| L-39 Albatros | |
|---|---|
.jpg) ACzech Air Force L-39 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Militarytrainer aircraft Lightground-attack aircraft |
| National origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody |
| Designer | |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Soviet Air Force (historical) |
| Number built | 2,900[2] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1971–1996[2] 2023–2024 (L-39 Skyfox)[3] |
| Introduction date | 28 March 1972 with theCzechoslovak Air Force[4] |
| First flight | 4 November 1968 |
| Developed from | Aero L-29 Delfín |
| Developed into | Aero L-59 Super Albatros Aero L-159 Alca Aero L-39 Skyfox |
TheAero L-39 Albatros is a high-performancejet trainer designed and produced byAero Vodochody in theCzech Republic. In addition to performing basic and advanced pilot training, it has also flown combat missions in alight-attack role. Despite its manufacturing origin in theWarsaw Pact, the L-39 never received aNATO reporting name.
The L-39 Albatros was designed during the 1960s as a successor to theAero L-29 Delfín, an earlyjet-powered principal training aircraft. Performing itsmaiden flight on 4 November 1968, it became the first trainer aircraft in the world to be equipped with aturbofan powerplant. Quantity production of the L-39 Albatros proceeded in 1971; one year later, it was formally recognized by the majority of theWarsaw Pact countries as their preferred primary trainer. Accordingly, thousands of L39s would be produced for various military customers in Eastern Europe. Additionally, it was exported to a range of countries across the world both as a trainer and a light-attack aircraft. Since the 1990s, it has also become popular among civilian operators. By the end of the century, in excess of 2,800 L-39s had served with over 30 air forces.
Several derivatives of the L-39 Albatros were developed. During the 1980s, Aero Vodochody used it as the basis for theL-59 Super Albatros, an enlarged and updated model. Furthermore, the L-39 lineage would be extended to the L-139, a prototype L-39 fitted with a Western-sourcedGarrett TFE731 engine. A combat-oriented development of the aircraft, designated as theL-159 ALCA, entered production in 1997, and has since been procured by a range of export customers. Production of the original L-39 came to an end during the mid-1990s, orders having declined substantially following the end of theCold War. At theFarnborough Airshow in July 2014, Aero Vodochody announced the launch of theL-39NG, an upgraded and modernised version of the L-39; this programme is set to produce new-build aircraft alongside the extensive rebuilding of existing aircraft. In 2023, production of the L-39NG resumed under the nameSkyfox, with 34 aircraft on order.[3]
In 1964, the Czechoslovak aircraft manufacturerAero Vodochody embarked on a new design project to meet the specified requirements for a "C-39" (C forcvičný – trainer), setting up a design team under the leadership ofJan Vlček [cs]. This aircraft was to serve as a replacement for theAero L-29 Delfín, an early jet-powered trainer, as a principal training aircraft.[5][6] Vlcek envisioned the type, a twin-seat single-engine aircraft, being adopted as the primary trainer throughout theWarsaw Pact nations.[1]
On 4 November 1969, the L-39 (under the designation "Prototype X-02" – the second airframe to be built) conducted itsmaiden flight, for which it was piloted byRudolf Duchoň, the factory'stest pilot.[7][8] Serial production of the initial model of the L-39, designatedL-39C, commenced in 1971. During 1972, the L-39 Albatros was formally recognized by the majority of the countries comprising the Warsaw Pact as their preferred primary trainer, after which point, sizable orders from military customers throughout the bloc proceeded, many of which were from theSoviet Air Forces.[1][2] In 1974, the first L-39 trainer entered service with the Czechoslovak Air Force.[2]
Several specialised variants of the base L-39 design were quickly introduced. In 1972, a purpose-builttarget tug variant, the L-39V, conducted its initial flight.[2] During 1975, the first L-39ZO training/light combat model, which was equipped with four underwinghardpoints as well as a strengthened wing and modified landing gear, performed its first flight.[2] In 1977, the first L-39ZA light combat variant, which was fitted with a singleGryazev-Shipunov GSh-23cannon mounted underneath the fuselage in addition to the four hardpoints and strengthening of the L-39ZO, made its maiden flight.[2][9][10]
