Wings Over Illawarra Airshow 2019

Aero L-39 Albatros
The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer developed in Czechoslovakia by
Aero Vodochody. It was designed during the 1960s as a replacement for the Aero L-29 Delfin
as a principal training aircraft. The L-39 Albatros has the distinction of being the first of the
second-generation jet trainers to be produced, as well as being the first trainer aircraft to be
equipped with a turbofan powerplant. The type was exported to a wide range of countries as a
military trainer.
The L-39 Albatros later served as the basis for the updated L-59 Super Albatros, as well as
the L-139 (prototype L-39 with Garrett TFE731 engine). A further development of the design,
designated as the L-159 ALCA, entered production in 1997. To date, more than 2,800 L-39s
have served with over 30 air forces around the world. The Albatros is the most widely used jet
trainer in the world; in addition to performing basic and advanced pilot training, it has also flown
combat missions in a light-attack role. The design never received a NATO reporting name.