L-39 Spatial Disorientation, Icing, No Autopilot

[@timroth6722]

The A-10 squadrons in the late 1970-80s hand flew the aircraft across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, no autopilot, no inertial navigation, no GPS. My longest flight was 10 hours with three refuelings from Myrtle Beach AFB to Lajes AB, Azores.

[@mr.joshuah1412]

Impressive! You ever run into Brian Shul over there?

[@mikebodnar2765]

Good thing we’re in 2023

[@h.w.2038]

You are my hero

[@AC_Twig]

I'm currently doing flight training at KMYR

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

There’s a reason these classics have endured so long. They’re really good.

[@azcharlie2009]

I know we all should be able to fly IFR with no autopilot. I remember my first IFR flight, I forgot I even had an autopilot! White knuckles all the way from Rapids City, SD to Sioux City. But, I think all IFR pilots should have it, and use it. There is no place for spacial disorientation when flying single pilot IFR.

[@dr_jaymz]

I can do it at 100kts imagine this thing messes with your head.

[@dr_jaymz]

The other thing he mentioned at the end there is unlike most aircraft it doesn't have any stability in roll. That makes it a real handful in IMC if you close your eyes for 3 seconds its already banking 15 degrees and I think he thought there was something wrong with him but as the other guy says, that's how it is.

[@joeglennaz]

I’m only two minutes in but I’d be worried about flying with these guys

[@Talisman-tb6vw]

Me too. Lots of mechanical/electrical problems and taking chances. At least its only their lives at risk, unless they crash into a school.

[@Talisman-tb6vw]

@@tomcat5280 , social media is how he makes his living - so maybe some of what we're viewing is "invented drama"? to bring in viewers.

[@tomcat5280]

@@Talisman-tb6vw I wonder how the FAA feels about that.

[@Talisman-tb6vw]

@@tomcat5280 , I know you can get away with a lot with "experimental" designation for your aircraft. When I watch the first flight of this aircraft - the headsets and radio's were not working properly. That's a red flag for me in any situation.

[@ralphjohnson4041]

Agree. Wouldn’t be good if that loose camera got thrown around either.

[@lukebelvin4900]

Cool video, hilarious that you can still pump Oshkosh vids out

[@oisiaa]

I haven't watched yet, but I'm guessing that funky Soviet ADI is a huge contributing factor.

[@robd2184]

The concept of a “ sterile cockpit “ seems to be lost on these two.

[@paratyshow]

👍✅ L-39 required backup equipment, 02 dixie cups and 3' of waxed string! Great videos Matt, tks for all the hard work producing them for us!

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Great vid. The last 3rd of the video in the clouds, with just the one camera angle and the breathing, reminds me of that scene in Alien where the guy is in the tunnel and he knows there's an alien in there somewhere. Creepy vibe.

[@tondog54]

Dallas. RIP Captain

[@TurbineJesse]

Gotta ask, does it feel as cool to be taxiing around in an L-39 as it looks? 😉

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day Matt from Sydney Australia. Jet pilot: awesome! Jet plane: maintenance 🌏🇭🇲 "Have you got gethereitis?"

[@reason6835]

I think that WAS a birdstrike @ 7:55. (Unless that sound was edited in).

[@nickwinn]

Yea definitely a bird strike

[@jemfinch7420]

So is your next plane a kc135, so you can keep the L39 fed?😂

[@InducedBank]

Really clear audio! Be really interested to know how you're recording that 😁

[@tayne5009]

Maybe you should take those radios to the guy who fixed the alternator on the Bonanza.

[@jeffbuckles]

Okay, that made me LIRL! Nice call-back

[@romuno01]

I'm hoping you provided a PIREP to the center about the icing and that just got edited out. If not, that's really important information you should be sharing.

[@everflywings]

Fantastic video! Beautifully shot!

[@speedbrake]

Dude, respect for flying in IMC with that backwards Russian attitude indicator! From what I've heard, the scary thing about the L-39 in icing conditions is a tailplane stall, and you can't see the horizontal stabilizer from the cockpit to see how much ice is on it.

