The Flight Training Center (CLV) of the state enterprise LOM PRAHA yesterday ceremonially took over the first two new aircraft as part of the modernization of its training fleet. On the runway of Pardubice Airport, the new machines ZLIN Z-143LSi GENIUS and ZLIN Z-242L ZEUS landed, representing the first step in a fundamental renewal of the equipment intended for the training of pilots of the Army of the Czech Republic.

The ceremonial event was attended by the Director of the state enterprise LOM PRAHA, Jiří Protiva, and the Director of CLV, Jaroslav Špaček. From Otrokovice arrived, in one of the received aircraft, the Director of ZLIN AERO a.s., Miloslav Tutter, and the Air Force of the Army of the Czech Republic was represented by the Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Petr Tománek. With the new aircraft landed the instructors of the Flight Training Center of LOM PRAHA, Tomáš Bruštík and Martin Šonka.

The symbolic takeover of the new machines confirmed that Czech military flight training is entering a new era – more modern, digital, and efficient. After more than twenty years of training on Z-142C AF aircraft, their successors are arriving, which correspond to current trends and the requirements of modern flight training. The modernization was necessary not only because of the ending technical lifespan of the existing machines but also due to the need to transition to digitally equipped aircraft with longer service life, lower operating costs, and a higher level of safety.

“The aircraft are reaching the end of their service, and therefore we need rearmament. It is not only about modernization of the fleet, but also about offering high-quality training using digital instruments, ensuring the sustainability of the aircraft for the future, and reducing operating costs,” said the Director of the state enterprise LOM PRAHA, Jiří Protiva. “We are happy not only here at CLV and LOM PRAHA, but also the user, that is, the Army of the Czech Republic, and finally also the Czech industry. We are purchasing the aircraft from a domestic manufacturer, and by doing so we support hundreds of Czech subcontractors,” added Protiva, stating that company analyses confirmed that the most suitable solution is to maintain the proven Zlín training platform.

The new fleet will consist of six Z-242L ZEUS aircraft intended for basic and continuation training, including aerobatics, and two Z-143LSi GENIUS aircraft equipped with autopilot for the training of transport aviation personnel. The manufacturer of the aircraft is ZLIN AERO, based in Otrokovice, which will deliver the remaining six machines during 2026: four by the end of March and two by the end of October.

“Both types of aircraft have undergone major modernization compared to the previous Zlín 142 and 43 models. They are digitally equipped, lighter, and contain all the modern technology that is available today,” said the Director of ZLIN AERO, Miloslav Tutter, adding that the weight of the Zlín 242 was reduced by approximately one hundred kilograms, which increased its payload capacity. The Z-143LSi aircraft, on the other hand, is equipped with a complete digital instrument suite, including an autopilot, which enables instrument flight (IFR) training.

According to Tutter, the design and equipment of the new aircraft were inspired by the requirements of armed forces around the world. “We based our design not only on the needs of the Czech Army but also on the requirements of foreign armed forces. We supply our aircraft, for example, to Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Croatia, and we are currently preparing significant contracts for the Far East – also for military customers,” added Tutter.
The new machines are equipped with modern Lycoming engines with lower fuel consumption and quieter operation. “The aircraft are noticeably quieter than their predecessors and have an extended service life. Thanks to the AMU system, which monitors technical parameters during operation, we can, in the Normal category, extend the lifespan up to 30,000 flight hours. In the aerobatic category, we are moving towards the limit of 6,000 hours,” explained Tutter.

The cooperation between LOM PRAHA and ZLIN AERO does not consist only in the delivery of new aircraft. Based on the signed industrial cooperation agreement, both companies also develop a partnership in the field of maintenance, servicing, supply of spare parts, aviation materials, as well as in the research and development of aircraft systems. “Maintenance is something that must be part of the purchase itself. We care about sustainability and ensuring the entire life cycle of the aircraft,” said LOM PRAHA Director Jiří Protiva. “I am very glad that with ZLIN AERO we agreed not only on acquisition but also on broader industrial cooperation. As with the older Zlín aircraft, we managed to transfer a larger part of the maintenance directly to the Flight Training Center — this time to a significantly greater extent. And it does not end there. Together with ZLIN AERO, we are also developing the area of research, development, and the sharing of information and technologies, which will further strengthen our self-sufficiency in the future,” added Protiva.

