European Military Test-Pilot School Places 2025 Order for Jet Trainer Under New Aviation Support Contract

France – Babcock has been awarded a new contract to support France’s École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception (EPNER), the national test pilot school, through the provision of an L-39 Albatros aircraft—the first of this type to join the school’s fleet. The aircraft will be used for flight test instruction, evaluation sessions, and specialised missions supporting France’s defence flight-test community.

• The L-39 will allow EPNER trainees to assess aircraft performance and flying qualities under realistic operational conditions, strengthening the school’s capabilities in test-pilot and flight-test engineer training.
• The agreement also includes an operational role for the Direction Générale de l’Armement – Essais en Vol (DGA EV), where the aircraft will support target-simulation and adversary-simulation missions for flight testing and technical evaluations.
• The aircraft will additionally be used for:
• Training of servicing mechanics for DGA EV
• Refresher training for DGA EV mechanics
• Release flights for EPNER instructors and test pilots already qualified on the L-39
• The contract marks Babcock’s first operational engagement involving its L-39 platform, positioning the company for future opportunities in defence and international pilot training markets.

Statements

• Pierre Basquin, Chief Executive Aviation & CEO France, Babcock “EPNER is a world-renowned school of excellence, dedicated to training test pilots, engineers, and technicians involved in flight testing. The partnership reflects Babcock’s commitment to supporting the French armed forces in its critical missions by providing high-performance aerial assets tailored to the demands of training and testing. The contract is the first involving our L-39 aircraft and paves the way for further opportunities, particularly in operational training and the training of international pilots.”

Source: Babcock