Aero L-39 Albatros vs Grob G 115: Specs Compared

FORCETALLY

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ATrainer aircraft

Aero L-39 Albatros

Military trainer aircraft Light ground-attack aircraft

Credit

Milan Nykodym · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

Grob G 115 — licensed reference photograph

BTrainer aircraft

Grob G 115

Basic trainer

Credit

Alan Wilson · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Aero L-39 AlbatrosL-39C · Length

12.13 m

Length source ↗

Grob G 115G 115E · Length

7.79 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

19 of 89 rows sourced on both sides

12.13mL-39C · Length

7.79mG 115E · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

12.13 m

L-39C · Length

Single source

12.13 m (39 ft 10 in)^[source]

7.79 m

G 115E · Length

Single source

Configuration

Details

Aero L-39 Albatros and Grob G 115 configuration
Specification	Aero L-39 Albatros	Grob G 115
Type	Military trainer aircraft Light ground-attack aircraft^[source]	Basic trainer^[source]
National origin	Czechoslovakia^[source]	—
Manufacturer	Aero Vodochody^[source]	Grob Aircraft^[source]
Designer	Jan Vlček^[source]	—
Status	In service

Primary users	Soviet Air Force (historical) Ukrainian Air Force Czechoslovak Air Force Libyan Air Force^[source]	Royal Air Force Egyptian Air Force Finnish Air Force Royal Navy Army Air Corps (UK)^[source]

Number built	2,900^[source]	—

Manufactured	1971–1996 2015–present (L-39 Skyfox)^[source]	1985–present^[source]

Introduction date	28 March 1972 with the Czechoslovak Air Force^[source]	1999^[source]

First flight	4 November 1968^[source]	November 1985^[source]

Developed from	Aero L-29 Delfín^[source]	—

Developed into	Aero L-59 Super Albatros Aero L-159 ALCA Aero L-39 Skyfox^[source]	—

Airfoil	NACA 64A012 modified^[source]	Eppler 696^[source]

Never exceed speed	980 km/h (610 mph, 530 kn) / M0.8^[source]	341 km/h (212 mph, 184 kn)^[source]

Time to altitude	5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 5 minutes^[source]	—

