Changing of the Guard
It’s the end of an era in the Czech Republic as the as the state-owned flight training centre (CLV) in Pardubice retires its last Aero L-39C Albatros training jets, replacing them with the Aero L-39NG Skyfox.
CLV was established in 2004 as a training centre for not only future Czech air force pilots, but also those from a number of foreign countries. For over 20 years CLV used the L-39C Albatros to give student pilots their first taste of fast jet flight and prepare them for more advanced aircraft.
The Albatros is a legendary and widely used aircraft of Czech design that first flew in 1968. Like the Albatros, the Skyfox is a product of the Aero company. The two aircraft are quite different to each other with the exception of a family resemblance.
Albatros retirement plans include a three aircraft formation flight in late August over the eastern part of the country, and then over the western part in early September.
Here’s some pictures I’ve taken of both types in CLV colours, mostly at Pardubice:
Pickled Wings 