The Yak-50 Specifications

The Yakovlev design number 50, or the Yak-50, is a single-place, low wing, single engine, competition-level aerobatic aircraft designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau in Russia in 1972.

The first flight was in 1972. It was put to the test in the 1976 World Aerobatic Championships, in which it took the top two places in the men's competition and the top five in the women's.

Although it was never introduced directly into Russian military service, military pilots who were trained in state-sponsored aeroclubs (DOSAAF) were trained in the Yak-50. The Yak-50, having a much better weight to horsepower ratio than the standard trainers of the day (Yak-18A), was used as an advanced aerobatic mount for competition and military fighter pilots. The Yak-50 was used as a military trainer in several other nations. It has a better climb capability than many World War II aircraft, including the P-51 Mustang and the Spitfire. It climbs like a "scalded cat." It has the weight of a Cessna 150 with either the 360 or 400 hp engine.

Crew: Pilot, engine: M-14P (360 or 400 hp), two or three blade constant speed propeller, wingspan: 9.5m (31'2"), length: 7.8m (25'7"), height: 3.2m (10'6"), wing area: 15.0m2, start mass: 900kg, empty mass: 765kg, max speed: 320kph (200 mph), cruise speed: 240kph, ceiling: 6000m (19,680'), range: 550km, climb rate: 1,067m (3,500'/min.) sustained (initial climb rate: 1,524m (5,000'/min.).

International Aerobatic Competition

1970 Yak-18PS: First & 13th place, mens
        Yak-18 PM: 14 & 27th place, mens
        Yak-18PM: 1,2,5,7,8th place, women
1972  Yak-18PM: 2nd, 5th, 15th place, mens
        Yak-18PM: 2, 3, 6th place, women
1976 Yak-50: 1,2,5,7,9th place, mens
        Yak-50: 1 thru 5th place, women
1978 Yak-50: 5,6,11,13th place, mens
        Yak-50: 1 thry 5th place, women
1982 Yak-50: 1st, 7,11,13th place, mens
        Yak-50: 1,2,3,6,8th place, women

Above photo is of the first prototype Yak-50, note the bubble canopy.

Notes from Bill Nielsen, owner of Yak 72-0001: 

The first two prototypes were built by the Yakovlev Design Bureauin 1972, and started test flying that same year. The last test tlight was made by prototype number one in l975. There were several differences between prototype number one and number two. Namely, that number one started life as having fixed, non-retractable landing gear. Secondly, it also had a smooth bubble canopy that was much more modern looking. The first of a series of modifications to serial # 1 was the addition of semi-retractable landing gear that matched that of the Yak 18PS one and only prototype. The second modification came shortly after when the bubble canopy was replaced by the Yak l BPM canopy (same as used on the PS also). Both prototypes had flush riveted wings, a more curved oil cooler profile, a three light system fuel gage, different wing and tail attach fittings and a smaller tailwheel. There were other differences, such as no flight.

Of the two prototypes, only the first has survived, having been put into factory storage. It was prototype # 1 that became serial (production) number one and had the board number changed to l0l. My plane has been put into the Smolensk skunkworks where it has had all 62 AD's as called for by the Yak Design Bureau, the latest new spar, wing attach fittings, and the heavier firewall.

OUR OTHER YAK-50 PAGES

         Click here to see the world-wide Yak-50 Census.

    Click for Yak-50 photo album.

       Click the Cockpit photo for survey questions and answers and a further link to Testimonials about the Yak-50.

     

Click here for mechanical problems experienced by owners.

         Click here to know more about N63RA.

 

    Click here for a list of Yak-50 Enhancements.

 

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