The new jet trainer L-39NG from the Czech aircraft manufacturer AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE visited this week the SliaÄ Air Base in Slovakia to complete several flights with a mixed Czech-Slovak crew. The L-39NG aircraft landed at SliaÄ on Sunday, April 18. The aim was to demonstrate the flight characteristics of the aircraft and to show its capabilities for training of the future pilots of Slovak F-16 fighters.
In the following days, a total of three flights took place, always with one pilot from Aero Vodochody and one Slovak Air Force pilot in the cockpit. In addition to the company pilots and ground personnel, a large delegation of management and technicians from AERO Vodochody also arrived at the air base in SliaÄ to present a comprehensive offer of strategic cooperation in the training of military pilots between the Czech and Slovak republics.
“Modernization of the equipment of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic is one of the key priorities of the current administration of the Slovak MOD. One of the planned projects is the replacement of current training aircraft, service life of which is gradually ending. We are glad that our soldiers have the opportunity to get acquainted with the possibilities of armament directly at demonstrations and presentations and I appreciate the offer of Aero Vodochody to present its new training aircraft directly at the airport in SliaÄ,” said the MOD Secretary Marian Majer.
“We offer Slovakia strategic cooperation, which includes the acquisition of eight L-39NG aircraft. Our solution would ensure better self-sufficiency in the training of future F-16 pilots and at the same time would bring significant cost savings. A strong argument is also the offer of extensive industrial cooperation in the production of the L39NG aircraft,” described ZdenÄ›k HlaÄÃk, Sales Director for the Slovak Republic from Aero Vodochody.
A dominant part of the L-39NG presentation at the air base in SliaÄ was technical data. A detailed discussion between representatives of the air base and the Aero team, represented also by the L-39NG chief designer JaromÃr Lang, covered technical parameters of the aircraft, functions of the modern avionic system and safety system of the aircraft. Representatives of the Slovak Air Force has learned about possibilities of using Virtual Training System technology and about the key parameters of the armed version of the aircraft, which should be ready in the first quarter of next year.
The L-39NG aircraft is a modern and effective light jet capable to serve in a role of light attack and/or unified, comprehensive training system for modern air forces. The L-39NG is based on the aerodynamic concept of the current L-39 with optimized features to reduce resistance and increase efficiency and utilizes the latest technologies and equipment. Power is provided by the modern FJ44-4M engine supplied with the TAP Blue engine support service to ensure unprecedented airworthiness and predictable maintenance costs.
The aircraft’s avionics are prepared to train future pilots of 4th and 5th generation aircraft and can be tailored to the customer’s requirements. The L-39NG is equipped with five hard-points for weapons. The aircraft also features a broad range of simulation technologies, including the integration into high-tech tactical simulation centres with the goal to increase training efficiency. Strategic partner of the L-39NG project is the Czech company OMNIPOL by having 50% of share and financial contribution in the project.
AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. focuses on the design, manufacturing maintenance, overhaul and upgrade of military and civil aircraft and is the largest aviation manufacturer in the Czech Republic and with history since 1919 one of the oldest aerospace companies worldwide. In the field of military aircraft, Aero has been a reliable long-term partner to many of the world’s air forces and it has a strong position on the market of military training and light combat aircraft.
With a track record of 11,000 aircraft produced over the last 100 years, a broad coverage of dozens of military operators and demo teams, a huge existing fleet of L-39 Albatrosses and with a brand new aircraft, the L-39NG now, Aero is maintaining its positioning as a leader in the jet training market. In the field of civil aviation, Aero collaborates with many of the world’s largest manufacturers in a diverse range of projects. More recently, Aero became a full partner in several risk-sharing programmes, taking responsibility not only for the production of structures but also for development.
OMNIPOL is a Prague headquartered investment and trading group with more than eighty-five years of experience in both the domestic international markets. OMNIPOL is the owner of two very well known subsidiaries namely ERA and MESIT. They are both production companies with advanced technologies, which mainly focus on passive systems for monitoring air, land and naval targets, military communications, aircraft instruments and precision engineering production, including its own foundry together with galvanic processes.
