Praga E-39

The Praga E‑39, conceived and built by Czech engineer Miroslav Hajn in the early 1930s, represents a pivotal step in the development of light sport and training aircraft in Central Europe. First flown in 1934, the E‑39 emerged from Hajn’s experience with the earlier Avia series and reflected a growing demand for affordable, low‑power planes suited to flying clubs and pilot instruction. Its construction combined a wooden wings‑and‑fuselage framework with a fabric covering, while the forward section incorporated a modest steel tube truss for added strength. Powered by a reliable 65 hp Walter Minor inverted‑four engine, the aircraft delivered a cruising speed of roughly 150 km/h and a range of 500 km, making it well‑matched to short‑haul cross‑country flights and aerobatic training. The high‑wing, braced configuration offered excellent visibility and stable handling, traits that quickly earned the model popularity among flight schools. Though only a few dozen units were produced before World War II halted civilian aviation, the Praga E‑39’s design philosophy influenced later Czechoslovak trainers and underscored Miroslav Hajn’s role as an innovator who helped democratise flying for a broader public.

Miroslav Hajn

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Design & Classification