It had Tauranga looking skyward this afternoon – a noisy show of aerobatics by an eastern European training jet.

The L39 Albatross. Photos: supplied.

It was a locally owned L39 Albatross going spectacularly through its paces.

It's believed to be owned by a Mr Mossmann but it's unclear whether he was at the controls – regardless it was a rare sight and sound for those below. It also prompted calls to SUNLIVE.

There was one report of the engine's roar coming in from as far afield as Omokoroa. Another witness reported see 'a pencil jet banking sharply over the airport and disappearing.”

Puzzled, SunLive gave Classic Flyers retail sales shop manager Garry Bentley a call. Garry explained the owners of the military trainer aircraft have brought the jet to Tauranga from America.

'That'll be the plane that everybody's making noise about. They're noisier than modern ones."

The Aero L39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft developed in the Czech Republic.

To date, more than 2,800 L39s have served with more than 30 air forces around the world.

The Albatros is the most widely used jet trainer in the world. In addition to performing basic and advanced pilot training, it has also flown combat missions in a light-attack role.

Garry says he suspects the owners probably clocking up some flying hours before they're certified to fly properly in the country.

He believes the owner to be a Mr Mossmann. 'I don't know him personally but he's been into Classic Flyers a couple of times and talked about it a little bit. They have a hangar here, I don't know which one.”

Garry says there's one other Albatross in New Zealand – but Mr Mossmann's is the only one based here.