Blog on World of Civil Airplanes : Yakovlev Yak-18T Four seat Light Aircraft

Country of origin

Russia

Type

Four seat Light Aircraft

Design and development

The Yakovlev Yak-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.

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.

History

One of the very few four seat light aircraft to be built in the Soviet Union during the Cold War years, the rugged Yak-18T has its basis in the Yak-18 series of two seat trainers.

The Yak-18 first flew in 1946 and went on to be built in massive numbers (including more than 8000 for the Soviet air force which used it as its standard military basic trainer for many decades). Most production was of the Yak-18A. Several single seat models were built for competition aerobatics, including the Yak-18P, Yak-18PM and Yak-18PS. Many have since appeared in the west.

The four seat Yak-18T was the last production model, and the most extensively modified. Compared with the single and two seat Yak-18 models, the Yak-18T introduced a much enlarged cabin with seating for four, tricycle undercarriage (single seat Yak-18PMs had tricycle undercarriage also), plus the 265kW (355hp) Vedneyev (now VOKBM) M14 nine cylinder radial engine.

First flight occurred in mid 1967 and the Yak-18T was then subsequently placed in series production in Smolensk. 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 200 were built, mainly for Aeroflot, production ceased in the late 1980s.

In 1993 the Smolensk Aircraft Factory placed the -18T back into production against a number of new contracts, including 20 for the Philippines air force. Several Yak-18Ts have also found their way into the west.

Meanwhile Technoavia offers its own development of the Yak-18T, the SM94, but production is dependant on orders being placed.

Compared with western four seat light aircraft, the Yak-18T is much larger, heavier and less economic to operate with a far more powerful engine, although it was never intended for private pilot operation. Its strong construction and military background has given it an aerobatic capability, while its general handling characteristics are docile.

Powerplant

One 265kW (355hp) Vedneyev/VOKBM M-14P nine cylinder radial piston engine driving a two blade variable pitch metal propeller.

Performance

Max speed 295km/h (159kt), economical cruising speed 210km/h (113kt). Service ceiling 18,120ft. Range 580km (313nm).

Weights

Empty 1217kg (2683lb), max takeoff 1650kg (3637lb).

Dimensions

Wing span 11.16m (36ft 11in), length 8.39m (27ft 7in), height 3.4m (11ft 2in). Wing area 18.8m2 (202.4sq ft).

Seating Capacity

Has standard seating for 4

Production

There was an estimated total of 200 produced between 1967 & 1989, production resumed by the Smolensk Aircraft Factory in 1993.

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