ollout of the L-39NG signals
what should be the start
of a new era for Prague-
based Aero Vodochody. The ’NG
has been a priority for the firm since
it was launched at the Farnborough
International Airshow in 2014
and now is the time to deliver.
Speaking at its rollout on October
12, company president and CEO
Giuseppe Giordo declared: “We
are not selling words anymore;
we are selling aircraft.”
Prime Minister of the Czech
Republic Andrej Babiš, who headed
a list of domestic VIPs at the event,
told the audience of around 300,
including personnel from foreign
air forces attending the third L-39
Users’ Group Conference: “I’m
glad to see Czech industry is
back on the aviation scene. Aero
Vodochody aircraft were always
used by the Czech Army and I
suppose it will be the case with
this new generation of aircraft too.
“I will personally support Aero
Vodochody to ensure this aircraft
is a success and will ensure my
fellow ministers will do the same.”
Three weeks later, on November
4, Aero celebrated the 50th
anniversary of the first flight of its
‘legacy’ L-39. The ’NG, meanwhile,
is scheduled to make its first flight
later this year – and the company
will mark its centenary in February.
AFM asked Aero’s president
what the L-39NG means to the
company. He responded: “It
means that after 30 years, Aero
has developed and produced
a new aircraft. It means we’re
utilising all the engineering
and technical ability that’s
always been present here.
“It means a different way of
managing the entire systemand not just working on
aerostructures and overhaul. And
it means we have a leading role
in the Czech aviation industry.
These programmes can be a
lifeline for smaller and medium
enterprises, and universities
and technical facilities.”
Giordo, who headed up Alenia
Aermacchi between 2011 and
2015, sees a demand for around
3,000 aircraft in this class over
the next 15 years and believes
Aero can easily achieve sales
of 150 to 200 aircraft.
“The characteristics of training
aircraft are changing,” he said. “A
few years ago, everybody wanted
to focus on the advanced jet
trainer capabilities; now they realise
they need something smaller or
less complex to transition to an
advanced jet trainer or to a fifth-
generation fighter. The L-39NG cancope with the lower and higher
part of the training system.”
Nearly 3,000 L-39/L-59s were
sold to around 50 air forces
across the globe and Aero
believes 600 of them are still flying
today. The L-39NG is following
in some very big footsteps.Slow development
The slow pace of L-39NG
development after 2014 was
partly due to upheavals at Aero,
where Giordo took over in May- In his first few months, he
and his Italian management team
devised a new strategy for the
firm’s long-term survivability.
It wasn’t too long ago that the
firm was struggling and much of
the credit for turning it around
goes to Penta Investments, which
acquired the ailing company in
January 2007. Aero also enjoys
R
Above: The L-39NG represents a thorough overhaul of the original, Cold War-era L-39. It features a new
airframe, engine, avionics, cockpit, canopy and ejection seats, among other features. Aero Vodochody
34 // DECEMBER 2018 #369 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com
Albatros stretches its wings
Alan Warnes was on the scene for the rollout of the latestß
L-39NG, marking a new chapter for the Aero Vodochody
company which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the
original L-39 Albatros on November 4.
Intel
Report