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Aero delivers first L-39 Skyfox for Czech Air Force training

By Gareth Jennings |

The state-owned enterprise LOM Praha took delivery of the first L-39 Skyfox training aircraft for use at the Pardubice Flight Training Centre in the Czech Republic, it was announced on 22 January. (Aero Vodochody)

Aero Vodochody has delivered the first L-39 Skyfox advanced jet trainer aircraft to state-owned LOM Praha for the instruction of Czech Air Force (CzAF) pilots.

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the event on 22 January, saying the first two aircraft will shortly be with the Pardubice Flight Training Centre.

Compared with the baseline L-39, which it is replacing in the training of Czech pilots, the latest-variant L-39 Skyfox (previously named L-39NG) features a more powerful Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan engine, a wet wing, a modern cockpit, and a lighter airframe than its predecessor. It is equipped with five hardpoints (compared with two for the baseline L-39) to carry a range of payloads and has the option for a gun pod.

According to Janes All the World's Aircraft: Development & Production, the L-39 Skyfox has a top speed of 420 kt, a payload of 1,200 kg, an endurance of 4.5 h, a range of 1,400 n miles, and a service ceiling of 38,000 ft. It is reported to cost less than USD10 million to procure.

For more information on the L-39 Skyfox, please seeAero flies first production standard L-39NG light attack jet trainer .

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