Vodochody, February 6, 2025 – The Czech L-39 Skyfox trainer aircraft from Aero Vodochody is receiving positive evaluations directly from the air. Pilots from the Czech Republic, Vietnam, and Hungary praise its technological maturity and user-friendliness. The modern cockpit, virtual simulations, and the ability to handle a variety of missions make this machine an ideal platform for retraining and advanced pilot training.

“The experience of our customers, especially pilots, is irreplaceable for us. Their positive feedback from practical operations is a valuable testimony that Skyfox meets the high demands of modern flight training and also confirms its qualities for future customers. Thanks to the feedback, we can continuously improve not only the L-39 Skyfox itself but also the entire training platform it offers,” says Viktor Sotona, Chairman of the Board and President of Aero.

Effective retraining and instructor training

Practical training for the pilots of the Pardubice Flight Training Centre of the state-owned LOM Praha took place at the airport in Vodochody in several phases. The first stage included 12 flight hours designed for retraining pilots for the function of a pilot in command (PIC), then 3 flight hours for night qualification were performed. This was followed by another 9 hours dedicated to instructor training including 1 flight hour for night flights and one hour dedicated to familiarization with the performance of a Functional Check Flight, a verification flight of the aircraft by the pilot-in-command. During the instructor training, pilots flew from the rear cockpit where they focused on training future students instead of piloting. “The L-39 Skyfox aircraft is lively and responds well to control stick changes, which facilitates precision piloting. The advanced avionics allow for more friendly flying in difficult weather conditions or reduced visibility,” says Tomáš Merta, pilot-instructor at the Pardubice Flight Training Centre, describing the experience in the cockpit.

Modern technology, better performance, and pilot friendliness

The L-39 Skyfox is equipped with a full glass cockpit with two large displays, a transparent display, and the HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) system. There is also modern pilot equipment such as anti-G pants and a modern flight vest. In addition, the Virtual Training System (VTS) allows the simulation of complex combat scenarios without the need for an additional aircraft in the air. During practical training, pilots learn basic and advanced piloting techniques such as aerobatic maneuvers or instrument flying during day and night, and tactical flying, including attacks on ground targets and aerial combat.

“Simulating virtual radar or combat targets brings a huge advantage. Thanks to modern cockpit and systems, we can handle complex scenarios faster than before. This is a great advantage and the L-39 Skyfox will allow pilots to transition to 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft more easily,” says Tomáš Merta, adding: “Skyfox is not only technologically advanced but also user-friendly. The new engine makes the aircraft significantly livelier and allows aerobatic maneuvers even at higher altitudes above 4,000 meters.”

Positive international experience: Vietnam and Hungary

The Vietnamese Air Force has extensive and long-standing experience with the L-39 Albatros, which the current pilots are building on. They are helped to do so by, for example, ground-based pilot training facilities, a computer-assisted learning system, the Cabin Procedures Simulator, and the Full Mission Simulator. The retraining of Vietnamese pilots on the L-39 Skyfox, including instructor training, began with training the first group of pilots for approximately 250 flight hours and 350 sorties.

“During the flight days, up to 6 flights per day were performed in temperatures reaching up to 35°C and local high humidity, but our aircraft are prepared for this and can cope with the diverse and extreme climatic conditions of our customers,” explains Petr Doubek, Director of the Aero Training Organization, on the training of pilots directly in Vietnam. “Type retraining of the second group of pilots will begin, followed by an advanced training phase during which the Vietnamese pilots will become more familiar with the use of the aircraft for more demanding tasks such as formation flights, low-altitude flights, and deepening their skills in high-flying techniques. After flying hundreds of hours, the pilots praise the Head-Up Display, the exceptional cockpit view, avionics capabilities, engine acceleration, and overall flight characteristics of the L-39 Skyfox trainer,” says Petr Doubek, who explains the practical experience of the Vietnamese pilots.

The Hungarian pilots also have positive experiences with the Skyfox’s predecessor, and so they approached their first flight with great expectations. “Our pilots have a lot of experience with the predecessor of this aircraft. This time, however, they sat in the cockpit with enthusiasm because they were able to take off with the latest version of the Aero L-39 Skyfox. The first flying hours were a very pleasant experience for them,” agreed the Hungarian Air Force representatives in their evaluation of the flight training.

The training of pilots and ground specialists on the L-39 Skyfox aircraft includes theoretical instruction, during which the participants learn about the technical design of the aircraft’s various systems and operational procedures. Certified Aero instructors and specialists, including specialists from the development department and factory pilot instructors, conduct the training. Currently, the Hungarian Air Force pilots are undergoing retraining and training, and pilots of the Vietnamese Air Force and pilots of the LOM Prague Air Training Centre, who will train the Czech Air Force pilots, have also undergone a similar process.

Aero L-39 Skyfox is an all-new, multi-functional, modern platform capable of covering multiple functions, from pilot training to light combat and reconnaissance missions. The Skyfox represents the most efficient aircraft in its class, available in both Western and Eastern configurations and certified to EU and NATO regulations. This versatile technology platform combines advanced simulation technologies and ground-based training systems. The Czech L-39 Skyfox trainer offers an innovative combination of modern avionics, a powerful jet engine, and excellent flight characteristics, making it a suitable choice for all phases of 4th and 5th-generation pilot training, reconnaissance, and light combat missions aimed at cooperation with various ground forces.

AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. focuses on the development, production, maintenance, and modernization of civil and military aircraft, and is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the world. In the field of its own aircraft, Aero is a permanent partner of a number of military air forces and has a strong position in the market for military trainers and light combat aircraft. 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, and especially with its new L-39 Skyfox aircraft, Aero has established itself as a leader in the global jet trainer market. In the civil aviation sector, Aero cooperates with major aerospace manufacturers on a wide range of projects and is a partner in several risk-sharing programs, where it is responsible for the production and assembly of aircraft units and their development.