How do you see the operation of the L-39 with more than a decade of experience? Yes, the L-39 was available in sufficient quantities in the USA and supportable. Why did you decide to start using the L-39? Was it just because of the availability of the plane in the USA, or was it for different reasons? If I had to pick just one it would be the L-159 for sure. My favourites would be the L-39, A-4N and L-159.
#Draken plane plus#
I have flown probably a dozen different types of business jets (Citation III, V, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, Mustang, Premier Jet), plus numerous ex-military aircraft including the MiG-29, several variants of the A-4 Skyhawk (TA-4K, TA-4F, A-4L, A-4K, A-4N), MB-339, T-33, L-39 and L-159. What types of aircraft have you had a chance to fly with and what has been your favourite? In November 2011, we purchased our first fleet of aircraft from the New Zealand government to include A-4K Skyhawks and MB-339s, and so Draken International was born. Of course, there was no actual demand or government requirements at the time, but we had overwhelming belief in the eventual need for the service. Draken would differentiate in that regard – by ultimately possessing substantial capacity and unique capabilities. While there were one or two companies performing a similar service, none possessed a very large quantity of aircraft or tactically relevant capabilities (like radars). After a successful season flying formation acrobatics in L-39s, T-33 and MiG-17s across the United States and Canada, we decided to transform into a commercial organization flying high performance aircraft on behalf of the Department of Defence. How did Draken start and how did you, from a financial sector, come to work in military aviation?ĭraken evolved from the Black Diamond Jet Team that was started in the summer of 2010. With 21 jets to be delivered in total, the L-159 plays a significant role in Draken future as well as in the training of US Air Force, and the Navy and Marine Corps. An agile US company Draken International became the first buyer and it soon introduced the L-159 to a very promising aggressor market. The recent return of AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE to the traditional aviation markets was, no doubt, triggered by the sale of the stored L-159s a few years ago. An interview about Aero aircraft with Jared Isaacman, Draken International CEO