Czechs will resume production of training aircraft L-39

Czech company Aero Vodochody announced its intention to resume production of training aircraft L-39 Albatros, used for pilot training about 40 countries around the world. According to Jane`s, the decision to resume production of training aircraft was made after studying the demand for aviation equipment in its class.

In particular, according to the Czech company, the demand for aircraft such as the L-39 is the part of the African, South-East Asia, Latin America and Middle East. States Air Force in these regions still using older versions of the L-39 for training of pilots. The advantages of its aircraft over competitors Czechs include low cost and simplicity of design jet Albatros. According to these parameters, they fit the Air Force of the emerging economies.

The exact timing of the resumption of the production of the L-39 Czech company has not yet named. According to Marek Dospivy, co-owner of the Czechoslovak Penta, which is owned Aero Vodochody, build training planes will start immediately after the signing of the first firm contract for the supply of L-39. Which country is considered to be the most likely buyer of the L-39 a new build, not specified.

First flight training aircraft L-39 took place in November 1968, and its serial production was carried out in 1971. Issue of Czech aircraft of this type was stopped in 1999. In total, were collected in 2868 the L-39. Czech two-seater is capable of speeds up to 980 kilometers per hour and to operate at a distance of 1.1 thousand kilometers. Maximum take-off weight of the L-39 is 4.7 tons.

In April 2014, the Ministry of Defence of Lithuania announced that over the next two years is going to buy a certain amount of training aircraft L-39ZA. Currently in service of the country has only one aircraft L-39, overhauled in 2007.