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Yakovlev Yak-18T

Yak-18T (Як-18T)

Picture - Yak-18T (1999 example)

Role: Training aircraft,
Manufacturer: Yakovlev
First flight: 1967
Introduced: 1967
Primary users: Aeroflot Soviet Air Force
Number built: 750+
Developed from: Yak-18
Variants: Technoavia SM-94

Picture - Yak-18T

The Yakovlev Yak-18T is a four-place, fully aerobatic utility aircraft. Introduced to train Aeroflot pilots, it has recently 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 +6.4/-3.2 g.

Design and development

Although sharing some common heritage with the Yak-18 series of two seat trainers that first flew in 1946, the Yak-18T has very few components that can be traced to its earlier forebear, and can be considered a unique design, despite its nomenclature. The design and engineering changes include a larger cabin with seating for four, tricycle undercarriage (single seat Yak-18PMs had tricycle undercarriage also), as well as the 265 kW (355 hp) Vedneyev M14 nine cylinder radial engine being installed.

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.

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.

Operators

Soviet Union

Aeroflot
Soviet Air Force

Specifications (Yak-18T)

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: Three passengers
Length: 8.39 m (27 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 11.16 m (36 ft 7½ in)
Height: 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 18.8 m² (203.36 ft²)
Airfoil: Clark YH
Aspect ratio: 6.62:1
Empty weight: 1,217 kg (2,683 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
Powerplant: 1x— Vedeneyev M14P 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 268 kW (360 hp)

Performance

Never exceed speed: 460 km/h (248 knots, 286 mph)
Maximum speed: 295 km/h (159 knots, 183 mph)
Cruise speed: 250 km/h (135 knots, 155 mph)
Stall speed: 101 km/h (55 knots, 63 mph)
Range: 600 km (324 nmi, 373 mi) standard 100 kg (220 lb) fuel
Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,050 ft)
Rate of climb: 5.0 m/s (984 ft/min)

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

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 978-1857802030.
Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1 85753 245 7.

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Source: WikiPedia