Wing loading	250 kg/m 2 (51 lb/sq ft)^[source]	—

Thrust/weight	0.37^[source]	—

Take-off roll	530 m (1,740 ft)^[source]	—

Landing roll	650 m (2,130 ft)^[source]	—

Hardpoints	Up to 284 kg (626 lb) of stores on two external hardpoints^[source]	—

Former operator · Abkhazia	Abkhazia^[source]	—

Former operator · Cambodia	Cambodia^[source]	—

Former operator · East Germany	East Germany^[source]	—

Former operator · Iraq	Iraq^[source]	—

Former operator · Lithuania	Lithuania^[source]	—

Former operator · Thailand	Thailand^[source]	—

Role	high-performance jet trainer^[source]	—

Source measurement	One of the replacements for the L-39 Albatros was the Aero L-159 ALCA , a modernised version of the L-39. Originally, Aero Vodochody had intended to develop the L-159 in partnership with Elbit, but the Czech Ministry of Defense instead selected Rockwell Collins to partner on the program. The limited success of the L-159 led Aero to announce at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow that it was developing an upgraded version of the L-39, designated L-39NG ( Skyfox ), to compete with the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and British Aerospace Hawk . The L-39 Skyfox replaces the AI-25 turbofan with a Williams FJ44 engine; the airframe is modified, the wingtip fuel tanks being eliminated, and a new suite of avionics will be provided. The first flight of the L-39 Skyfox was in December 2018, and final military type certification was granted by the Czech Military Aviation Authority in 2022. The first production L-39NG is expected to fly by the end of 2022.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The low-set, straight wing has a double-taper planform, 2½-deg dihedral from the roots, a relatively low aspect ratio , and 100 litres (26 US gal; 22 imp gal) fuel tanks permanently attached to the wingtips .^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Operational g-force limits at 4,200 kilograms (9,300 lb) are +8/-4 g.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A long, pointed nose leads back to the tandem cockpit, in which the student and instructor sit on Czech-built VS-1 ejection seats under individual canopies, which are opened manually and are hinged on the right. The rear seat, typically used by the instructor, is elevated slightly to readily enable observation and guidance of the student's actions in the forward position. The design of the cockpit, panel layout and many of its fittings resemble or are identical in function to those of other commonly used Soviet aircraft; for example, the procedure for deploying the ejection seat is exactly the same as for the Mikoyan MiG-29 . The cockpit is partially pressurized, requiring the air crew to wear oxygen masks when flying in excess of 23,000 feet. A gyro gunsight for weapon-aiming purposes is typically present in the forward position only.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A single turbofan engine , an Ivchenko AI-25 TL (made in the Soviet Union ) is positioned in the rear fuselage, fed through shoulder-mounted, semi-circular air intakes (fitted with splitter plates ) just behind the cockpit and the tailpipe below the horizontal tailplane. The engine has a time between overhaul (TBO) of 1,000 flight hours; it is allegedly cheaper than the majority of turbine engines to overhaul. Five rubber bag fuel tanks are located in the fuselage behind the cockpit. Several heavy radio units are typically installed in an aft avionics bay; these are often removed on civilian-operated aircraft and replaced with a 70-gallon fuel tank. Additional fuel tanks can be fitted in the rear cockpit position and externally underneath the wings; the tip-tanks can also be expanded for a greater fuel capacity.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Russian Air Force in 1991, the newly formed service found itself with hundreds of L-39 aircraft, the majority of which were surplus to their training requirements. According to author Stephan Wilkinson, by 2005, Russia was seeking to potentially sell up to 800 of their L-39s, which were receiving only a basic level of maintenance once per month while their fate was being decided. Starting in the early 1990s, the Russian Air Force has pursued the development of a domestically built jet trainer, for which the Yakovlev Yak-130 was selected; the Yak-130 shall eventually replace the L-39 in Russian service within its operational roles.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Operational history / Russia; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage L-39CM (CM for Cvičná modernizovaná – modernised training)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Single-seat target tug version for Czechoslovakia. Equipped to tow KT-04 target on 1,700 m (5,600 ft) cable. Prototype plus eight production aircraft built^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Interim weapon trainer variant for export. Four pylons stressed for 500 kg (1,100 lb) (inboard) and 250 kg (550 lb) (outboard), with total external load of 1,150 kg (2,500 lb). First flew 25 June 1975, with initial deliveries to Iraq in 1977. 337 built.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Significantly upgraded L-39ZO for armed training and light attack, employing sturdier landing gear, a higher payload (total 1,290 kg (2,844 lb)) and notably provision for a GSh-23L 23-millimeter twin-barreled cannon attached in a conformal pod under the pilots' compartment, having a 150-round magazine within the airframe. Outer pylons wired to carry K-13 or R-60 air-to-air missiles . Two prototypes, with first flying on 29 September 1976. 208 aircraft delivered.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Aero L-39MS is a second generation military trainer aircraft developed from the firm's earlier L-39. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, a vastly updated cockpit, and a more powerful (21.6 kN (4,850 lbf)) Lotarev DV-2 engine, allowing operation at higher weights and speeds (max speed 872 km/h (542 mph)). First flight on 30 September 1986. It was later designated as the Aero L-59.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Revised version with western avionics and 17.99 kN (4,045 lbf) Garrett TFE731-4-1T engine. Single prototype built.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On 26 September 1987, Mihai Smighelschi, a 21-year-old student of the Romanian Air Force Academy , flew an L-39ZA trainer to Turkey and requested political asylum . His aircraft was later recovered and onboard data recorders showed that he had flown no higher than 150 m (490 ft) above ground at 700 km/h (430 mph) to evade radar detection. Smighelschi had less than 100 hours at the time, including high-school glider training, and less than 3 hours on the L-39ZA. Without satellite navigation or any maps, he had navigated a straight line over Romania , Bulgaria and Turkey using only ground marks and the memory of a map of Europe present at the Academy. He eventually landed in Kirklareli , Turkey, on a street near several jeeps that seemed to have American insignia, damaging the aircraft's front wheel and the nose.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Notable accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 12.13 m (39 ft 10 in)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 9.46 m (31 ft 0 in)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 8 in)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 18.8 m 2 (202 sq ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 3,455 kg (7,617 lb)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine, 16.87 kN (3,790 lbf) thrust^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 750 km/h (470 mph, 400 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Never exceed speed : 980 km/h (610 mph, 530 kn) / M0.8^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 1,100 km (680 mi, 590 nmi)(internal fuel)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Ferry range: 1,750 km (1,090 mi, 940 nmi) (internal and external fuel)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Endurance: two hours and 30 minutes (internal fuel), three hours and 50 minutes (internal and external fuel)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 21 m/s (4,100 ft/min)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Time to altitude: 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 5 minutes^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Take-off roll: 530 m (1,740 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Landing roll: 650 m (2,130 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—