According to aerospace publicationFlight International, roughly 200 L-39s were being sold each year in the jet trainer market during the late 1980s.[11] According to theStockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 1993, the total export orders gained for the L-39 represented 80 per cent of the value of all Czech military product export sales made for that year.[12] During the 1990s, shortly following thedissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of theCold War, Aero Vodochody decided to develop versions of the Albatros equipped with Western-sourced avionics, engines, and weapon systems.[11] Around the same time, Aero Vodochody formed an active partnership withElbit Systems ofIsrael, under which a number of L-39s were delivered to Elbit to be equipped with modern electronics and onboard systems before being re-exported to end users such as theRoyal Thai Air Force.[13][14][15]
Sales of the L-39 declined during the 1990s. This downturn has been attributed to the loss of the captive Warsaw Pact trainer market, to which a substantial proportion of the total aircraft manufactured had been historically sold; allegations about Czechoslovak banks being unable to finance the defense industry and inaction on the part of the Czechoslovak government; and concerns over the quality of manufacturing standards.[11] In 1996, production of the L-39 came to an end.[2] Since the end of production, Aero Vodochody has developed several improved variants of the L-39 to take its place, and has continued extensive support and overhaul operations for existing L-39 customers.[16]
One of the replacements for the L-39 Albatros was theAero L-159 Alca, a modernised version of the L-39.[17] Originally, Aero Vodochody had intended to develop the L-159 in partnership with Elbit, but the Czech Ministry of Defense instead selectedRockwell Collins to partner on the program.[18] The limited success of the L-159 led Aero to announce at the 2014Farnborough Airshow that it was developing an upgraded version of the L-39, designated L-39NG (Skyfox), to compete with theAlenia Aermacchi M-346 andBritish Aerospace Hawk. The L-39 Skyfox replaces the AI-25 turbofan with aWilliams FJ44 engine; the airframe is modified, the wingtip fuel tanks being eliminated, and a new suite of avionics will be provided. The first flight of theL-39 Skyfox was in December 2018, and final military type certification was granted by the Czech Military Aviation Authority in 2022.[19][20] The first production L-39NG is expected to fly by the end of 2022.[21]
The L-39 Albatros was designed to be a cost-effective jet-powered trainer aircraft, which is also capable of performing ground attack missions. For operational flexibility, simplicity, and affordability, the majority of onboard systems have been simplified to avoid incurring high levels of maintenance, as well as to minimize damage caused by mishandling when flown by inexperienced air crew.[22] It could be readily flown from austere airstrips such as frozen lakebeds, enabled through the rugged design of thelanding gear and favourable low landing speeds. The aircraft's flying qualities are reportedly simple, which is made easier by way of a rapid throttle response, making it easier for students who had never previously flown a jet aircraft before to successfully control.[23] As a training platform, the L-39 itself comprised part of a comprehensive system that also usedflight simulators and mobile ground test equipment.[8]
The low-set,straight wing has a double-taper planform, 2½-degdihedral from the roots, a relatively lowaspect ratio, and 100 litres (26 US gal; 22 imp gal)fuel tanks permanently attached to thewingtips. Thetrailing edge has double-slotted trailing edgeflaps inboard of mass-balancedailerons; the flaps are separated from the ailerons by small wing fences.[24] An automatictrimming system was present, the flaps and the trim system being connected in order to counteract the potentially large pitch changes that would otherwise be generated by vigorous movements of the flaps.[25] The tall, sweptvertical tail has an insetrudder. Variable-incidencehorizontal stabilizers with inset elevators are mounted at the base of the rudder and over the exhaust nozzle.[24] Side-by-sideairbrakes are located under thefuselage ahead of the wing'sleading edge. The flaps, landing gear, wheel brakes and air brakes are powered by ahydraulic system. Controls are pushrod-actuated and have electrically powered servo tabs on the ailerons and rudder. Operationalg-force limits at 4,200 kilograms (9,300 lb) are +8/-4 g.[24]
A long, pointed nose leads back to the tandem cockpit, in which the student and instructor sit on Czech-built VS-1ejection seats under individual canopies, which are opened manually and are hinged on the right.[25] The rear seat, typically used by the instructor, is elevated slightly to readily enable observation and guidance of the student's actions in the forward position.[24][26] The design of the cockpit, panel layout and many of its fittings resemble or are identical in function to those of other commonly used Soviet aircraft; for example, the procedure for deploying the ejection seat is exactly the same as for theMikoyan MiG-29.[27] The cockpit is partially pressurized, requiring the air crew to wearoxygen masks when flying in excess of 23,000 feet.[28] Agyro gunsight for weapon-aiming purposes is typically present in the forward position only.[29]
