The Yak-50 is a Soviet-origin, single-seat aerobatic and training aircraft built in the 1970s. It secured two world aerobatic championship titles. The Yak-50 features a metal fuselage and wings with fabric-covered control surfaces for weight reduction. It has retractable landing gear but lacks flaps. The Vedeneyev M14P (standard production), M14PF, or M14R compressed engines produce between 360 and 450 horsepower. The landing gear, brakes, and starter operate on compressed air.
Due to the intense forces on the airframe, the Soviet national aerobatic team typically retired these aircraft after about 50 flight hours, resulting in several structural failures, including fatal accidents involving champions like Viktor Letsko.
Reinforcements were later added to the wing spars, preventing further breakages.
The Yak-50 is renowned for its exceptional handling, high power-to-weight ratio, and robust, agile airframe. It won two world aerobatic championships and was used for military training in several countries. After being replaced by the Yak-55 and Su-26, many DOSAAF Yak-50s were either scrapped or stored. Approximately 90 remain airworthy with private owners in Europe, the USA, Australia, and Canada.
Le modèle sera présenté à Carcassonne par Marc-Emmanuel Vallée. Son avion est basé à Castelnaudary. Ce sera le régional de l’étape !
General Characteristics
Length: 7.8 m; Wingspan: 9.5 m; Height: 3.2 m; Wing area: 15 m²
Empty weight: 750 kg; Maximum takeoff weight: 910 kg
Engine: 1 Vedeneyev M-14P, M-14PF, or M-14R, 269/298/336 kW (360/400/450 hp)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 450 km/h (VNE); Maximum speed: 400 km/h (VA); Cruise speed: 270 km/h (VNO); Stall speed: 100 km/h
Range: 500 km; Service ceiling: 4,000 m
Rate of climb: 16.0 m/s at maximum power
Wing loading: 60.7 kg/m²
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.295 kW/kg
Load factor: +9; -6 g
Takeoff distance: 100 m; Landing distance: 250 m
Takeoff speed: 130 km/h; Landing speed: 110 km/h
Photo Credit: Spot’Air