Satisfaction with the modernization of the CLV training fleet was also confirmed by Brigadier General Petr Tománek, Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Army of the Czech Republic: “It is an important day not only for LOM PRAHA but also for the Army of the Czech Republic. The new aircraft bring new capabilities to our training. Thanks to them, we can design training with regard to future F-35 pilots. The introduction of modern technologies, digital instrument panels, and simulation systems is exactly what our country needs.”

General Tománek also explained how the new aircraft fit into the training system of military pilots. “On these machines, cadets begin their basic training, then move on to jet aircraft L-39C, which, however, are ending their service this year. They then continue on the modernized L-39 Skyfox. After mastering them, they go to Čáslav to the 21st Tactical Air Base, where they fly on L-159 ALCA and transition to the Gripens. In the future, we want the entire training system to continue up to the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft,” revealed Tománek and added: “One of the main ambitions is to make the training more efficient. The new Zlín aircraft will allow us to take over part of the tasks that we have so far carried out on the L-39, but at a completely different price per flight hour. The training will thus be cheaper while fully meeting the requirements for quality and safety. This system is designed as hybrid – that means that even for these types of aircraft we will use simulators. We want young pilots from the beginning to perceive working with simulators as a natural part of training,” added the Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Army of the Czech Republic.

When asked by CZ DEFENCE whether the Czech Air Force had considered – following the example of some European armies – a direct transition of pilots from turboprop aircraft to supersonic machines, General Tománek replied: “Yes, there are armies that choose the path of transition from turboprop types directly to F-35. But we decided to keep the jet phase of training. Thanks to the L-39 Skyfox aircraft, we have a platform that perfectly simulates the behavior of a jet aircraft and prepares pilots for the transition to supersonic machines. The cost per flight hour is comparable, but the benefit for pilots is fundamental – they get to real control of a jet aircraft, which is irreplaceable in F-35 training.”

The Z-143LSi with fuselage number 0541 and the Z-242L with fuselage number 0543 were piloted by experienced CLV instructors Tomáš Bruštík and Martin Šonka. Tomáš Bruštík, who piloted the new type of aircraft during the flight from Otrokovice to Pardubice, described his first impressions as follows: “I flew it for the first time precisely from Otrokovice. Although the conditions were not ideal, the aircraft holds very well. The equipment is safe and beneficial, the aircraft is tolerant to mistakes, which is important especially for students who are just learning to fly,” said the instructor and continued: “The cockpit is clear, visibility from the aircraft is better, the engine has improved parameters, and the whole system already meets alliance standards. All this makes the aircraft a natural transition for the young generation who grew up with tablets – for them it will be only a small step to modern machines, perhaps even to the F-35,” added Bruštík, according to whom the new aircraft behaves more forgiving than older types and will thus make it easier for students to start.

“Around the 28th hour of flight, you can already tell whether someone has the prerequisites. But sometimes it happens only after 50 or 60 hours. This aircraft is more friendly, so it will be somewhat easier for students,” added the instructor and also appreciated the modern ‘glass cockpit,’ which corresponds to current alliance standards: “The old aircraft required the pilot to devote 80% of his attention to flying itself. Here it is already different. The systems are interconnected, clear, and close to what awaits pilots in real combat aircraft. The entire training thus becomes more logical and more efficient,” concluded Bruštík.

LOM PRAHA Director Jiří Protiva finally added that the new aircraft are part of a broader training concept that the state enterprise offers also to foreign partners: “Our goal is not only to rearm CLV but to offer a comprehensive training program. We will enable our customers to send their pilots to training in the system ‘from zero to hero’ – that is, from the very beginning up to the level when the pilot can sit in a combat aircraft, currently even of the fifth generation. The new Zlín aircraft form the first stage of this path. They are equipped with modern avionics, have a glass cockpit, and are very friendly for students and instructors,” explained Protiva and added: “Just as with the L-39 jet type, we will also use a simulator for the Zlín, which we plan to deploy in our simulation training center next to the full-scale simulator of the L-39. We consider simulators an essential part of training – they increase the quality of pilot preparation and shorten the duration of training,” added the Director of LOM PRAHA.

The modern approach to training is also confirmed by the recent obtaining of NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) certification. The LOM PRAHA Flight Training Center has thus officially become a training center for piston, jet, and helicopter pilots and can offer its services not only to the Army of the Czech Republic but also to partner armies within the Alliance.