A singleturbofan engine, anIvchenko AI-25TL (made in theSoviet Union) is positioned in the rear fuselage, fed through shoulder-mounted, semi-circular air intakes (fitted withsplitter plates) just behind the cockpit and the tailpipe below the horizontal tailplane. The engine has atime between overhaul (TBO) of 1,000 flight hours; it is allegedly cheaper than the majority of turbine engines to overhaul.[30] Five rubber bag fuel tanks are located in the fuselage behind the cockpit. Several heavy radio units are typically installed in an aft avionics bay; these are often removed on civilian-operated aircraft and replaced with a 70-gallon fuel tank. Additional fuel tanks can be fitted in the rear cockpit position and externally underneath the wings; the tip-tanks can also be expanded for a greater fuel capacity.[28]
The aircraft is fitted with a hydraulically actuated retractablenosewheel undercarriage that is designed to allow operation from grass airfields. The main landing gear legs retract inward into wing bays while the nose gear retracts forward.[24] The basic L-39C trainer has provision for two underwing pylons for drop tanks or practice weapons, but these are not usually fitted.[31] It can be armed with a pair ofK-13 missiles to provide a basicair defense capability.[29] Light-attack variants have four underwing hardpoints for ground attack stores, while the ZA variant also has an underfuselagegun pod.[32] MockUB-16 rocket pods can also be installed for visual appearance only.[26]
During theWar in Abkhazia (1992–1993), Abkhaz separatist forces received several L-39s from Russia and Chechnya, which were used in combat against Georgian forces. On 10 January 1993, an Abkhaz L-39 was shot down by a RussianSA-11 Buk during a friendly-fire incident.[33] The pilot, Oleg Chanba, who was commander of the Abkhaz separatist air force, was killed during the incident.[33] On 1 April 1993, during the attack on civilian targets inSokhumi, Georgian forces managed to damage an L-39, which fell into the sea.[33]
In the spring of 2008, a number ofGeorgian droneswere shot down by Abkhazian separatist forces over theAbkhazia region. The Abkhazian separatist forces claimed that one of its missile-equipped L-39s had shot down a GeorgianHermes 450 unmanned reconnaissance drone.[34] Footage released later by Georgian authorities clearly shows a drone being brought down by a heat-seeking missile fired from aMiG-29. A UN investigation also concluded that the footage was authentic and that the drone was shot down by a Russian MiG-29 using aVympel R-73 heat seeking missile.[35]
TheTaliban Air Force had managed to obtain around five L-39C aircraft from the remnants of the formerDemocratic Republic of AfghanistanAir Force; with foreign technical support and pilots, these were placed into combat operations during the later stages of the1996–2001 phase of the Afghan civil war against theNorthern Alliance. In early 2001, only two of these reportedly remained operational.[36][37] Following theUnited States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, a number of L-39s were inducted into theAfghan Air Force.[38][39]
A number of L-39s, along with older L-29s, were used extensively by Azeri forces to perform ground attack missions during theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh War in the 1980s and early 1990s. A number of these were reportedly shot down by air defenses employed by theNagorno-Karabakh Defense Army.[40] In September 2015, Aero Vodochody sought a large order for the latest model of the L-39 to Azerbaijan; by this point, Azerbaijan had a total of 24 airworthy L-39s remaining in service.[41]
The newly de facto independentChechen Republic of Ichkeria found itself with dozens of L-39s (as well as several L-29s, three MiG-17s, two MiG-15UTIs, helicopters and other transport and civilian aircraft) left atKhankala and Kalinovskaya airbases by theSoviet Air Force in 1992.[42] Most of these, however, were reportedly abandoned or not in flyable condition, but during the August–November 1994 conflict between nationalist and pro-Russian forces L-39s were deployed and were possibly one of the few air attack (and possibly reconnaissance) elements onDzhokar Dudayev's forces. At least one was reported as shot down nearGoragorsk on October 4 by aStrela-2 MANPADS fired byDoku Zavgayev's pro-Russian militia. The pilot, Col. Ali Musayev and the co-pilot Dedal Dadayev were killed.[43][44]
One of the main reasons that prompted the firstSu-25 air raids that destroyed the Chechen air force on the ground, and started theRussian intervention, was preparations being made by Dudayev's air force, which had been spotted by reconnaissanceSukhoi Su-24MRs. There were fears that these aircraft could slow or deter the Russian air and ground campaign, as well as the capability of several aircraft to conductkamikaze attacks on Russian nuclear power plants (specifically via means of the ejection seat in most aircraft, notably the L-39, by filling them with explosives to act as improvised cruise missiles).[44]
