L-39 Albatros flies in for USAF trial at Edwards

An Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros has arrived at the USAir Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California, for a six-month trial that could lead to two of the Czech-built advanced jet trainers being leased as partial replacements for the centre's now-retired Rockwell T-39s. The centre says the "flexible, yet inexpensive" L-39 can perform 70-80% of the T-39's mission, which includes test pilot training. The trial involves measuring flying, maintenance and cost performance in the overall test support mission.

Source: Flight International