Su-39 trainer, P.O.Sukhoj

27k photo of the Su-39 (maquette?), courtesy of Yuri Sorokin (Aviation)

Primary trainer, designed to replace the Yak-52. Intended for training and skill maintaining of civil pilots and airforce cadets. Suitable also for airclubs, liaison and light transport duties.

The Su-39 is a tandem two seat aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear, derived from the Su-26 and Su-29 aerobatic competition aircraft. Originally planned 400hp M-14PF engine was found unreliable and short on resource, and classic well-tested 360hp M-14P was fitted. Variety of navigation equipment may be custom-fitted, including GPS, long-range and short-range navigation and even automatic landing approach.

Expected resource is 10000hours. Airframe strength and power load allow to perform aerobatics in loads range +11/-10g. Both seats are equipped with SKS-94 emergency ejection system (same as on Su-31), developed by AOOT 'Zvezda', creator of the K-36 combat aircraft 0-0 ejection seat. Cost of one hour is 2 to 2.5 times less than for class aircraft in the other same.

Note that the recent upgrade of Su-25 attack plane is also designated Su-39. May be for confusion? See Su-39;