Filip Kulstrunk, the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Aero Vodochody Aerospace, is steering the helm of the world’s most storied training aircraft manufacturer. Renowned for his down-to-earth and transparent approach, Filip champions strong customer relationships and forward-thinking strategies. In an exclusive interview with Kateřina Urbanovová, Editor-in-Chief of ACE Magazine, Filip delves into the company’s remarkable year, spotlighting key production achievements, navigating challenges, and unveiling future ambitions. Discover how under Filip’s visionary leadership, Aero Vodochody continues to set the gold standard in military aviation training.
It has been a year since the launch of serial production of the L-39NG. How do you evaluate the first year of production, and what were the main challenges you faced?
Aircraft production has been successfully running since 2021, but from 2023 we have achieved full serial production. We aim to reach our maximum capacity of producing 12 aircraft per year, and we are currently on track to achieve this. At the beginning of this year, we reached the desired monthly rate of one aircraft per month, which is very positive as it allows us to meet the schedules set by our customers. At the same time, we ramped up our production of key aerostructures programs.
We have accelerated significantly compared to last year and successfully completed the ramp-up phase, investing approximately 100 million CZK primarily into the aircraft structure production, wing assembly, and final assembly. The production process is now running well and is under control. A major challenge was successfully implementing these investments in a relatively short timeframe and at the same time, strengthening our team, which now has over 1700 people compared to 1400 in 2021. Securing qualified personnel in today’s market is a significant achievement. Another challenge was managing our supply chain to ensure on-time delivery and stable prices which was difficult due to global events such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
You recently presented the first L-39NG aircraft intended for LOM PRAHA. Can you tell us how the customer reacted and how the demonstration flight went?
The customer’s reaction was very positive. We produced and flew the aircraft ahead of the contractual schedule. We fulfilled the promise we made to LOM that the first aircraft would be delivered by the end of 2024. This is important because LOM needs the aircraft for training their own pilots and technicians, and to integrate the aircraft into operation before training for the Czech Army commences in mid-2025. The entire event was highly publicized and successful.
Aero is delivering four L-39NG aircraft with an option for another four to LOM PRAHA. What are the plans for expanding this cooperation in the future?
We plan to deliver the first four aircraft gradually by mid-next year—two this year and two by the end of Q2 2025. However, this will not be enough to satisfy the expected requirements for pilot training by the Czech Air Force. We believe LOM will need up to eight aircraft by the end of 2026 in order to ensure sufficient numbers of Czech pilots are trained to fly the F-35 when it arrives. Currently, we are still fully focused on successful delivery and introduction into service of the first four aircraft, while we are helping shape the environment to allow for exercising the option for the next four aircraft over the next year.
Simultaneously, we see further potential in delivering another four aircraft to LOM, as LOM CLV Pardubice is an officially accredited campus within the NATO Flying Training in Europe (NFTI). Within this program, CLV will utilize its capacity and capabilities for the training of pilots of other nations within the alliance. This is a major opportunity not just for CLV to raise its status as a world-class jet pilot training campus, but for the Czech Republic, to contribute to NATO requirements. We therefore believe that the next four aircraft will be acquired and utilized directly for this purpose.
The L-39NG aircraft will play a key role in training pilots of the Czech Air Force. What are the main advantages of these aircraft for basic and advanced pilot training?
With the L-39NG, the Czech Air Force ensures smooth continuity of the current training system that functions in the Czech Republic for many years. As for the aircraft itself, the L-39NG is structurally similar to the old L-39, however, we did several major improvements to improve flight characteristics, efficiency, and pilot safety. Moreover, we inserted brand new avionic systems and technologies to significantly increase the range of training procedures. Specifically, the onboard embedded training system allows simulation of various complex scenarios and tactical maneuvers, which makes the aircraft more suitable for training of modern 4th and 5th generation aircraft.
In addition, we added a comprehensive ground-based training system, made of a learning management system, a full suite of simulators, and a mission planning and debriefing systems. We are on track to interconnect all the systems to enable fully connected pilot training in the aircraft and simulators on the ground, with virtual and constructive targets incorporated into complex training scenarios. This way, pilots can train maneuvers and procedures that couldn’t be practiced on the old L-39.
On the left stands the president of Aero Vodochody, Viktor Sotona, and on the right stands the director of LOM Praha, Jiří Protiva, during the ceremonial flight demonstration of the L-39NG aircraft of Aero Vodochody for LOM Praha.
With its modular design and fully electronic architecture, the L-39NG allows for new hardware and software extensions and modifications, enabling extensive modernization and adaptation to current requirements. We are already, for example, working closely with SAAB to align the L-39NG to the Gripen C/D and E/F aircraft, to optimize future training for the Hungarian Air Force and other Gripen users.
The Flight Training Center in Pardubice (CLV) recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. How do you see the future of this center in conjunction with the L-39NG aircraft and modernized infrastructure?
