{"id":22026769,"date":"2026-09-13T12:53:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T10:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/ukraine-pilots-training-canada-l-39-f-16-gripen-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-10-01T15:03:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T13:03:23","slug":"ukraine-pilots-training-canada-l-39-f-16-gripen-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/ukraine-pilots-training-canada-l-39-f-16-gripen-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine&rsquo;s Next Fighter Pilots Are Training on L-39s in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.et_pb_title_container h1.entry-title { padding-top: 40px !important; }<\/style>\n<!-- mfsh:top -->\n\n<style>\n.mfsh-trigger{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;height:44px;padding:0 18px;margin:0 0 26px;border:2px solid 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Twenty-one Ukrainian military pilots are in Canada learning to fly Western fighters. The aircraft they are learning on is a Czechoslovak jet trainer designed in the 1960s: the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/l-39-albatros\/\">Aero L-39 Albatros<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Volodymyr Zelensky visited them on 12 September at the International Test Pilots School, based at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario. The photographs show Ukrainians walking out to L-39s and sitting in simulators for aircraft they do not yet have.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>It is the least glamorous and most important part of building an air force.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f5f5f5;padding:20px;margin:26px 0\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;font-weight:700\">Quick Facts<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Where:<\/strong> International Test Pilots School, Jack Garland Airport, North Bay, Ontario<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Who:<\/strong> 21 Ukrainian service members, pilots plus aviation maintenance and technical specialists<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Training aircraft:<\/strong> Aero L-39 Albatros, flying the third and fourth phases of flight training<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Target types:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/f-16-fighting-falcon\/\">F-16 Fighting Falcon<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/saab-gripen\/\">Saab JAS 39 Gripen<\/a><\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Canadian funding:<\/strong> Up to CAD 389 million for training Ukrainian aviation personnel, 2024 to 2029<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><strong>Visit date:<\/strong> 12 September 2026<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">Why a 1960s Trainer Is the Right Aircraft<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>This is not a compromise or a shortage measure. The phase the Ukrainians are flying is Fighter Lead-In Training, and the whole point of it is to teach Western procedures, tactics and habits in an aircraft that costs a fraction of a fighter to operate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>An L-39 is a twin-seat, single-engine subsonic jet. It is fast enough to teach jet handling, formation and tactical flying, docile enough to survive a student&rsquo;s mistakes, and cheap enough that an air force can afford the hours it takes to build judgement. Pushing a pilot straight into an F-16 without that groundwork does not save time; it wastes airframes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>That is why the L-39 became the most widely used jet trainer ever built, and why it is still doing this job in 2026 for pilots headed to fourth-generation fighters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f8f9fa;border-left:4px solid #1565c0;padding:20px 22px;margin:18px 0 24px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;display:flex;gap:20px;align-items:flex-start\"><div><em>&ldquo;The pilots are training to be ready to fly modern fighter jets, including the F-16 and Gripen, and to strengthen Ukraine&rsquo;s combat aviation.&rdquo;<\/em><div style=\"margin-top:10px;font-size:14px;color:#555\"><strong>Volodymyr Zelensky<\/strong> &mdash; President of Ukraine, after meeting the trainees in Canada on 12 September 2026<\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">The Same Aircraft, From the Back Seat<\/h2>\n\n<p>There is a reason we know this aircraft well: the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/l-39-albatros\/\">L-39 Albatros<\/a> is the backbone of the MiGFlug fleet, and it is the aircraft most of our customers choose.<\/p>\n\n<p>Calling it a 1960s design undersells it. The L-39 first flew on 4 November 1968 and became the first trainer aircraft in the world to be built around a turbofan engine &mdash; not a leftover from the previous generation but the most modern training concept of its day. Quantity production began in 1971, and by 1972 most of the Warsaw Pact had adopted it as their standard primary trainer. Crew sit on Czech-built VS-1 ejection seats under individual canopies.<\/p>\n\n<p>The detail that matters most, though, is the seating. The L-39 has a tandem cockpit, and the rear seat &mdash; normally the instructor&rsquo;s &mdash; is deliberately elevated so that whoever sits in it can watch the student&rsquo;s hands and the view ahead. It was designed that way to teach.<\/p>\n\n<p>That single design decision is what makes the Albatros close to perfect for a passenger flight. In the back you are not peering around a headrest; you are sitting higher than the pilot in front, looking forward over him at the same horizon, the same instruments and the same piece of sky he is flying towards. Very few jets give a passenger that. The Ukrainian students in Ontario are getting their Western tactics from exactly that seat.