Czech CLV receives first L-39 'Skyfox'

A proper welcome for the premier L-39NG Skyfox of the Pardubice-based Flight Training Centre (photo LOM Praha)

Report by Robin Polderman, photos by LOM Praha

In the early afternoon of Friday 24 January 2025, the Czech based CLV (Centrum Leteckého Výcviku - Flight Training Center) welcomed its first Aero Vodochody L-39 Skyfox, tail number 0477, at its homebase of Pardubice.

The arrival of the indigenous L-39 Next Generation training aircraft, piloted by instructors Tomáš Merta and Ervín Ehm, will benefit the training of future F-35 pilots of the Czech Air Force. The first F-35 aircraft are scheduled to arrive in the Czech Republic during 2031 to replace the current fleet of JAS-39 Gripens.

Both instructor pilots as well as the ground crew raise the glass together with CLV director, Jaroslav Špaček, after the arrival of the first L-39NG (photo LOM Praha).

In November of 2022, LOM Praha signed a contract stipulating the delivery of four aircraft, with an option for four more. The type received the name ‘Skyfox’ during a ceremony at the Aero plant in October of 2024. The L-39 Skyfox was also ordered by the airforces of Hungary and Vietnam.

Despite being a spitting image of its predecessor, the ubiquitous L-39 Albatros, the L-39NG is a completely new aircraft featuring a Williams International FJ44 engine , Martin Baker Mk.16 zero-zero ejection seats, a digital cockpit, and HOTAS.

Besides the acquisition of the Skyfox, a new simulation centre, including an L-39NG Full Mission Simulator, is under construction. The CLV has recognised state-of-the-art simulators as being an important part of the training syllabus, because it will lessen the need for expensive flight hours in real aircraft.

Despite the CLV being a division of state enterprise LOM Praha and therefore classifies as a civilian company, its aircraft are entered in the Czech military register. Besides training Czech Air Force jet-, rotary-, and transport pilots, the company has also trained pilots of foreign airforces including those of Afghanistan, Iraq and Poland. The CLV has been in existence since 2004 and uses Zlin 142 basic trainers, L-39C jets, L-410UVP transports as well as Enstrom 480 and Mi-17 helicopters.