Aero (2) L-39 Albatros
The Aero L-39 Albatros became the standard jet trainer across the Warsaw Pact and allied air forces, with more built than almost any other jet trainer in aviation history. Its simple, rugged, single-engine design and forgiving handling made it well suited to preparing new pilots for more advanced fighters like the MiG-21 and MiG-23. After the Cold War ended, huge numbers of surplus L-39s were sold to Western civilian owners, making it one of the most common ex-military jets in private ownership today. It remains a popular choice for civilian aerobatic display teams and warbird jet rides worldwide.
Did you know?
The L-39 Albatros became the standard jet trainer across the Warsaw Pact, and surplus examples are now common in private warbird ownership.
Specifications
| Length | 12.1 m (40 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 9.5 m (31 ft) |
| Height | 4.7 m (15 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 5.6 t |
| Range | 555 NM (1,028 km) |
| Maximum speed | 405 kt (750 km/h) |
| Stall speed | 85 kt (157 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 37,730 ft (11,500 m) |
| Rate of climb | 4,330 ft/min (22 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 630 m (2,067 ft) |
| Landing distance | 1,120 m (3,675 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,050 l |
| Engines | 1x Ivchenko-Progress AI-25TL |
| Units built | 2,800 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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