The L-39NG passed a five life cycles fatigue test

The New L-39NG jet aircraft successfully passed difficult fatigue tests of five lifespans simulation. All together that means five times 5,000 flight hours in a high designed load spectrum. The fatigue tests are running on the third prototype 7003 in the Czech Aviation Research Centre (VZLU).

The testing prototype has shown that the L-39NG should have three times longer lifespan than the original L-39 Albatross.

After five proven life cycles of the L-39NG aircraft, the complete non-destructive inspection of the aircraft airframe has started, than the fatigue test will continue. A sixth lifespan simulation is planned for early 2022, followed by a residual strength test with up to 120 percent of the limit load. After that, additional fatigue cycles of the landing gears will follow. The landing gear is designed to be extremely resistant. Finally, Aero Vodochody and VZLU will cooperate with the Czech Technical University in Prague on airframe analysis.