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The Yakovlev Yak-18T is a aerobatic-capable, four-seater low wing light
multi-role cabin aircraft with an inward retractable tricycled
landinggear. Development of the Yakovlev Yak-18 by Aleksandr Sergei
Yakovlev 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 over fourty years in
continuos production. 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 Yakovlev 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 resumed by the Smolensk
Aircraft Factory in 1993. While primary used for training Aeroflot pilots,
the Yak-18T was widely used for more generalised flight training, air
ambulance and light transport. The Yak-18T airplane is equipped with a 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. |
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On 24 June 2008, Yakolev Yak-18T HA-YAJ visited Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands when on its way
from the UK. This Hungarian registered Yakovlev is based at White Waltham and was registered before LY-APP in Lithuanian.
The move from the Lithuanian to the Hungarian register was done after the UK based Russian and Lithunian registered Yakolev Yak-18Ts
were grounded, after it turned out that the Russians hadn't certified the Yak-18T for international use
and the Lithuanians only issued tickets because they were following the Russians' lead. As Hungary is a full JAA member and
had carried out its own CofA certification programme, all UK-based Yak-18Ts switched to the HA- register. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
