Yakovlev Yak-52

The Yakovlev Yak-52 is a two-seater tandem low wing civil and military aerobatic trainer aircraft with semi-retractable tricycled landinggear. Development of the Yakovlev Yak-52, originally known Yak-50U, started in 1973 as a successor of the Yakovlev Yak-18 training aircraft. The Yakovlev 52 was designed by the Yakovlev 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-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.