In flight training, the “Albík” – or the L-39 Albatros subsonic jet trainer – enjoys a reputation that has left a significant mark on the history of Czech aviation. The Flight Training Center of the state-owned enterprise LOM PRAHA has had the honor of operating the C (Training) version since 2004.

As part of the modernization of the aircraft fleet, the L-39 Skyfox “C” models from the Pardubice CLV are being phased out. The final flight of a Type C aircraft from the CLV training fleet is scheduled for September 2, 2026, and the farewell flight of the three L-39Cs will be piloted by Tomáš Bruštík, Radoslav Matula, and Ján Hromník.

The first X–02 prototype took off on November 4, 1968, with Rudolf Duchoň at the controls. In March 1972, the 2nd Training Aviation Regiment of the VVLŠ SNP in Košice took delivery of five aircraft from the L-39C pre-production series. After the division of the republic, some of the L-39C aircraft remained at the Aviation Training Regiment in Přerov for the training of Czech Army pilots and, with the establishment of the 34th Training Air Base, were transferred to Pardubice in December 1994. These were eight aircraft: Nos. 0103, 0113, 0115, 0440, 0441, 0444, 0445, and 0448.

On April 1, 2004, a new organizational unit of LOM PRAHA s.p. was established – the Pardubice Aviation Training Center – which leased L-39C aircraft from the Czech Army for the ongoing training of military pilots. The first training flights took place as early as April 7, 2004. Since 2008, LOM PRAHA s.p. has had these aircraft placed under its property management authority.

The “C” models were used to train military pilots who were transitioning from the Z-142C AF propeller-driven “Zlín” aircraft. Their cockpits were occupied not only by Czech flight personnel but also by foreign military pilots.

It goes without saying that during more than two decades of operation, the Pardubice L-39Cs have experienced both unfortunate and fortunate incidents. Let us recall, for example, July 2010 and the technical malfunction (engine fire) of the aircraft with fuselage number 0440, during which both pilots successfully ejected and the aircraft was destroyed by the impact with the ground and the subsequent fire.

On the other hand, in February 2021, the fleet of “LOM” Albíks reached a significant milestone – a total of 20,000 flight hours! For aviation enthusiasts – this was achieved by aircraft No. 0445.

Since its founding, the LOM PRAHA Aviation Training Center has trained more than one hundred highly skilled military pilots on the L-39C for the Czech Army, and several dozen foreign pilots have completed training there in accordance with customer requirements.

Thanks to regular maintenance and the work of the technical staff, the Albatroses have remained a reliable part of the training fleet. The L-39C undoubtedly deserves recognition for its long and successful service at CLV Pardubice.