Aero L-39 Albatros

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.

Contents

* 1 Design and development
* 2 Operational history
* 3 Variants
* 4 Operators
* 5 Incidents
* 6 Specifications (L-39C)
* 7 Popular culture
* 8 References
* 9 External links
* 10 See also

Design and development

The L-39 first flew on 4 November, 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.

Operational history
Civil L-39 in fictional Soviet 84th Light Strike Squadron markings
Civil L-39 in fictional Soviet 84th Light Strike Squadron markings
Royal Thai Air Force L-39ZA/ART in flight during SAREX 2007 at Wing41 Chiang Mai
Royal Thai Air Force L-39ZA/ART in flight during SAREX 2007 at Wing41 Chiang Mai
Estonian L-39 in flight
Estonian L-39 in flight

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.

Variants

L-39X-02 - X11
Ten prototypes.
L-39C (C for Cvičná - training)
Standard production version.
L-39V (V for Vlečná - tug)
Single-seat version for target tug KT-04, eight built.
L-39ZO (Z for Zbraně - weapons)
A four pylon light attack variant with a strengthened wing structure.
L-39ZA
Significantly upgraded 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
Prototype of the updated L-39C with Western avionics and Garrett TFE731-4 engine.[1] First flown 1993.