Aero Vodochody L 59

Type (Muster)
Jet trainer and light attack aircraft (Strahltrainer und leichtes Kampfflugzeug)

Country (Land)
Czech Republic

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Aero Vodochody
25070 Odolena Voda
Czech Republic

Phone: 0042-2/688-0041
Fax: 0042-2/823172

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2

Weapons (Bewaffnung): The L 59 features four underwing hardpoints and a load station under the fuselage. External stores options include:

gun pod under the fuselage
rocket pods (up to 4)
350 liter drop tanks (up to 2)
IR-guided air-to-air missiles (2)
250 kg bombs (4)
450 kg bombs (2)
125 kg bombs (6)
recce pod

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x ZMK DV-2 turbofan
Max. thrust (Schub): 1 x 21,58 kN (4850 lbs)
Specific fuel consumption (spez. Kraftstoffverbrauch): 60 kg/kN/h

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 12,20 m
Height (Höhe): 4,77 m
Span (Spannweite): 9,54 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 18,8 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Basic empty weight (Leermasse): 4030 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 1200 kg
External fuel (vier Zusatztanks): 1088 kg
Ramp weight, clean aircraft (Rollmasse ohne Außenlasten): 5390 kg
Take-off weight, clean (Startmasse): 5300 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): close to 7000 kg
Max. landing weight (max. Landemasse): 6000 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. level speed (max. Horizontalfluggeschwindigkeit): 870 km/h
Never-exceed speed (Geschwindigkeitslimit): 920 km/h at sea level
Stalling speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 172 km/h
Max. rate of climb (Steigrate): 25 m/s
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 12200 m
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 590 m at sea level
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 640 m at sea level
Max. range (max. Reichweite) internal fuel only (10% reserve): 1570 km
Endurance (Flugdauer) with internal fuel, 10% reserve: 2 h 55 m
Maximum load factor (max. load factor): +8/-4 g

Customers (Kunden)
Aero Vodochody has clinched three orders for the L 59 so far:

Czech air force (five, deliverd in 1991/1992)
Egypt (48 aircraft, designated L 59E, deliverd in 1993/94)
Tunesia (12 aircraft, designated L 59T, delivered in 1995/96).

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
British Aerospace Hawk
Aermacchi MB 339

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The L 59 is a direct descendant of the L 39, and was first introduced as the L 39MS. It features a reinforced fuselage with a slightly longer nose, a new DV-2 engine with more power, modernised cockpit instrumentation and enlarged tip tanks.
The first L 39MS flew on September 30, 1996, and two more prototypes followed on 26. June 1987 and 6. October 1987. First flight of production L 59 was on 1. October 1989.

Last updated 25. March 1998

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