Iraq became the first export customer for the L-39 Albatros.[8] By mid 1970, theIraqi Air Force had procured a considerable number of L-39 trainers, having transferred the bulk of their training activities onto the Czechoslovak aircraft.[45] During the American-ledinvasion of Iraq in 2003, on 14 April 2003, a pair ofUnited States NavyMcDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets attacked several L-29 and L-39 aircraft on the ground at an airfield near the city ofTikrit; these had been believed to have been modified to perform as delivery platforms for weapons.[46]
Libya acquired some 180 L-39ZOs around 1978, which served atSabha andOkba Ben Nafi flying schools along with Yugoslav-madeG-2 Galeb for advanced jet training and Italian-madeSF.260s (for primary training).[47]
The L-39s were deployed during theChadian-Libyan conflict, mainly to Ouadi Doum air base. During the final Chadian offensive in March 1987, the Chadians captured Ouadi Doum along with several aircraft (11 L-39s included) and Soviet SAM systems and tanks. A Chadian report to theUN, reported the aforementioned capture on 11 L-39s and the destruction (or downing) of at least four of them.[48]
In the midst of that conflict, on 21 April 1983, three LARAFIlyushin Il-76TDs and oneLockheed C-130 Hercules landed atManaus Airport,Brazil after one of the Il-76s developed technical problems while crossing theAtlantic Ocean. The aircraft were then searched by the Brazilian authorities: instead of medical supplies – as quoted in the transport documentation – the crate of the first of 17 L-39s bound forNicaragua together with arms and parachutes, tosupport the country's war against US-backedContras, were found. The cargo was impounded for some time before being returned to Libya, while the transports were permitted to return to their country.[49][50] During the 1990s and 2000s, Libya made multiple attempts to get components and services for its air force in spite of anembargo placed upon the country byUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 748; by 2001, only half of Libya's L-39s were serviceable as a consequence.[51]
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding missing information.(April 2016) |
Following thedissolution of the Soviet Union and the formation of theRussian Air Force in 1991, the newly formed service found itself with hundreds of L-39 aircraft, the majority of which were surplus to their training requirements. According to author Stephan Wilkinson, by 2005, Russia was seeking to potentially sell up to 800 of their L-39s, which were receiving only a basic level of maintenance once per month while their fate was being decided.[52] Starting in the early 1990s, the Russian Air Force has pursued the development of a domestically built jet trainer, for which theYakovlev Yak-130 was selected; the Yak-130 shall eventually replace the L-39 in Russian service within its operational roles.[53][54]
TheSyrian Arab Air Force has operated a number of armed L-39ZA light attack variants.[55] Since the early stages of theSyrian civil war, the Syrian Air Force's L-39 aircraft have been routinely deployed incounter-insurgency operations against various rebel ground forces, a number of these aircraft have also been shot down by ground fire. They were first used operationally during theBattle of Aleppo, launching several strikes upon rebel-held positions.[56][57][58] It has been claimed the L-39 was the first fixed-wing aircraft to be employed against the rebels.[59]
In February 2013, insurgents successfully captured a number of intact L-39s, along with their support equipment, after raiding and later taking over the Al-Jarrah airbase.[60][61] In late 2013, reports emerged of claims by Islamist fighters that they had successfully flown two of the captured L-39s.[62][63] In October 2014, the Syrian Government claimed that at least two rebel-held L-39s had been airworthy and had recently been destroyed by Syrian Air Force aircraft.[64]
According toReuters, by 2014, the L-39 had allegedly become one of the favoured platforms of the Syrian Air Force for performing ground attack missions due to its slower speed and higher agility over other aircraft in its inventory. In December 2015, following the securing of the Kweiris airbase by government forces, the resumption of ground-attack missions by L-39s in the vicinity ofAleppo commenced shortly thereafter.[59]
On 26 December 2017, a Syrian L-39 was shot down near Hama airport.[65][66]
On 3 March 2020, a Syrian Arab Army Air Force L-39 was shot down by aTurkish Air ForceF-16 over Idlib province. Both Syrian and Turkish forces confirmed the downing.[67]
During theNorthwestern Syria offensive (2024), some L-39s were captured bySyrian opposition forces after thecapture of Aleppo.[68][69]
