The L-39 is a Czechoslovakian jet trainer that can also serve in a light ground-attack role.
Remember the controversy, in the 1990s, involving Pepsi Cola and an AV-8B Harrier jump jet? Well, long story short, Pepsi ran a promotional contest by which people could accumulate points for buying Pepsi and then redeem those points for various goods. Pretty straightforward. The controversy arose from the television spot promoting the contest; the ad concluded with a kid redeeming 700 million Pepsi points for a Harrier. Some kid took the ad at face value, accumulated 700 million Pepsi Points and attempted to redeem said points for a Harrier, was denied, and sued. The case is still taught in contract law courses today. Netflix has a special about the incident, too, titled Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?
Anyways, the point is that Liquid Death, the new-on-the-scene seltzer company, tapped into the Pepsi-Harrier scandal for a new promotional campaign with an actual jet prize, the L-39 Albatross. “Yes. This summer, Liquid Death is doing something no other beverage company has done in the history of the human race: giving away an actual 2-seater aircraft that goes almost 470 mph with nearly 3,800 lbs of thrust. Yes. This is a real jet that will come with a valid and effective FAA special certification of airworthiness (Pilot not included.)” And that’s how you market your new beverage brand, kids.
Strings Attached
The L-39 is a Czechoslovakian jet trainer that can also serve in a light ground-attack role. Nearly 3,000 L-39s were built and many of them are available for resale on the American General Aviation market.
“You won’t have to take us to court to get a jet,” Liquid Death’s website boasts. Indeed, the jet was reportedly won and delivered late last year to “Zac in North Carolina.” Zac could have opted out of receiving the L-39, in favor of $250,000 cash, but reportedly took the jet, valued between $300,000 and $750,000. What Zac likely already knows, or certainly, will learn soon, is that the operating costs of an L-39 can be significant (at least as far as the standards of a middle-class American are concerned). Insuring the L-39 costs about $15,000 per year, which is about ten times higher than insuring a piston-engine aircraft with a similar overall value. The jet requires storage in a hangar (something larger than a T-hangar within which you would store your Cessna), so annual hangar costs are likely going to run another $20,000. The L-39’s annual inspection costs $12,000. So, all said, your fixed annual costs are running around $47,000. But that bill fails to include variable costs, like fuel and maintenance. At cruise, the L-39 burns 160 gallons per hour. At climb, the L-39 burns 330 gallons per hour. At about $5 a gallon, you’re looking at something between $800 and $1,600 an hour in fuel.
Oh, and to be qualified to fly the L-39, Zac will need 1,000 hours of total flight time, with 500 hours as Pilot in Command—and for most people, accumulating so much flight time represents a significant financial burden, likely in the low six-figure range.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
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