Photography by Jan Morgan
In the Air: Rime of the Cold War Mariner
October 1, 2004
Steve Maiman, my host for the demonstration flight, participates in a three-member L39 partnership. The partnership’s L39 is a fine low-flight-time example that was refurbished and painted in a U.S. Marines color scheme. A typical warbird owner, Maiman collects trainers and owns both a show-quality Stearman World War II primary trainer and a T-34 “Mentor,” a’50s Navy primary trainer.
We start the turbofan engine and latch the canopy as the climate control system begins to cool down the cockpit, making things comfortable under the hot California sun. Takeoff acceleration at first is leisurely, but the aircraft picks up speed rapidly once it starts rolling. As it breaks ground and the gear is retracted, the L39 is already past 150 knots and climbing at 2,000 feet per minute. There is no engine sound or vibration as we throttle back to hold the airspeed, respecting the airport traffic area speed limits. “The hardest thing to do is to keep the speed down below the limits around the airports and below 10,000 feet,” says Maiman.
Visibility over the nose is superb even in a steep climb. We reach cruise altitude of 15,000 feet with the pressurized cockpit quiet and comfortable, while maintaining 250 knots. So quiet is the aircraft that only standard David Clark headsets are necessary. The Albatros has manual flight controls with servo tabs to reduce control effort without resorting to complex hydraulic systems. Throughout the speed range of the aircraft, the controls remain light and precise. Rolls are easy, and loops can be initiated from level flight.
Returning to the airport, I discover that landing the L39 requires careful planning and practice. As with all jets–even two-seaters–it is important to anticipate the need for thrust, as there is a lag of a few seconds before useful thrust is available for climb or adjustment of the approach speed. Too much thrust and the aircraft floats off the end of the runway; too little, and the graceful L39 turns into a brick. Precision is key. “I try to practice emergency procedures and landings every flight,” says Maiman.
These jets might not be the best aircraft for cross-country trips, as limited range and luggage space are best suited to day trips within the range of about 460 to 575 miles. But this is not what these aircraft are about. Jet fighters and trainers offer a combination of speed, smoothness, power, control feel, and aerobatic capability available nowhere else in aviation. Maiman simplifies the appeal: “It looks great, feels great, and is just so much fun to fly.”
Air Flight Enterprises, spreng@cfl.rr.com
Air USA, www.air-usa.com
Fantasy Fighters/Warbird
Aerobatics, www.jetwarbird.com
Trade-A-Plane, www.trade-a-plane.com
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