Handover of the Six L-39NG to the Vietnam Air Force

22 Agustus 2024

Six L-39NG trainer aircraft handover to the Vietnam (photos: Aero)

Successful handover of the L-39NG to the first customer

Vodochody – The first customer, Vietnam, has successfully completed the SAT (Site Acceptance Test) of L-39NG trainer aircraft. The six L-39NG aircraft have thus successfully passed the final acceptance test with the Vietnamese Air Force, during which they were fully assembled, all their functions verified and flown by a factory pilot on site. Vietnam is the first user of the L-39NG aircraft to receive the aircraft in partnership with Aero’s shareholder Omnipol.

“The final step of the handover of the aircraft, called SAT, takes place directly at the customer’s site and is directed by a joint team of around ten specialists from Aero and Omnipol,” says Victor Sotona, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Aero, adding: “I am extremely pleased that the final assembly and flight of the six L-39NGs went well, and our aircraft can now fully serve as a training platform for fighter pilots as well as a tactical platform fulfilling a wide range of missions for the Vietnamese Air Force.”

The delivery of finished L-39NG aircraft to the customer has several prescribed phases and steps. Once all the specified requirements have been met in the so-called FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), which means the factory level acceptance test at the Aero plant, the aircraft can be delivered to its destination. Here, the so-called SAT (Site Acceptance Test) is carried out, which is the process by which the machine is tested and accepted by the customer. The purpose of the SAT is to ensure that the aircraft is correctly installed and configured and is ready for operation.

The customer also receives the appropriate theoretical and practical training kit with the completed L-39NG aircraft, which also includes a simulation training system or manuals for pilots and mechanics. The manual for the L-39NG is tens of thousands of pages long and serves as a guide for technicians during repairs, including information on the necessary tools and their use. Pilots have an equally comprehensive manual that details procedures for various flight maneuvers and situations.

Approximately 400 supplier companies are involved in the production of the L-39NG, with about 65% of the suppliers coming from the Czech Republic. The assembly of one L-39NG aircraft requires approximately 14,000 parts, 17,500 rivets and 31,000 hours of labour.

The L-39NG platform, combining modern avionics systems, an efficient jet engine and excellent flight characteristics, currently enables both Western and Eastern configurations and meets the requirements for comprehensive and cost-effective training of future pilots of fourth and fifth generation aircraft such as the F-16 and F-35. In addition to pilot training, the L-39NG is also suitable for light combat and reconnaissance missions. The contract for the purchase of 12 L-39NGs was awarded by Omnipol, which co-owns Aero, to Vietnam in 2021, making it the first customer.

(Aero)