The Yakolev Yak-52 is a two-seater tandem low wing civil and military aerobatic trainer aircraft with semi-retractable tricycled landinggear. Development of the Yakolev Yak-52, originally known Yak-50U, started in 1973 as a successor of the Yakolev Yak-18 training aircraft. The Yakolev 52 was designed by the Yakolev Design Bureau as a trainer version of the single-seat Yak-50. The prototype was flown first in 1974. Production was initiated in 1976 at the Intreprinderea de Avioane Bacau factory in Bacau, Romania and production of the Yak-52 started in 1977.
The Romanian prototype Yak-52 was flown first in May 1978 and deliveries started the same year. The IAK-52 airplane is equipped with a 360 hp Ivchenko Vedeneyev M-14P nine cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine. The 400 hp M14PF can also be fitted. The Yak is all-metal, fully aerobatic machine with an inverted fuel system, and features semi retractable tricycle landing gear. As an aircraft with excellent performance and +7/-5 G limits with two pilots and full fuel, the Yak-52 enables training from basic to unlimited level.
The Yak-52 was used in the Soviet Union as a basic military trainer as well as primary and advanced aerobatic trainer. A vast majority is in use with the Russian DOSAAF Clubs. The I.Av. Bacau was renamed Aerostar S.A. in 1991. Over 1800 have been produced starting with series-production in 1979. At the peak of production 150 aircraft were manufactured per year. Aerostar in Bacau, Romania as of 2009, was still producing the Yak-52 in limited numbers on request. The models were the Yak-52W, an upgraded derivative with Western instruments, radio, electrical etc. and the tail wheel version Yak-52TW.
The 2025 developed Yak-52B2 variant is tailored for counter-drone operations. It features a 90 kg payload capacity under each wing. One pylon mounts a circular-view radar capable of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and weather tracking. The other currently carries a 12-gauge semi-automatic carbine.
The aircraft is further equipped with a weapon aiming subsystem and modern flight control and navigation systems, enabling reliable operations in all weather conditions.
Motor-Sich developed an upgraded version of this aircraft, which received a AІ-450S turboprop engine with 5-blade variable-pitch propeller MTV-5, as well as a number of other new systems. Also, the upgraded version received a new instrument panel with liquid crystal indicators.
Engine: Vedeneyev Ivchyenko M-14P, 360 hp
Crew: 2
Height: 2.7 m
Length: 7.745 m
Wing span: 9.3 m
Wing area: 15 sq. m
Dihedral: 2 degrees
Wing incidence: 2 degrees
Propeller diameter: 2.4 m (V530TA-D35 constant speed propeller)
Wheel track: 2.715 m
Dry weight: 1035 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 1315 kg
Maximum landing weight: 1315 kg
Weight of crew with parachutes: 180 kg
Fuel weight: 90 kg
Oil weight: 10 kg
Maximum fuel load: 120 L
Maximum oil load: 16 L
C of G limits (%): 17.5 – 27.0
Maximum level airspeed (at altitude 1000 m): 270 km/h
Range (10% fuel reserve at 190 km/h): 465 km (2 h 30 min)
Takeoff roll: 180 – 200 m
Landing roll: 330 m
Stall speed, engine at idle – erect flight, clean: 120 km/h
Stall speed, engine at idle – flaps, gear down: 110 km/h
Stall speed, engine at idle – inverted: 150 km/h
Approach speed: 160 km/h
Cruise 70%: 130 kt / 60 lt/hr.
Touchdown speed: 115 – 120 km/h
Takeoff speed: 120 km/h
Climb speed: 170 km/h
ROC: 1800 fpm.
Never exceed speed (VNE): 420 km/h
Maximum manoeuvring speed: 360 km/h
G limits: +7/-5
Maximum gear extended speed: 200 km/h
Maximum flaps extended speed: 170 km/h
Minimum fuel qty for aerobatics: 24 L
Maximum inverted flight time: 2 min (followed by at least 3 min of erect flight)
Maximum oil load for cross-country: 16 L
Maximum oil load for aerobatics: 10 L
Minimum oil load: 8 L
Yak 52TW
Engine: 400 HP
Prop: MTV-9-B/260-29
Motor-Sich UTL-450
Engine: AІ-450S turboprop
Propeller: MTV-5 5-blade variable-pitch
Empty aircraft weight: 900 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 1315/1500 kg (pilot/multi-purpose category)
Maximum horizontal flight speed: 350 km/h
Maximum flight range with 10% fuel reserve: 650 km
Maximum flight range with additional fuel reserve: 2890 km
Practical ceiling: 9000 m
All Aero 