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The Aero
L-39C Albatros is an attractive and effective jet trainer that
was developed to succeed the same company's L-29 Delfin.
The first
of three prototypes flew in November 1968, and the only major
problem was the integration of the Soviet turbofan into the
Czech airframe. The original L-39C basic training version
entered service in 1974 and became the standard jet trainer of
most Communist air arms. The unswept flying surfaces curtail
outright performance, but in addition to the fuel-economical
turbofan engine and height-staggered seating, positive features
are the type's tractable handling, reliability, and easy
maintenance. The
L-39C Albatros is a was the jet trainer of choice for many
of the world's air forces, due to the similar design features
and handling characteristics as larger high performance fighters
that its students will one day fly. The L-39C cockpit is fully
pressurized, heated and air conditioned. Each seat in the tandem
cockpit is equipped with enough flight controls, instruments,
engine gauges, and system indicators to allow either pilot to
safely operate the airplane. As with most military jet trainers,
the "backseat" pilot is usually the instructor and, like many
modern trainers, there is limited or no access to certain
controls and switches in the rear "pit."
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