Yakovlev Yak-50 (1975)

infobox Aircraft
name = Yak-50
type = Trainer/aerobatic aircraft
manufacturer = Yakovlev



caption =
designer =
first flight = 1975
introduction =
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced = 1975-1985
number built = 312
unit cost =
developed from = Yakovlev Yak-18
variants with their own articles = Yakovlev Yak-52The single-seat Yakovlev Yak-50 aerobatic aircraft is an all-metal low-wing monoplane with retractable main wheels and exposed tail wheel. The control surfaces are fabric-covered to save weight. The aircraft is not equipped with flaps.

The supercharged engine may be the Vedeneyev M14P, M14PF or M14R, producing between 360 and 450 hp and driving the propeller via a reduction gearbox. The landing gear, brakes and engine starter are operated by compressed air. Replenished by an engine-driven compressor, the main and emergency air bottles are contained within the forward fuselage between the firewall and fuel tanks.

The Yak-50 had exceptionally fine handling characteristics enhanced by a relatively high power to weight ratio. A tough and agile airframe - the type was twice World Aerobatic Champion. It was used as a military trainer by several countries.

Aircraft serving with the Soviet National Aerobatic team were typically scrapped after about 50 flight hours. Other aircraft serving with DOSAAF were "officially" scrapped or placed into storage after they were superseded (by the Yak-55 and Su-26).

It is these aircraft that form the bulk of airworthy "survivors" today. Only a few (approx. 90+) are airworthy and remain in private hands in Europe, the USA and Australia.

For a global census, see http://www.yakkes.com/Yak-50-index.php. And for more pictures, see http://yak50.blogspot.com.

Serial numbers for Yak-50s have six digits. The first two digits refer to the year of manufacture. eg 85xxxx means the aircraft was built in 1985. The next two digits refer to the batch number; with each batch comprised of 10 units (aircraft). eg xx31xx means the aircraft was in batch 31. And the last two digits refer to the unit number in the batch. eg xxxx01 means the aircraft was the first in the batch.

pecifications

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref= Yak-50 Flight Manual & Technical Description handbook
crew= one, pilot
capacity=
length main= 7.8 m
length alt= 25 ft 7 in
span main= 9.5 m
span alt= 31 ft 2 in
height main= 3.2 m
height alt= 10 ft 6 in
area main= 15.0 m²
area alt= 161.5 ft²
airfoil= Clark YH
empty weight main= 750 kg
empty weight alt= 1653 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 910 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 2006 lb
more general=
engine (prop)= Vedeneyev M-14P, M-14PF or M-14R
type of prop= 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
number of props= 1
power main= 269/298/336 kW
power alt= 360/400/450 hp
power original=
max speed main= 400 km/h V_A
max speed alt= 216 knots, 249 mph
cruise speed main= 270 km/h V_NO
cruise speed alt= 146 knots, 168 mph
never exceed speed main= 450 km/h V_NE
never exceed speed alt= 243 knots, 280 mph
stall speed main= 110 km/h
stall speed alt= 59 knots, 68 mph
range main= 500 km
range alt= 270 nm, 308 mi
ceiling main= 4,000 m
ceiling alt= 13,123 ft
climb rate main= 17.8 m/s sustained, 25.4 m/s initial
climb rate alt= 3,500 ft/min sustained, 5,000 ft/min initial
loading main= 60.7 kg/m²
loading alt= 12.43 lb/ft²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= 0.295 kW/kg
power/mass alt= 0.179 hp/lb
more performance=
* G-loads: +9; -6 g dependent on tankage and smoke oil installation
* Take-off roll: 100 m (328 ft)
* Landing roll: 250 m (820 ft)
* Take-off speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kt)
* Landing speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kt)
armament=
avionics=