Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFMCNS) - A Czechoslovakian L-39 Albatross took up temporary residence here Aug. 21, joining the Air Force Flight Test Center's cadre of weapon systems as a potential replacement for the retired T-39.
The aircraft, arriving from
Teton Aviation in Driggs, Idaho, is slated to fulfill several missions at Edwards during a six-month trial period. Test center experts will evaluate the L-39's flight capabilities, maintenance reliability and cost performance in support of flight test, according to Maj. Bill Koukourikos, 412th Test Wing L-39 project officer.
Cost being a major factor in the test center's flight operations, Koukourikos said there are currently several missions being investigated for the L-39, one of which is as a partial replacement for the now-retired AFFTC T-39 fleet.
"AFFTC requires a flexible, yet inexpensive airframe to support its core flying programs," Koukourikos said.
Based on the "transformation in testing " philosophy - keeping costs at a minimum, examining all options and assets available, using commercial off-the-shelf resources and streamlining the acquisition process - AFFTC officials decided on a limited-time, fixed-cost service contract for an aircraft capable of carrying out mission requirements.
"We researched several aircraft," Koukourikos said, "and the L-39 was found to be the best choice, supporting 70 to 80 percent of the T-39 mission, to include Test Pilot School training.
"The L-39 is simple, flexible and very inexpensive to own, lease and operate. The trial period will involve tasking the L-39 with the overall test mission and will quantitatively measuring flying, maintenance and cost performance."
Just as important, Koukourikos said the aircraft has a great safety record stateside and abroad, as well as a number of
excellent support facilities within the United States as well as an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to help develop the L-39's standard U.S. maintenance plan.
This Czech built trainer and light-attack jet initially went into full production as the standard military jet trainer in 1972 for the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries. Approximately 3,000 have been built in Czechoslovakia and exported to more than a dozen countries.
According to Koukourikos, the next six months will determine the center's decision on the Albatross. If all goes as planned, the long-term vision is to bring in two L-39s to support AFFTC's testing and training missions.
"This evaluation of the L-39 is just the first step in an attempt to transform the way we support tests at AFFTC," said Col. C. R. Davis. "We are going to take a tough look at this unique asset and see if we can provide more economical test support to our customers by making hard trades between cost and performance.
"This jet must earn its way on our ramp. If the six-month evaluation is successful, it may force us to look at the viability of other airplanes in the test wing fleet."