[@FlightX101]

That thing would mess me up lol. Id likely pull it and get an easy to read digital alt indicator since theres no autopilot

[@cmm3338]

@@FlightX101 Absolutely, No chance I would want to deal with that.

[@igclapp]

@@FlightX101 What's a digital alt indicator?

[@boydw1]

@@igclapp I think he meant to say "Att", as in attitude indicator, which is basically the "which way up are we again?" gauge.

[@igclapp]

@@boydw1 Ok, thanks. But then what would be a digital attitude indicator? I don't think I've ever seen such a thing.

[@fredfred2363]

I still can't get over the rate of climb of that thing! Amazing.

[@saldun2603]

You are over the Rainbow Matt!! Amazing ways you will continue to behold. Go buddy go!

[@gtr1952]

Hi Matt, I don't know if you ever see these, but I was wondering if you bought that flight suit recently? I'm in KROC, there is nothing close to look at/buy one here locally. I have to order it on-line. I was wondering how the sizes ran? Large/right on/small? I'm usually a 2XL guy and I like a loose fit. I was just trying to avoid returns etc and maybe get a good fit the first time. Any advice appreciated. Thanks much!! --gary

[@iflyc77]

They are usually pretty accurate per the sizing charts. Another option is to go to an Army/Navy store and try on some used ones to get an idea what size works best for you (or just buy one from there)

[@gtr1952]

@@iflyc77 Thanks much for the advice!! A/N stores seem to have disappeared here in W-NY. 5 years ago, when I turned 65, I had to loose some weight for health reasons. I took it very seriously and lost '160lbs', down to 210. Obviously nothing fits anymore. I'll take that problem, and don't mind replacing things! Thanks again!! 8) --gary

[@clarencewiles963]

Mat is your home runway long enough for the L39? Thank you for the ride!

[@michaelfraser5723]

hehe

[@michaelfraser5723]

V STOL

[@jensonhartmann3630]

After all this time, how has comms not been sorted yet? Did I miss something?

[@michaelfraser5723]

Very challenging, shall we say..

[@Gazza-mk2ik]

thanks for posting

[@ecomandurban7183]

a most enjoyable flight

[@MaestroPdx]

Love how Matty never freaks out in a bad situation. Never loses his cool and always critically thinking what to do next

[@aerykhurley8236]

Thats being a pilot.. If you panic, you die..

[@scarter176]

Hand flying is good experience but Really need an autopilot Matt

[@flacodebuenosaires]

Que LOCURA todo eso che!!!!!👍🏼👍🏼🦾🦾🧿🧿☝🏼☝🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@aerykhurley8236]

You should have gone to VEL like he said, thats my home airport! Id have crapped my pants if you rolled in here. Vernal Utah!!

[@Skynet-1]

Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the thumb screw on the GoPro on the wing.

[@brianwood2033]

does the jet have an oxygen tank or an oxygen generation system connected to the masks?

[@matkix]

Tank.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

I'm going to check but think your mask harness assembly is not connected properly. Looks like you have a rather large face seal gap. What's your cabin altitude running while at FL280?

[@matkix]

~13-14K

[@buckbuchanan5849]

@@matkix You have off-set bayonets with your MBU-12/P mask. The top strap on your mask (just below your valsalva ports), needs to attach to the top portion of the bayonets. Has an empty slot there. You can get hypoxic at 14K (or well at least I do). Have your life support rep take a look at it. Shouldn't have any gaps between the mask and your face. Thanks for posting, love watching the L-39 action and your channel!

[@jmcguire5151]

Was someone starting to panic

[@horse12100]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

A number of crashes caused by Russian vs Western AI. Is it too expensive to replace that thing? Also… envy.

[@miznitic5574]

I wonder if the bird made it.

[@NGC1433]

Depends on what you mean by "it". It definitely made a good plonk.

[@LorenTedford]

I think it would be cool to see that thing with all modern avionics and fly around the world like you did in the other plane I remember that video it was awesome!!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Good idea!

[@matkix]

Lot's of them have been converted. I personally thing it's cooler to fly around with the original ones.

