Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros”
Czechoslovak, Two-seat Basic and Advanced Jet Trainer


Archive Photos 1,2


1987 Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” (N139JT, s/n 734156) on display (6/25/2000) at the 2000 Aviation Expo, Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California (John Shupek photos) 1

1979 Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” (N39DF, s/n 931320) on display (4/8/2000) at the 2000 NAS Point Mugu, California (John Shupek photos) 1

1979 Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” (N239BJ, s/n 931510) on display (c.1987) at the Mojave Airport, Mojave, California (John Shupek photos) 1

1979 Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” (N4679B, s/n 931332) on display (9/29/2003) at the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, Portage, Michigan (John Shupek photos) 1

1976 Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” (NX143XX, s/n 630648) photographed on (1/5/2012) at the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (Photos copyright © 2012 Lt. Col. Dr. Marc Matthews, M.D., USAF (retired)) 2

1980 Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” (NX151XX, s/n 031616) photographed on (1/5/2012) at the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (Photos by Lt. Col. Dr. Marc Matthews, M.D., USAF (retired)) 2

Aero L-39C “Albatros” 3


The Aero Vodochody L-39C “Albatros” basic and advanced jet trainer was developed in the Aero works at Vodochody by a team led by the chief designer, Dipl Ing Jan Vlcek, working in close cooperation with the USSR. Two prototype airframes were built initially, of which the first was used for structural testing. The first flight, on 4 November 1968, was made by the second aircraft. By the end of 1970, five flying prototypes and two for ground testing had been completed. Slightly larger and longer intake trunks were fitted after preliminary flight tests.

The L-39 “Albatros” forms part of a comprehensive training system which includes a specially designed pilot training flight simulator (TL-39), a pilot ejection ground training simulator (NK-TL-29/39), and vehicle-mounted mobile test equipment (AKC-KL-39). The aircraft is capable of operation from grass strips (with a bearing strength of 6 kg/cm2; 85 psi) up to 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) T-O weight, or from unprepared runways.

By May 1977, when the Aero L-39 “Albatros” made its first appearance in the West, at the Paris Air Show, some 400-500 were in service with several air forces. Production had totaled almost 1,000 by the early 1981. The Aero L-39 Albatross is used in Czechoslovakia for all pilot training, including that of helicopter pilots. On average, pupils solo after approximately 12 hours' dual instruction on the Aero L-39 “Albatros”.

Official Czechoslovak designations for the different Aero L-39 versions are as follows:

Aero L-39C Albatros Specifications 3


The following description applies to the production L-39C trainer version, except where indicated:

Type

Wings

Fuselage

Tail Unit

Landing Gear

Power Plant

Accommodation

Systems

Standard Electronics Include

Dimensions

Areas

Weights and Loadings

Performance
Configuration 'A' = 'Clean' with AUW of 10,075 lbs (4,570 kg) with tip-tanks empty
Configuration 'C' = AUW of 9,480 lbs (4,300 kg)

Typical Mission Performance
Configuration 'A' = 'Clean' with AUW of 10,075 lbs (4,570 kg) with tip-tanks empty

References


  1. Shupek, John. Photos copyright © 1987, 2000, 2003 Skytamer Images. All Rights Reserved
  2. Photos: Lt. Col. Dr. Marc Matthews, M.D., USAF (retired) copyright © 1/5/2012
  3. Taylor, John W.R., Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1981-82. Jane's Yearbooks, ISBN 0 531-03975-7, 1981


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