Breitling Jet Team L-39 aircraft to train fighter pilots
Babcock International Group recently purchased 11 L-39 “Albatros” aircraft as part of its international fighter pilot training academy, Alert 5 first noted.
The acquisition, from Apache Aviation, strengthens its capabilities to support the training and development of air force pilots.
The academy, located on a former military base in Dijon, France, will offer programmes including the training of future fighter pilots, L-39 pilot instructor certification, retraining of already qualified fighter pilots, and training for pilots and advanced controllers (JTAC) in close air support missions.
The courses, designed and delivered by former fighter pilots from the French Air and Space Force, will be specifically tailored to the needs of international air forces and aligned with NATO’s standard operational procedures. Advanced training will also be delivered on the L-39 aircraft, based on realistic combat scenarios.
Aerial targets
With this new operational capability, Babcock aims to support fighter squadrons, military ships, and French and European army units with training missions in the form of aerial targets.
Pierre Basquin, Babcock’s Chief Executive Aviation and CEO France, said in a company news release: “Military pilot training is a critical component of our customers’ defence capabilities. Expanding our military training activity aligns with our ambition to support our customers’ needs, both in the short and long term. With our expertise and infrastructure, we deliver a complete training system which provides military pilots with a comprehensive training experience that reflects a real military flying environment.
“Our programmes will develop technical skills and instil essential attitudes for facing field challenges. By closely collaborating with our clients, we will ensure the continuous adaptation of our methods and tools to guarantee training that remains at the forefront of innovation.”
Breitling Jet Team
The L-39 aircraft have flown previously as part of the “Breitling Jet Team,” the only civilian aerobatic team in the world to fly jet aircraft. The “Breitling Jet Team” has performed numerous demonstrations in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The Breitling Jet Team was the largest civilian aerobatic display team in Europe. Based in Dijon, France, it flew Aero L-39 Albatros jets. The team flew a display lasting 18–20 minutes that included formation flying, opposition passes, solo routines, and synchronized maneuvers. The team performed across Europe and the Middle East, with multiple engagements per year, including international airshows and Breitling corporate events.
In 2015, the team embarked on a two-year tour of North America with performances at notable events like the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In, the Vectren Dayton Air Show, Jones Beach, NY, Rhode Island, AirVenture at Oshkosh and the Abbotsford International Airshow as well as the Canadian International Air Show in Canada. Their final North American performance concluded on Oct. 23, 2016 at the Huntington Beach Airshow in Huntington Beach, California.
Breitling withdrew sponsorship in 2019 and the team discontinued performances.
L-39 Albatros
The L-39 Albatros is a highly capable, stable, subsonic aircraft that first flew in November 1969. The aircraft is produced in the Czech Republic and it is constructed in conjunction with plans developed by Aero Vodochody and its chief designer, Jan Vlček. The L-39 is flown worldwide, principally with former Soviet allies. The aircraft continues to fly in countries as diverse as Iraq, Chechnya, Libya, Syria and Russia. The Albatros is flown primarily as a trainer or light attack aircraft similar in mission to the Italian MB339 or M-346, the British Hawk and the US Goshawk.
The L-39 is designed with many distinguishing characteristics. The aircraft possesses a uniquely tall vertical tail that is swept back and is one of its dominant features. The tail, with its inset rudder, provides directional control to the aircraft.
The L-39 has thick wings that provide ample lift for the airframe, and each wing has provisions to mount stores or fuel tanks that extend the range of the L-39. Operational g-force limits at 4,200 kg are +8g/-4g. Side-by-side airbrakes are located under the L-39 fuselage slightly ahead of the wing’s leading edge. The L-39 has variable-incidence horizontal stabilizers mounted on the rear of the aircraft at the base of the rudder. These stabilizers, with their inset elevators, provide primary pitch control to the aircraft.
Photo by Babcock and Yannick Bammert via Wikipedia
