On August 16, the Czech companies Aero and Omnipol successfully supplied the first six L-39NG aircraft to the Vietnamese Air Force. Six L-39NG aircraft completed the Vietnamese Air Force’s final acceptance process, which included fully building them, confirming all functions, and having a factory pilot test-fly them on-site. Vietnam is the first customer of the L-39NG aircraft, which was delivered in collaboration with Omnipol, Aero’s shareholder.
The final step of aircraft handover, known as Site Acceptance Test (SAT), takes place directly at the customer site and is overseen by a joint team of about ten specialists from Aero and Omnipol, according to Viktor Sotona, CEO and Chairman of Aero, who also notes that the final assembly and test flights of the six L-39NG aircraft went well. The aircraft may now serve as both a training platform for fighter pilots and a tactical platform for the Vietnamese Air Force, satisfying a wide range of mission requirements.
The delivery of a finished L-39NG aircraft to a customer is a meticulously planned and executed process, comprising multiple predetermined phases and steps. After meeting all of the requirements of the so-called FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), which entails acceptance testing at the Aero factory level, the aircraft can be transferred to its destination. The SAT is carried out here, which is a process in which the client tests and accepts the aircraft. The SAT’s goal is to guarantee that the aircraft is correctly installed, configured, and operationally ready, ensuring the highest quality and performance.
In addition to the finished L-39NG aircraft, the customer receives a comprehensive array of theoretical and practical training materials, including a simulation training system and pilot and mechanic manuals. The L-39NG airplane manual is tens of thousands of pages long and acts as a repair guide for technicians, containing information on the tools required and how to use them. Pilots have an equally detailed guidebook outlining protocols for various airborne maneuvers and scenarios, ensuring they are fully prepared and supported in their operations.
The L-39NG is produced by over 400 supplier companies, with the Czech Republic accounting for roughly 65% of the suppliers. Each L-39NG aircraft requires around 14,000 parts, 17,500 rivets, and 31,000 work hours to assemble.
The L-39NG platform, which combines modern avionics systems, an efficient jet engine, and outstanding flight characteristics, currently supports 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 capable of light combat and reconnaissance operations. Omnipol, the company that co-owns Aero, secured a contract with Vietnam to purchase 12 L-39NG aircraft in 2021, making it its first customer.
