I fly my little PA 28 out of Camden Airport near Sydney Aust., and there are a couple of L39's operating there which I have been considering buying a ride in. Upon viewing this video, I think the descision has been made! Its not cheap, but it sure looks worth it!
If you are going to fly with somebody, Skip has got to be one of the most experienced pilots to fly with. He can fly an Unlimited Class Mustang 500mph around the course at Reno. I think you have to be very experienced and brave to do that. Nice video.
In Australia my dad had one about 4 years ago and he would spend anywhere from 10k usd for it's 50 hourly to 40k usd depending if it needed major work. Parts for the Ivchenko are cheaper then you might think, there is huge surpluses of them around the world. Still not cheap though that's why you don't keep them in a hanger you lease them to joyflights and operate them under someone elses Air Operators Certificate, not to profit but to negate some costs. Also depends how it is utilised.
An L-39 requires a Letter Of Authorization (LOA)from your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) after you pass a checkride. The normal FAR requirements, i.e. medical, plus a minimum of 1,000 hours of Pilot In Command (PIC). Recent turbine time a must, plus a very good working knowledge of the L-39 systems, flight envelope, and emergency procedures.
Thanks, but I did mean 435 GALLONS per hour. That is a maximum performance take off, followed by a 3 g verticle pull, the most load and throttle you could put on the engine. Doesn't mean you are going to do 100% of your flight this way. This L-39 burns about 340 GPH on climb, ballpark of 200 GPH for most aerobatics, and 140 GPH or so in cruise. That gets you 2 hours in cruise(330 gallons, 2300 lbs) easy. Hell it burns 70 GPH at idle!
Skip became our co-pilot on L1011 Ship 1 in 1986. We were flying 'stuff'. We flew into Palmdale over the hills to the South. Crossing the hills, Skip throttles ALL THE WAY BACK. Glides the mother in. Smooth as silk! Bill Weaver tried the same the next day. A little harder landing........ FUN MEMORIES!!
That _was_ incredible. I envy you! Hope to one day (after my studies) take PPL and maybe some aerobatics. And to one day catch a flight with a l-39, looks amazing! Is the flight done in a 'regulated' area or something - since you're flying so low? Here (Norway) there is a 500ft limit pretty much everywhere i think..
More or less true but the L-39 is not a Soviet design nor built, it's Czechoslovakian, they were available to the civilian market in the early 80s. They only just stopped making them about 10 years ago and they made nearly 3000+. Also as I mentioned many more aircraft now run the Ivchenko.
how much does it cost just to get a ride in one of these? and how would i get in touch with someone about that..lol definatly interested in savin up for a trip for this
@dudewanarace Why wouldn't you fly in a $40,000 one? may there be something wrong with it? (I'm interested to know, because I plan on buying one later in life).
I think that is 435lbs per hour, not gallons per hour. The L-39 holds 2300lbs of fuel internally, and one gallon of JP-4 weighs 6.84lbs. Do the math, and your endurance would be less than one hour. This doesnt make sense. I think its 435lbs per hour. it also doesnt make sense because when you do the basic division, the aircraft only holds roughly 330 something gallons, so there is no way that it was burning 435 GALLONS per hour....maybe POUNDS.
the reason that they are cheap.is that after the Soviet had fallen.these people in the military started to sell weapens tanks AKs planes to the consumer all around the world. and at a price u would never imagen how cheap they are compare to modern jet. back in the cold war they are about 10mill a piece
I fly my little PA 28 out of Camden Airport near Sydney Aust., and there are a couple of L39's operating there which I have been considering buying a ride in. Upon viewing this video, I think the descision has been made! Its not cheap, but it sure looks worth it!
If you are going to fly with somebody, Skip has got to be one of the most experienced pilots to fly with.
He can fly an Unlimited Class Mustang 500mph around the course at Reno.
I think you have to be very experienced and brave to do that.
Nice video.
Now that's what I call good flying.
I've GOT to get me one of these.
They start in Henderson, Nevada right next to Las Vegas. The Colorado river is maybe 20 miles away.
Skip gave me my LOA in the L-39, I will always cherish the oppurtunity I had to fly with him!!!!
In Australia my dad had one about 4 years ago and he would spend anywhere from 10k usd for it's 50 hourly to 40k usd depending if it needed major work.
Parts for the Ivchenko are cheaper then you might think, there is huge surpluses of them around the world. Still not cheap though that's why you don't keep them in a hanger you lease them to joyflights and operate them under someone elses Air Operators Certificate, not to profit but to negate some costs. Also depends how it is utilised.
@rhgrsh owning your own Eastern Bloc cold war era Jet, and taking it up for a flight whenever you want - Priceless
An L-39 requires a Letter Of Authorization (LOA)from your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) after you pass a checkride. The normal FAR requirements, i.e. medical, plus a minimum of 1,000 hours of Pilot In Command (PIC). Recent turbine time a must, plus a very good working knowledge of the L-39 systems, flight envelope, and emergency procedures.
