L-159T1 trainers for Czech Air Force delivered

23/11/2007 | AERO Vodochody a.s. has delivered four L-159 advanced training aircraft, version T1, to the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic on November 23, 2007.

AERO Vodochody a.s. has delivered four L-159 advanced training aircraft, version T1, to the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic on November 23, 2007. The symbolic delivery certificate was handed over to Martin Bartak, First Deputy Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, from the hands of the President of AERO Vodochody a.s. Peter Ondro.

"The delivery of the four two-seat L-159 aircraft will bring along a significant increase in the training capability of the Czech Air Force. The L-159 aircraft represent an important part of the Czech Air Force and their mission is vital also for the pilots training for the operation of the supersonic aircraft," said Bartak.

„The delivery for the Ministry of Defence proves that the support and service for the L-159 and L-39 aircraft in service with the Czech Air Force as well as support of placing the L-159 aircraft on foreign markets belong to key priorities of AERO Vodochody a.s. It at the same time proves our capability to deliver advanced military training aircraft technology in relatively short delivery times and exactly according to the customer’s request,” said Peter Ondro, President of AERO Vodochody a.s.

„The L-159T1 aircraft has already been highly regarded by the pilots as well as by the technical personnel and represents a great contribution for our young cadets,“ added Vlastimil Picek, Chief of the General Staff of the Army of the Czech Republic.

The four L-159T1 advanced trainers will enable to reach up to 32,000 flight hours and train up to 210 military pilots, with a service life extension included. They will join their single-seat L-159 counterparts in service with the 21st Tactical Air Force Base in Caslav.

The contract on four rebuilt single-seat L-159 aircraft into two-seat T1 version was signed on June 26, 2006. Besides the production of the aircraft itself, it contains delivery of spare parts, ground support equipment, documentation and ground and flight personnel schooling. The aim of the conversion of the originally single-seat aircraft into two-seat versions was a relatively fast and cost-effective delivery of aircraft maximally copying the single-seat version, maximally utilizing the already produced components with minimum additional costs.

The contract results from the General Agreement on follow-on support service of CzAF L-159 and L-39 aircraft fleet signed on December 8, 2005 for a period till the year 2029.

L-159T1 - TWO-SEAT ADVANCED TRAINING AIRCRAFT

Aircraft Type: L-159T1
Mission: Advanced training aircraft
Customer: Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic
Production Specification: Conversion from the single-seat L-159A
Number of Units: 4
Conversion Ratio: 1:1 (L-159A:L-159T1)
Utilized Parts: L-159A wing, tail, and elements of avionics
Newly Produced Parts: L-159T1 fuselage

Criteria:

• Maximal similarity to the L-159A (HUD, MFD, HOTAS, flight performance and handling)
• Relatively short delivery times
• Maximal utilization of L-159A components
• Minimal additional costs

L-159T1 TIMETABLE:

26.06.2006 L-159T1 contract signed
29.01.2007 First L-159T1 assembly completed
08.03.2007 L-159T1 s/n 6069 first flight carried out
28.03.2007 L-159T1 prototype flight tests launched
02.08.2007 L-159T1 Supplementary Type Certificate issued
06.08.2007 L-159T1 s/n 6067 first flight carried out
07.08.2007 L-159T1 first flight by customer representative
27.08.2007 Training of the CzAF personnel for L-159T1 completed
28.08.2007 L-159T1 s/n 6071 first flight carried out
07.09.2007 L-159T1 operation evaluation by the customer completed
01.10.2007 First customer acceptance flight completed
17.10.2007 L-159T1 s/n 6072 first flight carried out
23.11.2007 4 L-159T1 aircraft officially delivered to the Ministry

L-159T1 MAIN FEATURES:

• Advanced Human Machine Interface with Head-Up Display, color Multi-Function Displays and Hands-On-Throttle-and-Stick (HOTAS) controls
• Avionics integration based on MIL-STD-1553B databus
• Accurate and autonomous navigation system with ring laser gyro based Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Extensive in-flight recording and debriefing capability for video, audio, engine and aircraft parameters
• On-condition maintenance and fatigue monitoring system for low operational cost and optimum use of aircraft service life
• On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for self-contained operation with minimum support
• Seven pylons for various stores
• Ability to operate from unpaved strips
• Best-in-class F124-GA-100 engine
• Redundant systems for high level of survivability and flight safety