Yakovlev Yak-18T

Yak-18T
Yak-18T (1999 example)
Role Training aircraft
Designer Yakovlev
First flight 1967
Introduction 1967
Primary users Aeroflot
Soviet Air Force
Number built 750+
Variants Technoavia SM-94
Yak-18T

The Yakovlev Yak-18T (Russian: Яковлев Як-18T) is a four- or five-seat fully aerobatic utility aircraft. Introduced to train Aeroflot pilots, it has gained some popularity as a sportplane both inside and outside the former USSR. It is powered by a 268-298 kW (360-400 hp) Vedeneyev M14P radial engine, and is designed for stresses of +6.48/-3.24 g.

Design and development

All the Yak-18 and Yak-18T have in common is the model number. The Yak-18T is a unique design, despite its nomenclature.

The 18T was designed in the late 60's, as a civilian aircraft. The aircraft has a nosewheel, is a four- or five-seater, and has a nine-cylinder 360 hp radial. The Yak-18T shares systems with the Yak-50/52 family. These aircraft all have the 265 kW (355 hp) Vedneyev M14 nine-cylinder radial engine as well as the same underlying compressed-air system for engine starting, brakes, undercarriage and flaps. The propeller, avionics and other parts are also shared. The Yak-18T, like all Russian aircraft used for training, is aerobatic.

Compared with other four-seat light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 or the Piper PA-28, the Yak-18T is only a little wider and longer but it is much heavier and is equipped with a considerably more powerful engine. The Yak-18T is perhaps better compared with the Piper Saratoga which has two extra seats but which has a similar maximum weight, together with a retractable undercarriage and a similarly powerful engine. The Yak-18T is, however, distinguished by its strong construction, aerobatic capability and docile yet responsive handling characteristics.

The Yak-18T prototype had its first flight in mid-1967 and subsequently the type was placed in series production in Smolensk.

Operational history

The Yak-18T went on to become the standard basic trainer with Aeroflot flight schools, while small numbers also entered service with the Soviet Air Force as liaison and communications aircraft. After approximately 700 were built, many for Aeroflot, production ceased in the late 1980s, to be resumed in 1993.[1] In 2011 it was claimed that the type remained in small-scale production by the Yakolev Design Bureau,[2] although apparently none had been produced in more than a decade.

Technoavia has marketed the SM94, its own development of the Yak-18T featuring curved front glass, larger capacity fuel tanks and choice of avionics package, but production is dependent on orders being placed.[3]

Operators

 Armenia
 Cuba
 Kazakhstan
 Moldova
 Lithuania
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Soviet Union

Specifications (Yak-18T)

Standard a/c i.e. with 360 hp M14P engine

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Yakovlev - designer and manufacturer of the Yak-18T.


References

Notes
  1. ↑ "Yakovlev Yak-18T". Airliners.net. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
  2. ↑ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 170. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ↑ "The Yakolev Yak-18T." airliners.net, 2009. Retrieved: 4 April 2009.
Bibliography
  • Gordon, Yefim, Dmitriy Komissarov and Sergey Komissarov. OKB Yakovlev: A History of the Design Bureau and Its Aircraft. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2005. ISBN 978-1-85780-203-0.
  • Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
  • "EASA Specific Airworthiness Specification for Yakovlev Yak-18T issue 2" (PDF). 
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