<\/p>\n\n<p>It is also why we keep expanding the L-39 network rather than chasing rarer types. You can fly one with us in Tampa and Los Angeles in the United States, over the Alps from Sion in Switzerland, and from Turin in Italy &mdash; with the current locations and prices listed on our <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/flights-prices\/\">fighter jet flights and prices page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">Two Types, One Pipeline<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The unusual part is that this pipeline feeds two different fighters at once. Ukraine already operates the F-16. The Gripen is the newer commitment, and training pilots for both simultaneously is a genuine complication: different cockpits, different logic, different logistics, different maintenance cultures. It is also a hedge, and given how fitfully Western aircraft deliveries have arrived, a sensible one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The Ukrainians in Canada are not only pilots. The cohort includes specialists in maintaining and operating aviation equipment &mdash; the people without whom a donated fighter becomes an expensive ornament. Alongside the L-39 flying, the trainees are using F-16 simulators to work through flight and tactical scenarios without burning airframe hours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/09\/saab-jas-39-gripen-swedish-air-force-flight.jpg\" alt=\"Two Saab JAS 39 Gripens of the Swedish Air Force in flight\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;max-width:100%;display:block\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">Swedish Air Force Gripens. Ukraine has committed to the type, but the delivery timetable is disputed: Zelensky said Gripens would arrive this year, while Sweden&rsquo;s own published timeline points to donated aircraft arriving in early 2027. Photo: Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">The Timing Question<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>On the aircraft themselves, there is a discrepancy worth flagging rather than smoothing over. During the visit Zelensky said Gripens would arrive in Ukraine this year. Sweden&rsquo;s own timeline, as published, points to donated jets arriving in early 2027. Both statements are on the record; they do not agree, and nobody outside the two governments can currently say which will prove right.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Canada&rsquo;s contribution is the part that is not in doubt. Ottawa has committed up to 389 million Canadian dollars to training Ukrainian aviation personnel across 2024 to 2029 &mdash; a five-year horizon that tells you how the people running the programme expect this to go. You do not budget to 2029 for a war you expect to end next spring.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Footage from the visit, showing the trainees and the aircraft they are flying:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GA3C9omP474\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<style>.mfq{margin:34px 0 8px}.mfq h2{font:26px\/1.3 \"Gilroy semiBold\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#0d1117;padding-top:22px;margin:0 0 6px}.mfq .qa details{border-top:1px solid #5C91FF;margin:0;padding:0}.mfq .qa details:last-of-type{border-bottom:1px solid #e2e7ee}.mfq .qa summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:16px;padding:22px 26px;font:18px\/1.7 \"Gilroy semiBold\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#0d1117}.mfq .qa summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.mfq .qa summary::after{content:\"+\";font:24px Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#3568e0;flex:0 0 auto}.mfq .qa details[open] summary::after{content:\"\\2013\"}.mfq .qa details:hover summary{color:#3568e0}.mfq .qa .a{font:16px\/1.7 \"Gilroy regular\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#454e5e;padding:0 26px 24px}.mfq .qa .a a{color:#3568e0}@media(max-width:680px){.mfq .qa summary{padding:18px 14px;font-size:17px}.mfq .qa .a{padding:0 14px 20px}}<\/style>\r\n\r\n\r\n<section class=\"mfq\"><h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><div class=\"qa\"><details open><summary>Where are Ukrainian pilots training in Canada?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">At the International Test Pilots School, based at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the trainees there on 12 September 2026. Twenty-one Ukrainian service members are enrolled, including both pilots and specialists in aviation maintenance and equipment operation.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>What aircraft are the Ukrainian pilots flying in Canada?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">They are flying the Aero L-39 Albatros, a Czechoslovak-designed twin-seat subsonic jet trainer, through the third and fourth phases of flight training. They also use F-16 simulators to practise flight and tactical scenarios. The L-39 phase is known as Fighter Lead-In Training, which teaches Western procedures and tactics before pilots convert to a frontline fighter.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Why train on an old L-39 instead of the actual fighter?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Because it is cheaper, safer and more effective. The L-39 is fast enough to teach jet handling, formation and tactical flying, forgiving enough to absorb student errors, and inexpensive enough per hour that an air force can afford the volume of flying needed to build judgement. Converting a pilot straight onto an F-16 without that foundation consumes expensive airframe hours and increases the risk of losing aircraft.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Which fighters are the Ukrainian pilots being prepared for?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Both the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Ukraine already operates the F-16, while the Gripen is a newer commitment. Running one training pipeline toward two different fighter types is more complex, but it reduces Ukraine&rsquo;s dependence on any single supplier or delivery schedule.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>When will Ukraine receive its Gripen fighters?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">This is disputed. During his visit to Canada, Zelensky said Gripens would arrive in Ukraine this year. Sweden&rsquo;s own published timeline points to donated aircraft arriving in early 2027. Both positions are on the record and they do not agree, so the delivery date should be treated as unsettled.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>How much is Canada spending on training Ukrainian pilots?