BeechTalk - BT - L-39 Operators?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Jul 2023, 09:29

Thanks for posting pics of your progress. I've only had a few flights in an L-39, and it's way cool.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Jul 2023, 21:28

Username Protected wrote:

made new lenses and added LED lighting to all annunciators, and the flaps.

That looks dramatically better than any L-39 I've flown.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Jul 2023, 21:36

The ones I have seen seem to not fly much

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Jul 2023, 09:17

Username Protected wrote:

The ones I have seen seem to not fly much

Jim had a local flight path he often took. With the Cub it was about 45 minutes. With the Griffon Powered Spitfire it was about 10 minutes.
Cub flew more as it was so slow.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Jul 2023, 09:55

Having actually operated warbirds, and a vintage jet (T-33), I have lots of appreciation for those who try to keep some of these "less common" birds flying, and who enjoy both learning the mechanical as well as the flying aspects of their operation.

Much less admiration for those who snipe at them on Beechtalk.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2023, 14:08

Username Protected wrote:

The ones I have seen seem to not fly much

I guess you're not really looking. there are ~275 in the US, and probably 15 at OSH. seems like they are flying plenty.

and I fly the $h!t out of mine.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jul 2023, 19:55

Username Protected wrote:

The ones I have seen seem to not fly much

I guess you're not really looking. there are ~275 in the US, and probably 15 at OSH. seems like they are flying plenty.

and I fly the $h!t out of mine.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jul 2023, 21:09

Username Protected wrote:

My hangar partner had one in a partnership with another pilot for several years and AFaIK they flew it twice. Once to get it home and once to get it to a pre-buy. I spent some time several years ago helping to install some avionics and a different oxygen system. I had hoped to get a ride or two for that but no such luck.

But there's another one owned by another pilot I know that was flying it a lot. That one has a different engine but I don't know if that makes it less expensive to fly.

Lance-
Come to PGV and I’ll be glad to take you for a flight.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jul 2023, 21:51

Username Protected wrote:

My hangar partner had one in a partnership with another pilot for several years and AFaIK they flew it twice. Once to get it home and once to get it to a pre-buy. I spent some time several years ago helping to install some avionics and a different oxygen system. I had hoped to get a ride or two for that but no such luck.

But there's another one owned by another pilot I know that was flying it a lot. That one has a different engine but I don't know if that makes it less expensive to fly.

Lance-
Come to PGV and I’ll be glad to take you for a flight.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jul 2023, 22:28

Great to see so many L-39s at Osh. We were able to get a great Friday night photo flight in as the weather not only held off, but gave great lighting. Photo bird was Panchito.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Jul 2023, 08:08

Amazing pics!

Who lost a canopy departing OSH?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Jul 2023, 11:19

Username Protected wrote:

Amazing pics!

Who lost a canopy departing OSH?

I believe it was a green L-39, but I'm not sure exactly who? We had just taken off (tough getting a 6 ship to taxi out with all of the departures) on 18 for a memorial flyover for Snort and I believe it happened 10-15 minutes after that on 27? I saw one picture, looked like a front canopy but it was hard to tell. Certainly not the first to lose a canopy on takeoff and won't be the last.