Babcock International has secured a contract to supply an Aero L-39 jet for flight test training at France’s test pilot school, École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception, or EPNER, European Security and Defence reported Friday.
What Missions Will the L-39 Support?
The jet will support instruction and evaluation missions that allow trainees to assess aircraft performance and handling characteristics in operational conditions. It will also provide adversary and target simulation support to the French defense procurement agency’s flight test organization, Direction Générale de l’Armement – Essais en Vol, or DGA EV. The aircraft will be used for technical missions that include maintenance training and refresher activities for DGA EV personnel and release flights for qualified EPNER instructors and test pilots.
Where Did L-39 Come From?
The L-39 being provided is one of 11 aircraft Babcock acquired in December 2024 from Apache Aviation. The fleet was previously used by the Breitling Jet Team until the civilian aerobatic unit ceased operations in 2019.
Pierre Basquin, chief executive of aviation and CEO for France at Babcock, said the agreement underscores the company’s role in supporting French military flight test requirements, adding that the contract “paves the way for further opportunities, particularly in operational training and the training of international pilots.”