Definitely lower than 50ft :-) must have been quite an experience. Great vid, great plane.
Thanks, but I did mean 435 GALLONS per hour. That is a maximum performance take off, followed by a 3 g verticle pull, the most load and throttle you could put on the engine. Doesn't mean you are going to do 100% of your flight this way. This L-39 burns about 340 GPH on climb, ballpark of 200 GPH for most aerobatics, and 140 GPH or so in cruise. That gets you 2 hours in cruise(330 gallons, 2300 lbs) easy. Hell it burns 70 GPH at idle!
An L39 ride with one of the best pilots in the world?! Sign me up!!
Skip became our co-pilot on L1011 Ship 1 in 1986. We were flying 'stuff'. We flew into Palmdale over the hills to the South. Crossing the hills, Skip throttles ALL THE WAY BACK. Glides the mother in. Smooth as silk! Bill Weaver tried the same the next day. A little harder landing........ FUN MEMORIES!!
UCD BNXT Cool story!
the pilots got balls to fly that fly haha must have been real fun
I would make a note on how much he said "Awsome" but hell I would do the EXACT same thing!
Fantastic video, thanks for sharing keep flying :O)
That _was_ incredible. I envy you! Hope to one day (after my studies) take PPL and maybe some aerobatics. And to one day catch a flight with a l-39, looks amazing! Is the flight done in a 'regulated' area or something - since you're flying so low? Here (Norway) there is a 500ft limit pretty much everywhere i think..
More or less true but the L-39 is not a Soviet design nor built, it's Czechoslovakian, they were available to the civilian market in the early 80s.
They only just stopped making them about 10 years ago and they made nearly 3000+. Also as I mentioned many more aircraft now run the Ivchenko.
Nice toy! Great video dude!
Brilliant.
how much does it cost just to get a ride in one of these? and how would i get in touch with someone about that..lol definatly interested in savin up for a trip for this
Brilliant video, bro :-)
@falcotje PPL does not stand for people in this instance, it stands for Private Pilot License.
So where was this and how much? Looks like Lk Mead? Havasu?
Man, That was awsome! :) It must be?
BTW, can you mention the name of the flight school/ company which offers this service ?
Thanks
@rhgrsh The joy of flying: priceless
@dudewanarace Why wouldn't you fly in a $40,000 one? may there be something wrong with it? (I'm interested to know, because I plan on buying one later in life).
Does the L39 have de-ice boots for all weather flying ?
@rhgrsh thanks for all the info. how many k can you fly without refueling 5000plus?
Sure you can fly longer than an hour. Just don't keep it at full power the entire time. Not long after takeoff, he pulls it back to about 270 gph.
I've always wondered, how do you record the conversations? Do you plug something into the audio jack?
Where are you guys on the Colorado?
Was this over Lake Powell?
I know of a few places you caan get a ride in an L-39...
Awesome !!!!
Yes that is us jet and I'm from SLOVAKIA
This is not a American aircraft so the fuel gagues may be in liters. Then again the gauges may have been changed.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@rhgrsh Feeling like your Tom Cruise in Top Gun... priceless
That may be true, but would you fly in it? I sure wouldn't...
@falcotje with a type rating.
you are so lucky
I think that is 435lbs per hour, not gallons per hour. The L-39 holds 2300lbs of fuel internally, and one gallon of JP-4 weighs 6.84lbs. Do the math, and your endurance would be less than one hour. This doesnt make sense. I think its 435lbs per hour. it also doesnt make sense because when you do the basic division, the aircraft only holds roughly 330 something gallons, so there is no way that it was burning 435 GALLONS per hour....maybe POUNDS.
your pilot was really crazy :P (in a good way)
how much ? and how do i book?
hell i was going to buy one but i'm not going to have any money left to fly
@Bennyclay661 no way. i imagine
Admit it, if you could afford it, you would do it too.
@peanut9898 Feeling like a troll... over $9000
@RainbowManification i never troll, i post a thoughtful opinion.
AFTERBURN
Uhhh.. Having done both, this is not a true statement.
the reason that they are cheap.is that after the Soviet had fallen.these people in the military started to sell weapens tanks AKs planes to the consumer all around the world. and at a price u would never imagen how cheap they are compare to modern jet. back in the cold war they are about 10mill a piece
Over 400 gallons per hour? Ffuucckk that..
@rhgrsh I'll take six!
L-39 Albatros Jet can beat SU-35 mkm, F-22, F35, and Jas-39
@peanut9898 so what was so shit about my comment in the first place?
Are you serious
not if they armed the jet
Turbo jet...no afterburner
I've seen them for only $30,000
I've seen one for $40,000
he should not have a star on it, but Czech flag...
normal ppl (okay rich ppl) can buy these things:S
FSX is better