve with over 30 air forces around the world. The Albatros is versatile, seeing duty in light attack missions as well as basic and advanced pilot training, and is the most widely-used jet trainer in the world.
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[edit] Development
The L-39 first flew on November 4, 1968, and was employed as the basic jet trainer for the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and the rest of the Warsaw Pact nations (with the exception of Poland, who stuck with their first-generation TS-11 Iskra jet) from 1971 onward. The L-59, originally designated the L-39MS, a update to the design, reengined with the DV-2 turbofan, remained in production until 1999.
[edit] Operational history
While newer versions are now replacing older L-39s in service, thousands remain in active service as trainers, and many are finding new homes with private owners all over the world. This is particularly evident in the United States, where their $200,000-$300,000 price puts them in range of moderately wealthy pilots looking for a fast, agile personal jet. Their popularity has led to a purely L-39 'Jet Unlimited' class at the Reno Air Races. As of mid-March 2006, there are 257 L-39s in the US Federal Aviation register.
[edit] Trivia
- Two L-39ZOs were featured in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, while one made an appearance in Lord of War. Just recently, five L-39s were in a commercial for Cingular Wireless, advertising the company's brand transition to AT&T.
- An L-39 crashed at the Tico Warbird air show on March 16, 2007, at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida, killing the pilot. [1] The pilot was identified as attorney Eilon Krugman-Kadi, 58, of Gainesville, FL, a former Israeli fighter pilot.[2] The L-39 had been built for the Ukrainian air force in 1980, and was demilitiarized in 1999. [3]
[edit] Variants
- L-39X-02 - X11 - prototypes
- L-39C - (C for Cvičná - training) standard production version
- L-39V - (V for Vlečná - tug) single-seat for target tug KT-04
- L-39ZO - (Z for Zbraně - weapons) A four pylon light attack variant with an strengthened wing structure
- L-39ZA - A significant upgrade of the L-39ZO, employing sturdier landing gear, a higher payload and notably the GSh-23L - 23 millimeter twin barrelled cannon attached in a conformal pod under the pilots' compartment, having a 150 round magazine within the airframe.
- L-39Z/ART - Thai version with Elbit avionics
- L-39MS - original Czechoslovak Air Force name of L-59
- L-139 - updated L-39C with Western avionics and Garrett TFE731-4 engine.[1] First flown 1993. Prototype only.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military Operators
Abkhazia
Afghanistan
Algeria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Cuba
Czech Republic
Czechoslovakia
East Germany
Egypt
Ethiopia
Hungary
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Libya
Lithuania
Nigeria
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
Soviet Union
Syria
Thailand
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
[edit] Civil operators
Hundreds of L-39s are finding new homes with private owners all over the world, especially in the United States.
[edit] Specifications (L-39C)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2: student and instructor
- Length: 12.13 m (39 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 9.46 m (31 ft 0 in)
- Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 18.8 m² (202 ft²)
- Empty weight: 3,459 kg (7,625 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Progress/Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan, 16.9 kN (3,800 lbf)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: Mach 0.80
- Maximum speed: 750 km/h (400 knots, 470 mph) at 4,000 m (16,000 ft)
- Range: 1,000 km (540 nm, 620 mi)
- Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
- Rate of climb: 22 m/s (4,330 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 250.0 kg/m² (51.23 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.37
- Take-off roll: 530 m (1,700 ft)
- Landing roll: 600 m (2,000 ft)
Armament
- Up to 1,290 kg (2,840 lb) of stores on four external hardpoints, including:
- AAMs (K-13) missiles
- 7.62 mm machine-gun pods
- free-fall and cluster bombs
- rocket launchers
- drop tanks
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Breitling jet team - civilian display team.
- Aero Vodochody Product Page
- L-39 Training System - All about L-39 airplane, KT-04 drone, TL-39 trenager and NKTL-29/39 eject seat trenager
- L-39 Enthusiasts - L-39 Enthusiasts
- Pride Aircraft - L-39 Restorations and training
- Warbird Alley L-39 Page
- Hoppers - L-39 Demonstration Team
- Biele Albatrosy - Official Slovak Air Force L-39 Display Team
[edit] Related content
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
Timeline of aviation
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