Source measurement

One of the replacements for the L-39 Albatros was the Aero L-159 ALCA , a modernised version of the L-39. Originally, Aero Vodochody had intended to develop the L-159 in partnership with Elbit, but the Czech Ministry of Defense instead selected Rockwell Collins to partner on the program. The limited success of the L-159 led Aero to announce at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow that it was developing an upgraded version of the L-39, designated L-39NG ( Skyfox ), to compete with the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and British Aerospace Hawk . The L-39 Skyfox replaces the AI-25 turbofan with a Williams FJ44 engine; the airframe is modified, the wingtip fuel tanks being eliminated, and a new suite of avionics will be provided. The first flight of the L-39 Skyfox was in December 2018, and final military type certification was granted by the Czech Military Aviation Authority in 2022. The first production L-39NG is expected to fly by the end of 2022.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The low-set, straight wing has a double-taper planform, 2½-deg dihedral from the roots, a relatively low aspect ratio , and 100 litres (26 US gal; 22 imp gal) fuel tanks permanently attached to the wingtips .^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Operational g-force limits at 4,200 kilograms (9,300 lb) are +8/-4 g.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A long, pointed nose leads back to the tandem cockpit, in which the student and instructor sit on Czech-built VS-1 ejection seats under individual canopies, which are opened manually and are hinged on the right. The rear seat, typically used by the instructor, is elevated slightly to readily enable observation and guidance of the student's actions in the forward position. The design of the cockpit, panel layout and many of its fittings resemble or are identical in function to those of other commonly used Soviet aircraft; for example, the procedure for deploying the ejection seat is exactly the same as for the Mikoyan MiG-29 . The cockpit is partially pressurized, requiring the air crew to wear oxygen masks when flying in excess of 23,000 feet. A gyro gunsight for weapon-aiming purposes is typically present in the forward position only.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A single turbofan engine , an Ivchenko AI-25 TL (made in the Soviet Union ) is positioned in the rear fuselage, fed through shoulder-mounted, semi-circular air intakes (fitted with splitter plates ) just behind the cockpit and the tailpipe below the horizontal tailplane. The engine has a time between overhaul (TBO) of 1,000 flight hours; it is allegedly cheaper than the majority of turbine engines to overhaul. Five rubber bag fuel tanks are located in the fuselage behind the cockpit. Several heavy radio units are typically installed in an aft avionics bay; these are often removed on civilian-operated aircraft and replaced with a 70-gallon fuel tank. Additional fuel tanks can be fitted in the rear cockpit position and externally underneath the wings; the tip-tanks can also be expanded for a greater fuel capacity.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Russian Air Force in 1991, the newly formed service found itself with hundreds of L-39 aircraft, the majority of which were surplus to their training requirements. According to author Stephan Wilkinson, by 2005, Russia was seeking to potentially sell up to 800 of their L-39s, which were receiving only a basic level of maintenance once per month while their fate was being decided. Starting in the early 1990s, the Russian Air Force has pursued the development of a domestically built jet trainer, for which the Yakovlev Yak-130 was selected; the Yak-130 shall eventually replace the L-39 in Russian service within its operational roles.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Operational history / Russia; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

