
Baltic Bees Jet Team
About the Team
The Baltic Bees Jet Team is a Latvian civilian jet aerobatic team flying the Czech-built Aero L-39C Albatros. Based at Jūrmala (Tukums) Airport, around 60 km west of Riga, they’re known for tight formation sequences, opposition passes and a dynamic solo set to a choreographed soundtrack and smoke. Their blue-and-yellow “bee” livery is one of European airshows’ most recognisable sights.
About the L-39 Albatros
Type & role. The L-39C is a tandem two-seat advanced jet trainer designed by Aero Vodochody as the successor to the L-29. It’s powered by a single Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan (~16.9 kN / ~1,720 kgf thrust).
Performance highlights. Typical figures for the L-39C are max speed ≈ 750 km/h (466 mph), service ceiling ≈ 11,000–11,500 m (36–38k ft), range ≈ 1,100 km (683 mi) and a climb rate around 21 m/s. Dimensions: wingspan ≈ 9.46 m, length ≈ 12.13 m.
Team fit. The Bees’ civilian-registered L-39Cs carry smoke systems and a show configuration optimised for reliability and repeatable formation aerobatics.
Team Facts
Display Aircraft
Typically 3 to 6 × L-39C (occasional 7-ship)
Founded
2008 by Artyom Soloduha
Base
Jūrmala (Tukums) Airport, Latvia
Status
Active civilian display team
Team History
Founded in 2008, the Baltic Bees began as a two-ship before expanding to six L-39C jets as their programme matured. Team founder Artyom Soloduha was noted as the world’s youngest jet team leader at the time. Their distinctive, music-driven routine quickly became a fixture across Europe and into Asia.
A highlight was a unique seven-ship appearance at the Wings Over Baltics airshow in 2019. The COVID-19 period then disrupted operations: aircraft and crews were caught out by travel restrictions while performing in China, leaving several jets stranded abroad and forcing a pause to regular airshow schedules. Jets remaining in Latvia supported pleasure-flying activity in Italy, but the core display work was dormant.
The team retrieved the last stranded aircraft over the 2023–24 winter and returned to displays in 2024, primarily flying a four-ship routine (with occasional smaller formations). In 2025 they increased appearances while continuing to focus on the refined four-ship programme.
Did You Know?
- The “Bees” nickname comes from the blue-and-yellow stripes—great for crowd visibility and brand identity.
- The L-39C’s smooth-spooling AI-25TL turbofan helps precision throttle work in tight formation.
- Their typical display runs about 20 minutes and blends close formations, opposition passes and a solo.
- The L-39 family includes trainer (L-39C), export (L-39ZO), and light-attack (L-39ZA) variants, plus the modernised L-39NG.
- The Bees have performed across Western/Eastern Europe, Russia and China, building a strong international following.
Test Your Knowledge
1. Where is the Baltic Bees’ home base?