Aero L-39

The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfin. It was later updated to the L-59, and is still produced in an evolved state as the L-159. More than 2,800 L-39s are in service with over 30 air forces worldwide, filling the roles of basic and advanced pilot training, making it the most widely-used jet trainer in the world.

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 from 1971 onward. The L-59, a minor update to the design, remained in production until 1999.

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 jet, and their popularity has led to a purely L-39 'Jet Unlimited' class at the Reno Air Races.

Variants

  • L-39C - standard production version
  • L-39V - single-seat target tug
  • L-39ZO - light attack variant
    • L-39ZA - L-39ZO with improved avionics
      • L-39Z/ART - Thai version with Elbit avionics

Users

Specifications (L-39C)

General Characteristics

  • Crew: two, 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: 3,200 kg (7,056 lb)
  • Loaded: kg ( lb)
  • Maximum takeoff: 4,535 kg (10,000 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1x Progress AI-25TL, 16.9 kN (3,800 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 750 km/h (409 mph)
  • Range: 1,350 km (563 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 11,000 m (37,720 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 1,260 m/min (2,755 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
  • Thrust-to-weight:

Armament

  • up to 1,290 kg (2,840 lb) of stores on four hardpoints, including AAMs (K-13), 7.62 machine-gun pods, free-fall bombs, cluster bombs, rocket launchers, drop tanks.

External links

Aero Vodochody Product Page

Related content

Related development: Aero L-59 Albatros Comparable Aircraft: Aermacchi MB-339 - BAe Hawk - CASA 101 - Dassault Dornier Alpha Jet Designation sequence: L-29 - L-39 - L-59

 

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