I believe CLV, with the investments in equipment, infrastructure, and new technologies, and through strategic partnerships with companies like Aero or LM CO, is well on its way to become a European state-of-the-art training center, which will create top-grade pilots not only for the Czech Air Force but also for our NATO partners, who will join in the future. The combination of modern aircraft and infrastructure, coupled with very good instructors and staff, will enable the CLV to offer a comprehensive and efficient training program that meets the current and future needs of military aviation.
The L-39NG is presented as a cost-effective training platform. Can you explain how you achieve low operating costs and high efficiency for this aircraft?
The main factor is the new, highly efficient Williams engine, which, apart from being more responsive, is also significantly more cost-effective, both in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The aircraft’s airframe is extremely robust and reliable, reducing the need for frequent inspections, repairs, and overhauls. The structure itself is very stress-resistant, we have reinforced the leading edge of the wings and have a robust canopy, which minimizes the damage and risk associated with foreign object damage, such as bird strikes.
Integrated automatic health diagnostics systems enable us to apply predictive maintenance resulting in better cost planning. Our operational data from Vietnam already confirm that the operating costs per flight hour are significantly lower than those of more complex training and multirole platforms. The L-39NG aircraft is truly meant to fly often and fly a lot, in which case, the cost per flight hour will be practically comparable to a higher-end turboprop aircraft.
The delivery of aircraft to LOM PRAHA includes training for pilots and ground personnel. How does this training proceed, and what technologies are used?
We are an Approved Training Organization (ATO) and have experienced instructors who were former combat pilots. Our training covers everything from basic flying training to instructor pilot level. Typically, we conduct training for our customers who purchase aircraft from us. Our training courses are performed in Aero and typically last 3 to 4 months. We offer training for both pilots and ground personnel, who learn how to maintain and service the aircraft.
Currently, we do not plan to offer ATO services as a separate business offering, we have a strategic partnership with LOM in this area and fully support the building and expanding capabilities of CLV, in order to offer this service to 3rd parties.
What is your strategy for maintaining and developing cooperation with nearly 300 supplier companies involved in the production of the L-39NG?
We currently manage more than 400 suppliers across all our programs. We categorize suppliers primarily based on their importance and scope, with some of the key performance indicators being quality, on-time delivery, and adherence to price.
We continue to enter into long-term framework agreements in order to simplify the management of the relationship and provide suppliers with a stable outlook so they can better plan their business. Over the past two years, suppliers have experienced several shocks, such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, or the sudden spike in commercial aviation, affecting their capacities.
Today, we finally see increased stabilization across the supply chain. However, as some of our programs are relatively small, maintaining low-rate production remains a challenge. Therefore, we try to provide suppliers with long-term certainty and stability. This approach helps not only them but also us by allowing long-term rules and stable cooperation without the need for annual negotiations.
Filip Kulstrunk, the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Aero Vodochody Aerospace
Besides training, the L-39NG can also perform light combat tasks and reconnaissance. What other modernization plans do you have for this platform?
The primary role of the L-39NG is and always will be training, but we need the platform to be increasingly able to cover a wider range of operational missions. Therefore, we talk about the L-39NG as a training and tactical aircraft capable of performing some combat, close air support, patrolling, and reconnaissance tasks.
For this purpose, we continue to work on the integration of new weapon systems, sensors, and other payloads. Our biggest focus now is completing certification with Western weapons. Currently, a project is running to certify Western weapons, including air-to-ground rockets and bombs. The next phase will be the integration of air-to-air missiles. We expect the certification to be completed next year.
Future modernization also involves further enhancing the embedded training system or tactical communication so that aircraft can be fully integrated into national and allied defense systems. We are also working on integrating new ISR technologies that will enable reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
What are your visions for the future of Aero Vodochody, and how do you want to position yourself in the global military training aircraft market?
Our vision is that the best pilots in the world will train on the L-39NG so we aim to position the L-39NG as a modern, effective, and very efficient training system in the global market. As we stand at the top of the Czech aerospace industry, we feel a great responsibility to show that our country, industry, and people remain a prominent and respected player on the global market.
For this purpose, we continue to develop the skills, experience, and capabilities of our people, we keep modernizing production processes, and continuously introduce new technologies. Our company values are inventive, competent, efficient, and reliable – and we are doing our best to live by these values every day.
It is also important not to forget our legacy customers and users of the L-39, which are primarily located in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. They have been reliant on our platform for over 40 years and Aero has the responsibility and commitment to listen to them, understand their needs, and continue to serve them effectively and at reasonable prices. Countries like Algeria, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Thailand, despite being distant and each having specific challenges, are absolutely key markets for us which we will not abandon. The L-39NG is an absolutely perfect aircraft for their needs.
Overall, we want Aero to be perceived as a representative and capable company that is a showcase of the Czech aviation industry. I believe that despite our smaller size, we remain very competent and effective, we innovate fast, listen to our partners and customers, and act on their feedback.
Interviewed by: Katerina Urbanova
Photo credit: Aero Vodochody Aerospace
