The Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody is satisfied with the feedback from pilots on its L-39NG training aircraft. The model, now known as the Skyfox, is is praised “for its technological maturity and high level of user-friendliness”.
“The experience of our customers, especially the pilots, is irreplaceable for us. Their positive feedback from practical use is a valuable testimony that the Skyfox meets the high demands of modern pilot training and also confirms its quality for future customers,” said Viktor Sotona, CEO and President of Aero in a recent press release. “Thanks to the feedback, we can continuously improve not only the L-39 Skyfox itself, but also the entire training platform it offers.”
Retraining of Czech pilots
The practical training for the pilots of the Pardubice Flight Training Center of the state-owned company LOM Praha (-> L-39NG handover to LOM Praha) took place in several phases at Vodochody Airport. The first phase comprised twelve flight hours for retraining as pilot in command (PIC), followed by three flight hours for night flight qualification. This was followed by a further nine hours of instructor training, including one flight hour for night flights and one hour of instruction on how to carry out a functional check flight, a verification flight by the pilot in command.
During instructor training, the pilots flew from the rear cockpit to concentrate on training future student pilots. “The L-39 Skyfox is agile and responds well to control movements, which facilitates precise flying. The advanced avionics enable more comfortable control in difficult weather conditions or with limited visibility,” Tomas Merta, pilot instructor at the Pardubice Flight Training Center, is quoted as saying in the aero release.
Modern technology, better performance and pilot friendliness
The L-39 Skyfox has a full glass cockpit with two large displays, a transparent head-up display and the HOTAS system (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick). The Virtual Training System (VTS) enables the simulation of complex combat scenarios without the need for an additional aircraft in the air. During practical training, pilots learn basic and advanced flying techniques such as aerobatic maneuvers, day and night instrument flying and tactical flight operations, including attacks on ground targets and dogfights.
“The simulation of virtual radars or combat targets brings an enormous advantage. Thanks to the modern cockpit and systems, we can handle complex scenarios faster than before. This is a great advantage, and the L-39 Skyfox will ease the transition of pilots to fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft,” Merta continues: “The Skyfox is not only technologically advanced, but also user-friendly. The new engine makes the aircraft significantly more agile and enables aerobatic maneuvers even at higher altitudes above 4,000 meters.”
Aero Vodochody is also pleased with the positive feedback on pilot training from Hungary and Vietnam (-> Aero Vodochody hands over six L-39NGs to Vietnam).
Click here for more news about Aero Vodochody.
