Douglas Barrie/LONDON
Aero Vodochody's L-159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) was flown for the first time on 2 August. A further three flights were made before the aircraft was returned for work on planned structural modifications and vibration testing.
Flight testing of the aircraft is due to resume in November 1997, covering high angle-of-attack and high-speed elements of the flight envelope. Weapons trials are expected to begin in February 1998.
The first four flights of the L-159 ALCA, 72 of which are on order for the Czech air force, appear to have gone smoothly. On the 50-minute first flight the aircraft was flown to a maximum altitude of 15,000ft (4,575m) and reached a speed of 330kts.
The same day the aircraft was also flown inverted, with the pilot confident enough to also carry out an in-flight shut-down and re-start of the L-159's international Turbine Engine (ITEC) 28kN (6,300lb) thrust F124-GA-100 turbofan engine.
ITEC president Steve Bradley says that during the first flight "-the pilot carried out throttle jams and rolled the aircraft." While admitting that it is early days as far as the L-159 flight tests are concerned, he is delighted with the engine's performance.
The ALCA was demonstrated before senior Czech officials on 4 August with both Miloslav Vyborny, the Minister of Defence, and Lt Gen Ladislav Klima, the recently appointed air force commander-in-chief, in attendance.
Displaying the aircraft to senior government and defence officials appears to be a clear attempt by Aero Vodochody to win continued support for a project it sees as critical.
Aero Vodochody, AlliedSignal - of which ITEC is a subsidiary - and Boeing have set up a joint team to market the aircraft. Potential customers include former Warsaw Pact nations as well as countries like South Africa.
The latter could provide the site for weapons testing of the L-159. The Czech air force does not have a large enough trials area so the South African Air Force's (SAAF) Overburg test range may be used. Aero Vodochody has already held preliminary meetings with the SAAF to discuss the ALCA.
Boeing holds a stake in Aero Vodochody, along with CSA Czech Airlines. It is also offering the Czech air force the Boeing F/A-18 in competition with Lockheed Martin's F-16, the Dassault Mirage 2000, and the Saab/British Aerospace JAS39 Gripen.
Source: Flight International
