First Flight in Our L-39 Did NOT Go As Planned

Video from the channel Matt Guthmiller about Aero L-39 Albatros, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 23:07. Language: English. Video type: Onboard.

Video recorded aboard an Aero L-39 Albatros during the new owner's first flight at the controls, guided from the other seat by a pilot experienced on the type. It covers engine start, taxi, takeoff, a session of maneuvers, and a landing that ends up at a different airfield than planned, because a storm covers the departure field.

During engine start, the instructor counts the seconds: the engine lights up in about eight and stabilizes around fifteen. Before taxiing, the speed brakes, the hydraulic system and the flight controls are checked. Takeoff is made with flaps at half, a full tank and some crosswind from the left, heading south to get away from the rain. After climbing to about 13,000 feet, the pilot flies several loops of about 4 g, starting at around 320 knots, and aileron rolls between 240 and 300 knots. The instructor also shows how the aircraft warns with vibrations before entering a stall and how, with coordinated controls, the nose simply drops and the aircraft recovers once pressure is released and power is added. He stresses how stable the aircraft is. He also explains the foot restraints, something typical of Russian aircraft in his view, meant to keep the feet from coming loose in inverted flight, and mentions that the brakes have an anti-skid system.

The departure airfield's automated weather report announces a storm with heavy rain and lightning in all quadrants. The crew abandons a first approach attempt in the face of the rain curtain. With about 40 minutes of fuel left, they divert to Huntsville Executive Airport (KMDQ), about 60 miles away, which has a 6,500-foot runway and clear skies. The final approach is flown at about 120 knots, with the gear down and speed brakes out, and the aircraft rolls to the end of the runway braking gently. Once on the ground, the rest of the team comments on the storm they avoided.