L-39CM (CM for Cvičná modernizovaná – modernised training)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Single-seat target tug version for Czechoslovakia. Equipped to tow KT-04 target on 1,700 m (5,600 ft) cable. Prototype plus eight production aircraft built^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Interim weapon trainer variant for export. Four pylons stressed for 500 kg (1,100 lb) (inboard) and 250 kg (550 lb) (outboard), with total external load of 1,150 kg (2,500 lb). First flew 25 June 1975, with initial deliveries to Iraq in 1977. 337 built.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Significantly upgraded L-39ZO for armed training and light attack, employing sturdier landing gear, a higher payload (total 1,290 kg (2,844 lb)) and notably provision for a GSh-23L 23-millimeter twin-barreled cannon attached in a conformal pod under the pilots' compartment, having a 150-round magazine within the airframe. Outer pylons wired to carry K-13 or R-60 air-to-air missiles . Two prototypes, with first flying on 29 September 1976. 208 aircraft delivered.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Aero L-39MS is a second generation military trainer aircraft developed from the firm's earlier L-39. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, a vastly updated cockpit, and a more powerful (21.6 kN (4,850 lbf)) Lotarev DV-2 engine, allowing operation at higher weights and speeds (max speed 872 km/h (542 mph)). First flight on 30 September 1986. It was later designated as the Aero L-59.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Revised version with western avionics and 17.99 kN (4,045 lbf) Garrett TFE731-4-1T engine. Single prototype built.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

On 26 September 1987, Mihai Smighelschi, a 21-year-old student of the Romanian Air Force Academy , flew an L-39ZA trainer to Turkey and requested political asylum . His aircraft was later recovered and onboard data recorders showed that he had flown no higher than 150 m (490 ft) above ground at 700 km/h (430 mph) to evade radar detection. Smighelschi had less than 100 hours at the time, including high-school glider training, and less than 3 hours on the L-39ZA. Without satellite navigation or any maps, he had navigated a straight line over Romania , Bulgaria and Turkey using only ground marks and the memory of a map of Europe present at the Academy. He eventually landed in Kirklareli , Turkey, on a street near several jeeps that seemed to have American insignia, damaging the aircraft's front wheel and the nose.^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Notable accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 12.13 m (39 ft 10 in)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 9.46 m (31 ft 0 in)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 8 in)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 18.8 m 2 (202 sq ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 3,455 kg (7,617 lb)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 1 × Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine, 16.87 kN (3,790 lbf) thrust^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 750 km/h (470 mph, 400 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Never exceed speed : 980 km/h (610 mph, 530 kn) / M0.8^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 1,100 km (680 mi, 590 nmi)(internal fuel)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Ferry range: 1,750 km (1,090 mi, 940 nmi) (internal and external fuel)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Endurance: two hours and 30 minutes (internal fuel), three hours and 50 minutes (internal and external fuel)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 21 m/s (4,100 ft/min)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Time to altitude: 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 5 minutes^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Take-off roll: 530 m (1,740 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Landing roll: 650 m (2,130 ft)^[source]Aero L-39 Albatros · Specifications (L-39C); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Fuel capacity	—	143 L (31 imp gal; 38 US gal) usable^[source]

Aspect ratio	—	8.2:1^[source]

Propellers	—	3-bladed Hoffmann HO-V343K-V/183GY Constant-speed propeller , 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) diameter^[source]

Stall speed	—	91 km/h (57 mph, 49 kn) (60 degree flap)^[source]

g limits	—	+ 6.0/ - 3.0^[source]

Country of origin	—	Deutschland^[source]Country of design · Entwurfsland

Reported operators	Reported operator · Afghanistan Reported operator · Algeria Reported operator · Angola Reported operator · Armenia Reported operator · Azerbaijan Reported operator · Bangladesh Reported operator · Belarus Reported operator · Bulgaria Reported operator · Central African Republic Reported operator · Cuba Reported operator · Czech Republic Reported operator · Egypt Reported operator · Equatorial Guinea Reported operator · Estonia Reported operator · Ethiopia Reported operator · France Reported operator · Georgia Reported operator · Ghana Reported operator · Hungary Reported operator · Kazakhstan Reported operator · Kyrgyzstan Reported operator · Libya Reported operator · Latvia Reported operator · Mali Reported operator · Mozambique Reported operator · Netherlands Reported operator · Nigeria Reported operator · North Korea Reported operator · Romania Reported operator · Russia Reported operator · Slovakia Reported operator · South Sudan Reported operator · Syria Reported operator · Tajikistan Reported operator · Tunisia Reported operator · Turkmenistan Reported operator · Uganda Reported operator · Ukraine Reported operator · United States Reported operator · Uzbekistan Reported operator · Vietnam Reported operator · Yemen	—