Yakolev Yak-18

Development of the Yakolev Yak-18 by Aleksandr Sergei Yakolev started during the Second World War. During the closing stages of the War, the Yak-18 tandem two-seat primary trainer appeared, entering service with Soviet training elements in 1946. Since the Yak-18 has been progressively developed and has remained in continuous production for over forty years.

Yakovlev 18

 

Evolved from Yak-18, the Yak-18T has an extensively redesigned cabin, a new fuselage centre section, and a new wing centre section and an increased wing span. The aircraft was designed by the Yakolev Design Bureauas as a multi-role light transport aircraft. The Yak-18T was noticed first in 1967 and over 200 aircraft were built. Production initially ceased in 1989, but was resumed by the Smolensk Aircraft Factory in 1993. While primarily used for training Aeroflot pilots, the Yak-18T was widely used for more generalised flight training, air ambulance and light transport. The Yak-18T is equipped with a 269kW / 300 hp Ivchenko Vedeneyev AI-14RF nine cylinder, air-cooled engine. The 400 hp Vedeneyev M-14P 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine can also be fitted.

NATO code name ‘ Max’, both the -18PM and -18PC had 300-hp Ivchenko AI14RF engines. The Yakolev Yak-18T is aerobatic-capable, with an inward retractable tricycle landing gear.

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