a modern ‘office’, and there’s
also a head-up display (HUD)
in the front and a HUD repeater
in the back. Meanwhile the
original Ukrainian-built AI-25TL
powerplant has been replaced
by a lighter Williams FJ44-4M.
By the time of the ’NG rollout,
the L-39CW had clocked up
around 30 flying hours validating
new systems since its return
to the air on August 8.
Developing the
powerplant
Aero’s engineers have been
instrumental in developing the
military version of the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations
(ITAR)-free FJ44-4M engine.
The L-39CW accumulated
around 200 hours flying with
the civilian FJ44-4A before
being grounded for upgrades.
Jaromir Lang, the L-39NG’s
designer, said of the new
powerplant: “The -4M is a bit
more robust than the civilian
-4A equivalent, to cope
with the high-g loads during
aerobatic manoeuvres.”
Since joining Aero in 1986,
Lang has worked on several
engines, including the AI-25TL
and the L-159’s Honeywell F124.
“Williams worked gaps between
the blades and completely
changed the exhaust pipe for
our requirements,” he said. “As
a result, they’ve increased the
thrust level of the engines for
military use, up to 1,750kg.”
Aerodynamic testing for
the L-39NG will be carried
Above: Using the L-39CW testbed
for development testing means the
new L-39NG can be launched in
serial production configuration rather
than wait for a prototype to prove it.
Alan Warnes Above right: ‘Team NG’
at the October 12 rollout ceremony.
From left to right: Marek Dospiva,
co-founder and partner at Penta
Investments; Prime Minister of the
Czech Republic Andrej Babiš; and
Aero boss Giuseppe Giordo. Aero
Vodochody Right: Jaromir Lang is the
L-39NG’s designer – he began his
career at Aero in 1986. Alan Warnes
Below: Accompanied by dry ice and
music, the L-39NG is pushed out of
Hall 133 – its final assembly line – by
many of the workers who built it. Alan
Warnes Left: The L-39CW has been
configured to prove the new cockpit
for the ’NG. It includes Genesys
MFDs, a HUD in the front and a HUD
repeater in the rear. Alan Warnes“We think we have the best training solution out there –
boasting fantastic avionics systems with on-board virtual
simulation.” Marco Venanzetti36 // DECEMBER 2018 #369 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com
Intel
Report