LET L-13

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: “LET”…Let Kunovice (formerly VZLU Letnany). Model: L-13 Nickname: Blanik
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Glider
> FAA Category and Class: Glider
> Engine Description: none

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/6/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 0.6
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 28
> Date First Flown: 9/28/1986
> Location First Flown: Skylark North, Tehachapi, CA (L94)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USAFTPS IP

Recollections: I flew N70AS during my TPS Class field trip to Edwards AFB, CA.  One of the days we went to Tehachapi to fly gliders, with the USAF IP’s in our back seats.  I flew three gliders that day, the Grob 103, the Schweizer 2-33 and the Blanik.   It was a great day.  I returned some 25 years later to Skylark to get my CFIG rating.   

Skylark North is now called “Mountain Valley Airport” (maybe it always was?) and is still home to the Glider school.  The runways appear to be all paved (I’m pretty sure they were dirt on our visit) and N70AS was (according to FAA records) retired in 2013.  The school still operates the 2-33 and G-103, along with an ASK-21 and DG-1000.

The PSSA club I tow for, however, still has an L-13.  I should fly it!