Wow, that was something! The fighter flight is only a few weeks old and you can try it at only one place in the whole Czech Republic. So come and read what it was like.
Everyone who is not afraid of it can now fly for up to 30 minutes in the legendary Czechoslovak L-39 Albatros. The only limit is weight up to 108 kg and height up to 196 cm. I wasn't (too) scared, I fit in the cockpit without any problems and could go 4 kilometers above the ground, where I tasted the speed of 750 km/h and 5G overload during aerobatic stunts. You just have to experience this!
When work is also a passion
The whole experience started at the Brno - Tuřany airport, where I arrived with 2 to 3 hours to spare. From the very first minute I felt that it is not just a job for the local crew, it is mainly a passion. They enthusiastically discussed with me everything that interested me about this Czechoslovakian "fighter". They assured me that the plane is in 100% technical condition - it is taken care of by former service mechanics from Aero Vodochody, who know the L-39 to the last screw. And I'll be safe in the air too - it will be piloted by a former military pilot who has flown thousands of hours.
A bit of technical information
The L-39 subsonic jet trainer, as this beauty is properly called, with the registration OK-DDR, was manufactured by Aero Vodochody in May 1982. It served in the East German Army until 1990 and is deliberately kept in its original livery with its insignia and fuselage number 178. It's certainly no slouch, being over 12 metres long, almost 5 metres high and with a wingspan of over an impressive 9 metres. Without additional tanks, it can fly as far as 1,000 kilometres.
To Brno and the sky
But let's cut to the chase. For the first half an hour I learned a lot of interesting things about the aircraft from the chief mechanic. I was given a jumpsuit, a helmet and a safety training session where I got to practice how to leave the plane as quickly as possible if something went wrong. I also learned basic information on the controls. Well, here we go! Heart in my throat, butt firmly in the seat, so far.
750 km/h and a 5G overload to boot!
They're tightening my seat belt now and I can't wait to fly. There's still an engine test and a short pre-flight briefing, and the moment the airport control tower clears for take-off, it's time to take a deep breath and enjoy the experience. Why I need sturdy shoes and a spare shirt I soon learned. In aerobatics, proper footwear really comes in handy to dig into the floor. And the shirt? Trust me, you'll be wringing it out after this experience. Stunning speed, twists, turns... Awesome! But don't worry, if you don't feel like doing acrobatic stunts, there's no problem skipping them, it's all by appointment.
Back on the ground
We landed safely, and as soon as I climbed out of the cockpit with shaky knees, the pilot and I took the flight apart. I was even able to buy the camera footage and see not only the view of the scenery, but also how my expression changed during the stall. It was definitely worth it! I recommend this to anyone who is on an adrenaline rush. There will be no shortage of it here!
