Photo – Aero L-39C Albatros “American Spirit” jet racer at the “Innovations in Flight” event at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Photo credit: LSFM
The Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM) congratulated its long-time supporter and donor, Ed Noel, on the induction of his Aero L-39C Albatros “American Spirit” jet racer into the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the L-39C flew over the “Innovations in Flight” Smithsonian event and was accepted into the museum’s permanent collection.
After undergoing the Smithsonian’s selection process, Noel’s plane was chosen based on its historical importance, rarity and cultural significance. His aircraft has racked up numerous awards for speed and world records, which include eight first place and nine top five finishes making it a compelling addition to the Smithsonian collection. The L-39C is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft designed and produced by Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic.
The L-39C “American Spirit” was featured as LSFM’s Plane of the Month in November 2024. To honor LSFM, Noel added both the museum’s official logo and Plane of the Month logo to the aircraft’s tail.