[@ryanawilson8549]

Hey, we're picking up ice. Let's make sure we get it on video 🙄🤦‍♂️

[@keemez]

matter of time

[@ericfletcher8454]

@@keemez sadly it’s gonna be sooner rather than later

[@SeanONeill13]

You do know how youtube works right?

[@ryanawilson8549]

@SeanONeill13 yes, yes I do. But, there comes a time when you should drop the camera and concentrate.

[@Captndarty]

That is hardly any ice

[@carstuff4u942]

If I'm correct, no us fighter plane has antiice, right?

[@gabrielg8826]

What kind of panel upgrade could you do in this?

[@EC-oe9bv]

It's experimental, so pretty much any experimental avionics glass panel.

[@gabrielg8826]

@user-ol1zg5uf9l legally yes, but which will interface with the systems of the L39 correctly, that's the question for the albatross nerds.

[@EC-oe9bv]

@@gabrielg8826 I've generally seen the old panels go entirely. There isn't much cross compatibility, so its just easier to pull the gyros out an put in new glass.

[@matkix]

You can do anything you want. However, this jet will stay as is.

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

I was waiting for I like big butts... And I don't know why lmao.

[@michaelfraser5723]

Much like those tethered jets at a UK fair ground, kinda. Disorientation on a leash.

[@n1msu]

I don't say this lightly but whatever happened at between 11 and 12 mins with Matt and then at 12-15 ish minutes your instructor (sorry buddy I have forgotten your name) admitted to feeling disoriented, the way you both spoke seemed to change from what I'm used to hearing from you both. I thought the title of this video was about Matt, and then when I saw Matt seemed off and then Instructor seemed off just as Matt seemed a bit better set alarm bells off in my head. I hope you guys read this, not bothered about a reply; just a different angle, I only know what I know from what's edited for us to watch. Flying at 20+k feet in a semi pressurised aircraft having to use additional oxygen to prevent a hypoxic state. I don't know how the O2 tank systems work on that plane, but either way I might have overthought it having read the title prior to watching. I know there's a differential gauge in there etc, but without wafflinh on, something didn't seem right between 11-15mins between the pair of you. All the best to you both.

[@mattguthmiller]

Wait, who do you think is the instructor?

[@n1msu]

@@mattguthmiller The man behind you? But now you've written that, is that somebody different to the fellow you first flew with who showed you the ropes on how to fly the L-39? That's who I assumed it was. I can't remember his name but he's the experienced L-39 pilot that I thought was behind you: Main concern I had was hypoxia by the way, I'm not really that concerned who was instructing who etc. As long as you both know you weren't reaching a hypoxic state after rewatching your own video that's the only thing I'm concerned with.

[@mattguthmiller]

@@n1msu I’m sitting in the back on that second leg, my buddy Mat’s sitting up front

[@n1msu]

@@mattguthmiller Oh I see, so you felt disoriented in the back when I thought you were in the front and was confused why I thought you sounded different when the person in front wasn't you! Context is everything isn't it. Thanks for at least clarifying that anyway! I'm from England and I never realised it until now but unless either of you have a Texas/Boston (strong) US accent; without seeing a face, I can't tell the difference apart from hand cues. I'm just happy neither of you were hypoxic anyway!

[@mattguthmiller]

@@n1msu no, he felt disoriented in the front

[@nipponhouseplayer]

Cool✨👍

[@oldak8647]

Aero Vodochody Czechoslovak factory nice pcs from 70th

[@congoparrot]

why is your endurance is 1 hour to 1.5 hours when the manufacturer says the endurance is 4.5 hours?

[@Nghilifa]

It's because they chip-tuned the kite 😂

[@matkix]

The endurance rating of the Aircraft your quoting is based on slow speeds and low power settings (loiter time). That said you optimize that power / speed for maximum range. The bigger issue is landing with reserves, where up high it burns less fuel if your down low and have to divert your going to use a much greater amount of fuel, that all has to be accounted for.