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Canada has allocated up to 389 million Canadian dollars for the training of Ukrainian aviation personnel between 2024 and 2029. The programme covers the Fighter Lead-In Training phase as well as maintenance and technical specialists.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Can you fly in an L-39 Albatros as a passenger?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Yes. The L-39 is the backbone of the MiGFlug fleet and the most popular choice among our customers. Because it is a two-seat trainer with the rear seat elevated above the front one, the passenger sits higher than the pilot and looks forward over him, which gives an unusually good view for a jet flight. L-39 flights are available in Tampa and Los Angeles in the United States, Sion in Switzerland and Turin in Italy; current locations and prices are listed on the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/flights-prices\/\">MiGFlug flights and prices page<\/a>.<\/div><\/details><\/div><\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where are Ukrainian pilots training in Canada?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"At the International Test Pilots School, based at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the trainees there on 12 September 2026. Twenty-one Ukrainian service members are enrolled, including both pilots and specialists in aviation maintenance and equipment operation.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What aircraft are the Ukrainian pilots flying in Canada?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"They are flying the Aero L-39 Albatros, a Czechoslovak-designed twin-seat subsonic jet trainer, through the third and fourth phases of flight training. They also use F-16 simulators to practise flight and tactical scenarios. The L-39 phase is known as Fighter Lead-In Training, which teaches Western procedures and tactics before pilots convert to a frontline fighter.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why train on an old L-39 instead of the actual fighter?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Because it is cheaper, safer and more effective. The L-39 is fast enough to teach jet handling, formation and tactical flying, forgiving enough to absorb student errors, and inexpensive enough per hour that an air force can afford the volume of flying needed to build judgement. Converting a pilot straight onto an F-16 without that foundation consumes expensive airframe hours and increases the risk of losing aircraft.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which fighters are the Ukrainian pilots being prepared for?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Both the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Ukraine already operates the F-16, while the Gripen is a newer commitment. Running one training pipeline toward two different fighter types is more complex, but it reduces Ukraine\u2019s dependence on any single supplier or delivery schedule.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When will Ukraine receive its Gripen fighters?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"This is disputed. During his visit to Canada, Zelensky said Gripens would arrive in Ukraine this year. Sweden\u2019s own published timeline points to donated aircraft arriving in early 2027. Both positions are on the record and they do not agree, so the delivery date should be treated as unsettled.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How much is Canada spending on training Ukrainian pilots?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Canada has allocated up to 389 million Canadian dollars for the training of Ukrainian aviation personnel between 2024 and 2029. The programme covers the Fighter Lead-In Training phase as well as maintenance and technical specialists.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you fly in an L-39 Albatros as a passenger?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. The L-39 is the backbone of the MiGFlug fleet and the most popular choice among our customers. Because it is a two-seat trainer with the rear seat elevated above the front one, the passenger sits higher than the pilot and looks forward over him, which gives an unusually good view for a jet flight. L-39 flights are available in Tampa and Los Angeles in the United States, Sion in Switzerland and Turin in Italy; current locations and prices are listed on the MiGFlug flights and prices page.\"}}]}<\/script><p><em>Sources: Office of the President of Ukraine, Militarnyi, Interfax-Ukraine, The Defence Blog, 112.ua.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<!-- mfsh:bottom -->\n\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-trigger mfsh-bottom\" data-mfsh-placement=\"bottom\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-share\"\/><\/svg>Share this story<\/button>\n\n<!-- \/mfsh:bottom -->\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f0f4ff;border-left:4px solid #5C91FF;padding:16px 20px;margin:32px 0 8px\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:600;color:#333\">Related Posts<\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/flights-prices\/\">Fly an L-39 Albatros with MiGFlug &mdash; all locations and prices<\/a><\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/why-the-l-39-albatros-is-the-worlds-most-popular-fighter-jet-experience\/\">Why the L-39 Albatros Is the World&rsquo;s Most Popular Fighter Jet Experience<\/a><\/p><p style=\"margin:4px 0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/from-a-bar-in-russia-to-the-drone-wars-the-l-39-story-and-how-it-built-migflug\/\">From a Bar in Russia to the Drone Wars: The L-39 Story<\/a><\/p><\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Twenty-one Ukrainians are learning to fly Western fighters in Ontario. The aircraft they are learning on is a Czechoslovak trainer from the 1960s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":22026482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[664,670],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22026769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-military-aviation","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ukrainian Pilots Training in Canada Fly L-39s First<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ukrainian pilots training in Canada are flying L-39 trainers at North Bay before converting to the F-16 and Gripen. 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