PARIS \u2014 Czech company Aero Vodochody has announced three customers who have signed up to enter the L-39 Next Generation upgrade program, which will equip their L-39 jet trainers with new engines and systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Breitling Jet Team, Draken International and Czech state firm LOM Praha will together order around 20 upgrades, said Ladislav Simek, CEO of Aero Vodochody, which manufactures the venerable L-39 trainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LOM Praha is a Czech state firm which offers jet training to the Czech Air Force and those of other countries, while Florida-based Draken has a fleet of 70 ex-military fighter aircraft which are used for training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Draken and the Breitling Jet Team have signed letters of intent for their purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A LOM Praha owned subsidiary is also working on a simulator for the new L-39, which will be ready by the end of 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three customers will have new Williams International FJ44-4M engines installed on their existing L-39s, as well as upgraded systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Czech firm is meanwhile marketing the L-39NG as an all-new aircraft to new buyers, offering new avionics, a new airframe with five hard points, a glass cockpit and a new engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The low cost of the aircraft would be a major attraction, Simek said. “We are offering below $2,500 per flight hour.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are currently around 400 L-39s in use, and Simek said he was talking to air forces about the L-39NG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We are talking to existing users and a few new customers,” he said. “We are in advanced talks with two government customers which could be finalized in the coming months.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An official said the firm would pitch the L-39NG to France, which is seeking to replace its Alpha jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first flight of a re-engined jet will be this summer in the Czech Republic, while the all-new aircraft will be certified in 2017 and ready for delivery in 2108.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Customers who take a new engine for their aircraft now can subsequently transfer that engine to a new aircraft when they come to buy that,” Simek said. “We would sell them a new aircraft with no engine in it.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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