Albatros L-39 ZA
World Airpower Journal says the Albatros L-39 "is an aircraft so much better
than its price (or bald performance statistics) that it has often been evaluated
alongside more expensive trainer aircraft and not found wanting. Indeed, the
L-39 has become the most popular jet warbird in the United States, and
with good reason.
Combining excellent handling qualities, economical operation,
superior reliability, and go-fast good looks...
The Albatros is a dream
to fly!"
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Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros ~ Light Attack/Trainer Turbofan Jet (S/N 332641) Mfg: 1983
The Aero Vodochody L-39 ZA Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the 1960's to replace the L-29 Delfin. The Albatros was the first turbofan trainer ever produced, making it a vital part of aircraft history. More than 2,800 L-39's are still in service with over 30 air forces around the world. Highly versatile, the Albatros is seeing duty in light attack missions as well as basic and advanced pilot training. Even today, it is the most widely-used jet trainer in the world! |
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From concept (above) to reality (below)...
Albatros L-39ZA with NEW CUSTOM paint scheme: Russian ‘Splinter’ with
Czech Lo-viz markings.
This L-39 ZA Albatros is, by all estimates, the most favored jet warbird on the
market. Its sleek looks, reasonable operating costs, and ease of operation
explain much of the allure of this Czechoslovakian beauty. This L-39ZA is a
single-engine advanced trainer used by many of the world's air forces, and
as such it has many of the design features and handling characteristics as
the high-performance fighters.
The cockpits are fully pressurized. Each of its
tandem cockpits is equipped with enough flight controls, flight instruments,
engine gauges, and system status indicators to allow either pilot to safely
operate the airplane.
Albatros L-39ZA ~ The ultimate flying machine!
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Similar to the L-39C, the Albatros L-39ZA Aero Vodochody is quite unique for several reasons. It is the last of the electro-mechanical L-39's; the generation afterwards utilizes Czech computer technology. A significant enhancement over the L-39ZO, the ZA model employs sturdier landing gear, a higher payload and most notably the GsH-23L - 23 Milimeter twin barrelled cannon, which is suspended under the pilots compartment supporting 150 round magazine within the airframe (replaced with a dummy).
Additionally the airframe and wings are beefed up to carry additional armament, including four pylons -- in lieu of two on the C-model. The landing gear has larger tires and brakes to address the greater warload this aircraft would carry. Surprisingly, this only exacts a modest weight penalty of about 250 pounds. The four pylons feature the inner pylons plumbed for external fuel. Only the ZA model is certified for the larger 350-liter external tanks as well as the smaller 150-liter tanks.
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General characteristics:
Crew: 2: student and instructor
Length: 12.13 m (39 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 9.46 m (31 ft 0 in)
Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 18.8 m2 (202 ft2)
Empty weight: 3,459 kg (7,625 lb)
Warload: 2,425 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb)
Powerplant: 1x Progress AI25-TL turbofan, 16.9 kN (3,800 lbf)
Performance:
Never exceed speed: Mach 0.80
Maximum speed: 750 km/h (405 knots, 470 mph)
at 4,000 m (16,000 ft)
Range: 1,000 km (540 nm, 620 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
Rate of climb: 22 m/s (4,330 ft/min)
Wing loading: 250.0 kg/m2 (51.23 lb/ft2)
Thrust: 3,798 lbs
Take-off roll: 530 m (1,700 ft)
Landing roll: 600 m (2,000 ft)
Airframe: TTSN 1530 HOURS
Total Time Since Aerostar IRAN: 40
Engine: Overhauls 1
TSO: 550 HOURS
Saphire:
Starts Remaining: 1500
Fuel Cells: Overhauled at IRAN
Nose Gear Tire : Barrum 40 hours SNEW
Main Gear Tires: Barrum - New
Brakes: New- 40 Hours SNEW
Cockpits: Stock Original
New Russian Splinter Paint Scheme
Ejection Seats: Cold, but complete (can be reactivated)
Avionics:
Garmin GTX327 TXPDR with Sandia Encoder
UPSAT SL-30 COM
Skymap III GPS
New glass tip light lenses
Whelen Comet-Flash Strobes.
Two sets of drop tanks:
(2) 40 Gallon and
(2) 92 Gallon with storage rack
This L39's Individual History:
Having been operated by the Romanian Airforce since 1983, this Albatros L-39ZA
jet was purchased through Aerostar of Romania.
Aerostar was the state-owned
company that maintained Romanian MiG-21, MiG-29, Albatros L-39 and various
other military aircraft. After the wall fell, Aerostar went private and the
Romanian government released some of their Albatros L-39ZA's.
The now privately held Aerostar of Romania took this Albatros L-39ZA
through an IRAN for both airframe and engine. They then tested the aircraft,
disassembled and and shipped it to the US, where Aerostar mechanics reassembled
and tested the aircraft.
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Still in military service today!
Most of the existing Albatros L-39ZA's
are presently serving their adopted countries.
Thousands of Albatros L39's remain in active military service, while a few
are finding new homes with private owners like you. This is particularly
evident in the United States, where their price range puts them within reach
of pilots looking for a fast, agile personal jet. The popularity of this amazing aircraft has led
to a purely L-39 Jet Unlimited class at the Reno
Air Races.
As of mid-March 2006, there were 257 L-39's in the United States Federal Aviation
Register. |
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History Photos of This Albatross L39-ZA:
Test flight over Ploesti
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Aerostar of Romania ~ main floor of assembly plant
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The Romainian Aerostar team of specialists
in Phoenix, Arizona to reassemble this Albatros L-39 ZA
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Inspecting every detail of this L39's
complete restoration process.
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The Aero Vodochody L-39 has been produced in far greater numbers than any other contemporary jet trainer. The quality of this aircraft's flight characteristics makes it one of the best trainers in the contemporary world. It's simple design, ruggedness, and ability to operate in almost any climate makes it the perfect training aircraft used in the military colleges of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The Albatros is designed to operate from minor airfields with minimum conditions, and designed with systems for easy maintenance, simple pre-flight check, and excellent reliability. The turbofan engine has a low fuel consumption and low sensitivity to foreign object damage due to its high situated, wing-protected intakes. Its long service life provides the aircraft with good performance for training. The mean time between failure in flight is above 300 flight hours, with a 99.6% probability a one hour sortie will be completed successfully.
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I have maintained and operated this Albatros L-39ZA for over two years.
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This Albatros L-39ZA in flight (before new paint scheme)
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This Albatros L-39ZA on the ground (before new paint scheme)
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This Albatros L-39ZA with NEW paint scheme: Russian ‘Splinter’ with
Czech Lo-viz markings.
(These photos are a bit lighter and more blue. Photos at the top and further below are closer to actual.)
This Albatros L-39ZA with NEW Paint Scheme
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- Heavy duty spring towbar
- External Fuel Tanks 350l and 150l and Rolling Tank Rack
- Aircraft cover and plugs
- Airtug 10hp aircraft tug, customized for this aircraft.
- Hydraulic mule (electric 220v Three Phase), with new connecting hoses and
fittings
- Jacks, plus specialized servicing tools and toolkits.
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