What is Aero L-39 Albatros ?

One of the replacements for the L-39 Albatros was the Aero L-159 Alca, a modernised version of the L-39.[16] Originally, Aero Vodochody had intended to develop the L-159 in partnership with Elbit, but the Czech Ministry of Defense instead selected Rockwell Collins to partner on the program.

The limited success of the L-159 led Aero to announce at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow that it was developing an upgraded version of the L-39, designated L-39NG, to compete with the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and British Aerospace Hawk.

The L-39NG replaces the AI-25 turbofan with a Williams FJ44 engine; the airframe is modified, the wingtip fuel tanks being eliminated, and a new suite of avionics will be provided. First flight of the L-39NG was in September 2015, with deliveries starting in 2020.

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.

It could be readily flown from austere airstrips such as frozen lakebeds, enabled through the rugged design of the landing 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 before to successfully control.

As a training platform, the L-39 itself comprised part of a comprehensive system which also used flight simulators and mobile ground test equipment.

The low-set, straight wing has a double-taper planform, 2½-deg dihedral from the roots, a relatively low aspect ratio, and 100 litres (26 US gal; 22 imp gal) fuel tanks permanently attached to the wingtips.

The trailing edge has double-slotted trailing edge flaps inboard of mass-balanced ailerons; the flaps are separated from the ailerons by small wing fences.

The L-39 Albatros is a two seat, single engine aircraft designed and manufactured by Aero Vodochody for the Czechoslovakian Air Force. It was the first airplane to be powered by turbofan engines and was later upgraded to the L-59 Super Albatros.

An automatic trimming 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.

Algeria awarded a contract to Aero Vodochody in June 2010 to supply L-39 aircraft. Another contract was signed with Yemen in February 1999 to deliver 12 L-39C jet trainers.

L-39C is an advanced version fitted with two pylons under each wing and can be used for standard training missions.

L-39ZO is a weapon trainer aircraft fitted with four pylons which can accommodate 1,150kg of payload. This variant completed its maiden flight in June 1975 and entered service with Iraq in 1977.

L-39ZA is an armed variant based on the L-39ZO. It is fitted with a 23mm Gsh-23L twin barrelled cannon and K-13 or R-60 air-to-air missiles.

L-39MS is an extended version of the L-39 jet trainer. It is fitted with a reinforced fuselage, a longer nose, a tandem seat cockpit and a Lotarev DV-2 engine.

Jan Vicek undertook the design work for the L-39 in 1966. The aircraft is designed to execute basic and advanced pilot training, operational training, border patrol, target simulation and light combat attack missions.

It is designed to incorporate five main rubber bag fuel tanks behind the cockpit. Each fuel tank can accommodate 1,055l of fuel.

Although after the 1989 Velvet Revolution in then Czechoslovakia, the press has written a lot about "failed socialist projects," the country's Soviet-era aircraft Aero L-29 Delfin and L-39 Albatros still remain nothing short of legends.

Two more fuel tanks having capacity of 100l each have been installed on the non-jettisonable wingtips. The jet trainer is additionally fitted with two 350l drop tanks on the in-board underwing pylons thereby increasing the overall fuel capacity to 1,955l.

Robert Theiner, an engineer and the head of the Institute of Aerospace Engineering of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, explained why the country's aerospace industry has since failed to modify the wonder-planes or develop something equally groundbreaking.

The development of the L-39 Albatros began in the 1960s. The maiden flight of the aircraft was completed in November 1968.

The long pointed nose fitted at the front cockpit of the L-39 features electronic equipment and an on-board oxygen generating system. The aircraft is fitted with a smoke generation system, an escape system, tri-cycle type landing gear, anti-collision lights and landing lights.

To illustrate his point, the academic recalled how the Czech Republic tried to sell its famous L-39 to Australia. The plane's technical characteristics and price fully met the demands of the customer.

However, the L-39's major competitor, the British Aerospace Hawk 200 came out on top after the British government exerted pressure on Canberra, Theiner emphasized.

The L-39 features a pressurised cockpit fitted with two Czech VS-1-BRI rocket-aided ejection seats in which the rear seat is slightly elevated.