On 24 February 2022, a Ukrainian L-39 from the39th Tactical Aviation Brigade (Ukraine) piloted by Dmytro Kolomiyets was shot down by a Russian aircraft inKhmelnytskyi during the opening hours of theRussian invasion of Ukraine. On 9 August 2022, Dmytro Kolomiyets was posthumously awarded with theOrder of the Gold Star.[70][71]
On 25 August 2023, two Ukrainian L-39s collided during a combat mission overZhytomyr, killing three pilots. Among those killed was combat pilotAndrii Pilshchykov, an Order of Courage recipient more commonly known by his callsign "Juice", who had become famous in the west for his articulate appeals early in the war for allies to supplyF-16s to Ukraine.[72]
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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 privatewarbird owners all over the world. It has been claimed that the L-39's desirability stems from it being "the only available second-generation jet trainer".[26] This trend 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.[73] Their popularity led to a purely L-39 Jet class being introduced at theReno Air Races in 2002, though it has since been expanded to include other, similar aircraft.[74][75][76]
In September 2012, there were 255 L-39s registered with the U.S.Federal Aviation Administration and four registered withTransport Canada.[77][78] Several display teams use the L-39 such as thePatriots Jet Team (6 L-39s), theBreitling Jet Team (7 L-39s) and the Black Diamond Jet Team (5 L-39s).[79][80] There are also several L-39s that have been made available for private jet rides by various operators in Australia,Czech Republic,France,Germany,Spain and the US.[81][82][83] These L-39s are mostly in private hands, but some also belong to government agencies, such as those inVyazma,Russia.[84][85] In March 2018 there were five L-39s on the civilian register inNew Zealand. One registered as anL-39[86] and four others registered asL-39C.[87]
Since 2004, the Defence & MRO Division of Aero Vodochody has performed a general maintenance, repair and modernisation program of civil-operated L-39s, as well as performing the demilitarisation of ex-military aircraft.[85] Services offered to civil operators include life-extension programs, support for civil registration/certification, training of ground/flight crew, logistics and analysis, customization, routine inspection, condition-based maintenance support, and providing general expertise/consultancy work.[85]
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Skyleader markets a carbon-fibre ducted-fan powered variant called theUL-39 Albi. It was conceived by a group atCzech Technical University in Prague,[103] and first flown in the Czech Republic on 4 April 2016.[104][105]
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Afghanistan
Algeria[106]
Angola[106]
Armenia[106]
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh[106]
Belarus[106]
Bulgaria[107][106] 12 L-39ZA
Cambodia[106]
Central African Republic[108]
Cuba[106]
Czech Republic[106]
East Germany Withdrawn from use in 1990.[citation needed]
Egypt[106]
Equatorial Guinea[106]
Estonia[106]
Ethiopia[106]
France (TheBreitling Jet Team currently uses nine L-39s)
Georgia
Ghana
Hungary
Iraq
Kazakhstan[106]
Kyrgyzstan[106]
Libya[106]
Lithuania (potential future L-39 Skyfox customer)[106]
Latvia (TheBaltic Bees Jet Team currently uses six L-39s)
Mali[109]
Mozambique[106]
Netherlands (AEC Skyline currently uses five known L-39s)
Nigeria[106]
North Korea
Romania
Russia[106]
Slovakia[106]
South Sudan[106]
Tajikistan
Thailand[106] L-39ZA/ART (Westernized version, equipped with Israeli avionics[13])
Tunisia[106]
Turkmenistan[106]
Uganda[106]
Ukraine[106]
United States (ThePatriots Jet Team currently [when?] uses six L-39s; TheBlack Diamond Jet Team currently uses six L-39s)
Uzbekistan
Vietnam[106]
Yemen
AbkhaziaAbkhazian Air Force[110][111]
Syria TheSyrian government of Al-Assad fell to rebels in late 2024, and the Syrian Arab Air Force was dismantled. It was re-established asSyrian Air Force, but the revolution, and the Israeli air strikes that followed it, wrecked havoc in the inventory of the Air Force. In late 2025, the World Air Forces publication byFlightGlobal, which tracks the aircraft inventories of world's air forces and publishes its counts annually, removed all Syrian Air Force's aircraft from their World Air Forces 2026 report. It is thus questionable if the Syrian Air Force has any flying aircraft in their inventory, and in particular, any L-39, as of December 2025.[111]
Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89,[24]Aero Vodochody[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 In-cockpit footage of an L-39 taking off and performing aerobatics | |
| L-39 performing a solo display at the Wanaka 2012 airshow | |
| Excerpt from 1980s aerodynamics documentary |
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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