The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia to meet requirements for a “C-39″ during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. It was the first of the second-generation jet trainers, and the first turbofan-powered trainer produced, and was later updated as the L-59 Super Albatros and as the L-139 (prototype L-39 with engine Garrett TFE731). The design is still produced in an evolved state as the L-159 ALCA, more than 2,800 L-39s have served with over 30 air forces around the world. The Albatros – the most widely used jet trainer in the world – is versatile, seeing duty in light-attack missions as well as in basic and advanced pilot training.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. Most MiG-17 variants cannot carry air-to-air missiles, but shot down many aircraft with its cannons. It is an advanced development of the very similar appearing MiG-15 of the Korean War, and was used as an effective threat against supersonic fighters of the United States in the Vietnam War. It was also briefly known as the “Type 38″, by U.S. Air Force designation prior to the development of NATO codes.
The team’s signature headline performance includes the following maneuvers:
Diamond Loop flown with 4 aircraft inches apart
Diamond Clover Loop flown with 4 aircraft inches apart
“Make-A-Wish Roll” flown by 5 aircraft, consisting of the solo Mig 17 barrel rolling around the diamond formation
Diamond Roll flown with 4 aircraft inches apart
Tail Slide flown by a single aircraft demonstrating zero airspeed and tumbling back down to earth
Opposing passes, with two Mig-17s
Echelon, Belly and Banana photo passes
Formation changes in the middle of high-G maneuvers
