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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Aero L-39
    Latest Model:L-39C Albatros
    Construction Number:430218
    Last Civil Registration:N139BJ
    Latest Owner or Location:Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, California

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a L-39C.

    To unknown owner with c/r N139BJ.

    From 10 August 1995 to By 2000

    To William E. Jones, Carson City, NV keeping c/r N139BJ.

    From 8 May 2000 to By 2006

    To Button Transportation Inc, Dixon, CA keeping c/r N139BJ.

    11 September 2000

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX139BJ (L-39 ALBATROS, 430218) issued.

    From 10 September 2001 to 15 September 2001

    Raced as #5, named VoodooToo.
    Attended the National Championship Air Races, but did not compete in the Jet class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete. The primary pilot was Curt Brown from Alvin, TX.

    From 9 September 2002 to 15 September 2002

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Curt Brown from Alvin, TX. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 410.643 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 421.361 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 427.456 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 456.540 mph.

    Circa 9 September 2002


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the National Champsionship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    Circa 2003


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: At Reno.

    From 8 September 2003 to 14 September 2003

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Curt Brown from Hudson, WI. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 401.061 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 413.281 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 431.665 mph.

    From 15 September 2004 to 19 September 2004

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Curt Brown from Hudson, WI. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 452.622 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 437.424 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 432.060 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 439.707 mph.

    From 11 September 2006 to 17 September 2006

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 443.958 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 418.350 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 436.137 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 430.467 mph. Raced in Heat 3 Gold. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 447.928 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 443.349 mph.

    11 September 2006


    Photographer: David Lednicer
    Notes: The Jet Class racer American Spirit taxiing out for the last practice session of the day at the Reno Air Races.

    28 August 2007

    To Edmund O. Noel, Houston, TX keeping c/r N139BJ.

    Based at Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, CA.
    View the Location Dossier

    From 10 September 2007 to 16 September 2007

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 477.786 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 433.43 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 440.878 mph.

    13 February 2008

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX139BJ (L-39 ALBATROS, 430218) issued.

    From 8 September 2008 to 14 September 2008

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 466.102 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 455.836 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 436.839 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 447.435 mph. Raced in Heat 3 Gold. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 453.933 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 457.116 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 449.836 mph.

    From 14 September 2009 to 20 September 2009

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 512.556 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 469.405 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 442.302 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 464.654 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 494.45 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 467.994 mph.

    From 13 September 2010 to 19 September 2010

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 499.895 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 485.551 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 489.61 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 450.145 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 483.634 mph.

    16 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    16 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    From 12 September 2011 to 16 September 2011

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 513.187 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 486.578 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 482.37 mph.

    13 September 2011


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    10 September 2012


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport, Nevada.

    From 10 September 2012 to 16 September 2012

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 504.658 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 482.999 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 480.956 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 490.629 mph.

    From 9 September 2013 to 15 September 2013

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 510.778 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 483.351 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 496.561 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 502.565 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 504.115 mph.

    14 September 2013


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    15 September 2013


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. Take a look at the backseat. Everyone needs an astro mech droid. It looks like R2D2 has expanded his skill set to air racing support.

    From 8 September 2014 to 14 September 2014

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 482.731 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 466.655 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 458.967 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 485.516 mph.

    From 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2015

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 491.036 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 463.363 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 486.551 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 492.234 mph.

    From 12 September 2016 to 18 September 2016

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 510.403 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 498.589 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 494.335 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 497.921 mph.

    From 11 September 2017 to 17 September 2017

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Reno, NV. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 497.520 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 491.396 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 501.957 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 495.411 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 494.210 mph.

    From 10 September 2018 to 16 September 2018

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Rick Vandam from Cypress, TX. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 506.168 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 489.493 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 492.717 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 492.717 mph. Raced in Heat 2 Gold. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 489.834 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 489.834 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 486.208 mph.

    12 September 2018


    Photographer: Allen Hess
    Notes: Sport Class, Race # 2 Lancair L2K Modo Mia, Pilot: Vince Walker. 2018-0912-0307 2018 National Championship Air Races, Stead Airport, Reno, Nv

    14 September 2018


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    15 September 2018


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    From 9 September 2019 to 15 September 2019

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    The markings in 2019 remained unchanged from 2018. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The pilots were Rick Vandam, Michael Stieger and. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 494.960 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 482.247 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 503.629 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 488.129 mph.

    Circa 13 March 2023


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    Circa 13 March 2023


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    Circa 13 March 2023


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    From 13 September 2023 to 17 September 2023

    Raced as #5, named American Spirit.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Jet class. The primary pilot was Michael Stieger from Houston, TX. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 503.351 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 485.474 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 490.124 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 496.785 mph.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Print Sources
     U.S. Military Out of Service 2010 by Andy Marden
    Warbirds Directory, 5th Edition by Geoff Goodall
    Internet Sources
     Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    Reno Air Racing Association (National Championship Air Races)
    Tell Others About this Airframe Dossier
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    Direct Link: https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=39418
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