Aero L-59 Super Albatros

The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a two seat trainer aircraft developed by the Aero Industries in 1986. It was replaced in the Czech repulblic by the L-159 Alca.

Description[]

74188651 — An Aero L-59 Super Albatros of the Czech Air Force

The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firm's earlier L-39 Albatros. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, a vastly updated cockpit, and a more powerful engine. At the time of its first flight on 30 September 1986, it was designated the L-39MS.

In 1992, a dedicated single-seat attack variant was proposed under the project name ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft), and was successfully marketed to the Czech Air Force. First flight of this variant, designated L-159A, was on 2 August 1997. The aircraft features mostly Western avionics, with systems integration undertaken by Boeing. The Czech Republic is currently the only operator of the type. Since then a new two-seat trainer has been flown as the L-159B Albatros II.

Variants[]

L-59

Standard production version (six L-39MS for Czechoslovak Air Force). Later four in Czech Air Force, two in Slovak Air Force.

L-59E

Export version for Egypt. 49 x L-59s for Egyptian Air Force.

L-59T

Export version for Tunisia. 12 x L-59s for Tunisian Air Force.

Operators[]

Egypt

Egyptian Air Force

Tunisia

Tunisian Air Force

Specifications[]

General Characteristics[]

Crew: 2: student and instructor
Length: 12.20 m (40 ft 0¼ in)
Wingspan: 9.54 m (31 ft 3½ in)
Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 7¾ in)
Wing area: 18.80 m² (202.4 ft²)
Empty weight: 4,030 kg (8,866 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 7,000 kg (15,432 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Lotarev DV-2 Turbofan, 21.57 kN (4,850 lbf)

Performance[]

Maximum speed: 865 km/h (467 knots, 537 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Stall speed: 185 km/h (100 knots, 115 mph) (flaps down)
Range: 2,000 km (1,079nmi, 1,243 mi) max internal and external fuel
Service ceiling: 11,800 m (38,785 ft)
Rate of climb: 28 m/s (5,510 ft/min)

Armament[]

Guns: 1 × GSh-23L cannon in underfuselage pod
Hardpoints: 4 underwing hardpoints with a capacity of inner hardpoints 500 kg (1,100 lb) capacity, outer hardpoints 250 kg (550 lb)

Related Devlopment[]

Comaparable Aircraft[]

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