[@notsoancientpelican]

They should be up in the mid to high thirties, but they have to fly 280 max because it's not RVSM certified. The Jet is gulping fuel down there.

[@maesc2001]

Ice? Where? Is that wing that critical?

[@matkix]

It's the tail not the wing that's of concern.

[@briancorty4348]

Matt what are you burning an hour?

[@keemez]

money

[@matkix]

180 GPH ish or more.

[@briancorty4348]

@@matkix Thanks

[@maxmiau]

Do a Barrel Roll.

[@c1d2e]

Guys in way over his head but looks cool, that’s what matters.

[@notsoancientpelican]

Agreed

[@Captndarty]

If you guys think that’s ice and get a little spooked, you’ve got a lot of learning to do. That is absolutely nothing especially for an aircraft at that speed, altitude and an easy out knowing you’re descending into warmer air. Amateur hour.

[@matkix]

The L-39 is very well known to become uncontrollable with even minor tail plane ice. All POH and training documents instruct you to exit ice immediately.

[@Captndarty]

@@matkix I don’t think they know much about the POH. Anyways, any aircraft that’s not certified for known icing states to exit icing immediately…. What little ice that was on the leading edge of the wing is indication of even less ice on the tail.

[@matkix]

@@Captndarty I think you fail to understand this aircraft isn’t certified. You sound like a typical armchair quarterback. How many hours do you have in type?

[@TheJackstraw]

Is this another misleading title from the infamous Matt Guthmiller?

[@matkix]

If you watched the video, I think all three items were covered.

[@keemez]

^fangirl

[@matkix]

@@keemez or you know… someone who actually watched the video.

[@igclapp]

Is that why you painted it dark blue, to help melt the ice off? 🤣

[@skyepilotte11]

Nice flight...I bet flight level flying with no auto pilot is challenging.

[@matkix]

Airplane trims out nice, but focus is required.

[@matthewpellegrini2740]

How do you afford this 😂. Teach me your ways!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

He started a business when he was young. You really should consider this... working 40 hours a week ain't gonna do it.

[@tedhammond3631]

Nice video but you don't own a fighter, the L-39 is a basic jet trainer.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

You’re kidding, right? 🙄

[@n1msu]

I think he probably knows this! Just stick to watching bbq yt videos. Do you have any idea of what this guy has flown compared to what you have?

[@tedhammond3631]

@n1msu cute, naive but your best shot, I'm sure.

[@n1msu]

@@tedhammond3631 not quite, that was a warning shot. Now run along and get back to world of warplanes. When you try to tell a guy who has circumnavigated the planet in a light aircraft and watched and been involved in the rebuilding of the L-39 after it was shipped. The fact that you're trying to tell him what sort of plane he is flying is actually hilarious! I'll tell you what, you wouldn't last 30 seconds in 'a basic jet trainer'. Not even if it came with a mouse and keyboard.

[@Heneling]

The L-39ZA (his variant) is designed for light combat and ground attack. This is a ‘fighter jet’ class aircraft, although it is not fitted with armament while he uses it. Don’t spread misinformation because you spent 30seconds Google searching it

[@transporterdispatch231]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@twon4212]

oh boy man, get ready for the chirping in the comments.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

No pilot who puts a video on KZbin can escape sniping from other pilots (“would never fly with you”) AND wannabes (“your jet isn’t a REAL jet”). Actually, who knows whether any particular sniper has any flying cred at all.

[@johnrandolph3840]

wondering if one could pay an air force to refuel you flying big money

[@Heneling]

They only let trained military professionals do that unfortunately

[@lgchris1]

neither of you should be in this jet if the instructor has disorientation, I get making drama for youtube but.....

[@mattguthmiller]

🤔

[@hulio101]

Yup they both should have ejected at that point right 😂

[@n1msu]

Damn! He have a Top gun pilot here who has finally mastered how to control the flow of fluid through his semi circular canals and have dynamic hairs which sense when he's been banke..... Shut up Chip. Flying is inherently dangerous isn't it. Are you the FAA? NO.

[@dhardy6654]

This crummy little jet doesn't have anti ice?