Result Of Exclusive Partnership With Aero Vodochody And Williams International

In an exclusive partnership with Aero Vodochody and Williams International, Draken International is now offering next generation upgrades on L-39 aircraft in the Americas. Based in Lakeland, FL, Draken International is a leading provider of tactical flight support as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The L-39 upgrade program, or L-39NG upgrade, enables owners of Aero Vodochody L-39 aircraft in the Americas to implement a number of powerful enhancements to deliver significant improvements in performance, technological capability, aircraft availability and safety.

The L-39NG upgrade adds many modern and advanced capabilities that are critical for 21st century aviation. The key new feature is the light and fuel-efficient Williams International FJ44-4M engine, which delivers improved performance at speed, range and endurance. Further, a new electric starter allows the original APU to be removed with all its components, saving considerable weight. In the cockpit, new digital instruments are added as well as OEM overhauled ejection seats with fresh pyro. Additionally, a full IRAN of all major systems brings the aircraft up to current OEM compliance.

The upgrade offers numerous benefits:

• Decreased fuel consumption by approx. 15%
• Decreased maintenance costs – "Support by the hour" program fully covers scheduled maintenance, unscheduled maintenance, and foreign object damages
• Improved acceleration time – 3-5 seconds from idle to max vs. 9-12 seconds on existing AI-25TL engine
• Quicker maintenance turnaround – Major periodic inspections of FJ44-4M take 4 weeks vs. 4-6 months for overhaul of original AI-25TL engine
• Decreased aircraft weight by approx. 330 lbs. due to lighter engine and removal of heavy APU and balance weight

"As operators of numerous L-39 aircraft for contract air services, we know that it is a very capable aircraft platform, with excellent maneuverability, adaptability and overall performance," said Draken International CEO Jared Isaacman. "The L-39NG upgrade program represents the next generation of this remarkable aircraft and we are excited to bring this program to the Americas."

Draken is officially launching the L-39NG upgrade program at the Sun N' Fun International Fly-In & Expo starting April 21, 2015 in Lakeland, FL.

In addition to being the exclusive provider of the L-39NG upgrade program in the Americas, Draken also entered into an historic agreement with Aero Vodochody last year which established Draken as the first Aero Vodochody approved maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operation in the US. That agreement also gave Draken exclusive rights to market the L-39NG, Aero L-159 and future derivatives to customers in North and South America as well as undertake a portion of the aircraft manufacturing process in the United States.

(L-39 pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.L39NG.com