Series-produced Aero L-39NG makes first flight

Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero has successfully flown the first series-produced L-39NG aircraft 20 years after the last mass-produced aircraft was flown. The first serial production L-39NG aircraft flight met all expectations. During the 40-minute flight, the pilots tested the behavior of the L-39NG trainer within its normal operating envelope. Testing was performed in up to 8,500m altitude and speeds up to 900km/h.

Aero recently commissioned a new production line dedicated solely to the L-39NG aircraft. Within two years, the traditional Czech aircraft manufacturer plans to increase its L-39NG production to 24 units per year. Other Czech companies are also involved in the production of the L-39NG. Over 60% of Aero's suppliers are domestic companies.

The first production L-39NG trainer is destined for a customer in Southeast Asia. Other customers include Hungary and the Czech Republic. Aero currently has orders for 34 units of the L-39NG.

"The flight of the first production aircraft confirmed the readiness of the L-39NG for serial delivery to our customers," said Aero President and CEO Viktor Sotona.

"The factory flyaway program has been previously proven on L-39NG prototypes. The first production aircraft with the serial number 7005 has fulfilled all the points of the program," added Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer Petr Jinda and Aero L-39NG Chief Designer Jaromir Lang,

AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the world. With 11,000 aircraft produced in its 100 years of existence, hundreds of L-39 Albatros aircraft still in service with dozens of military operators and a number of demo teams, AERO has established itself as a leader in the global jet trainer market. In the civil aviation sector, AERO works with major aircraft manufacturers on a wide range of projects and is a partner in several risk-sharing programs, where it is responsible not only for the manufacture and assembly of aircraft assemblies, but also for their development.