Photograph:
Australian registered SP-55M VH-JCE (c/n 01-01 – ex RA-44547) at Kyneton, VIC in August 2009 (Phil Vabre)
Country of origin:
Russia
Description:
Single-seat aerobatic monoplane
Power Plant:
One 298 kw (400 hp) Vedeneyev M-14PF nine-cylinder radial air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8 m 26 ft 3 in)
- Length: 7.48 m (24 ft 7 in)
- Height: 2.22 m (7 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 12.17 m² (131 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 405 km/h (252 mph)
- Max level speed: 330 km/h (205 mph)
- Normal cruising speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Rate of climb: 1,158 m/min (3,800 ft/min)
- Take-off roll: 100 m (328 ft)
- Landing roll: 450 m (1,476 ft)
- Aerobatic loading: +9/-6 G
- Range with 30 mins reserve: 650 km (404 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 184 litres (40 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 720 kg (1,587 lb)
- Loaded weight in aerobatic category: 897 kg (1,978 lb)
- Max loaded weight: 997 kg (2,198 lb)
History:
The SP-55M was a re-designed and developed variant of the Yakovlev Yak-55 and has been built and marketed by Technovia in Moscow. Like its predecessor, it has been a popular aircraft around the world for competition in Unlimited Category competitions. The Yak-55M became available in the 1980s and was popular in Europe and the USA but the supply was limited because production concluded in 1992 and only second-hand aircraft were available for export to western countries. However, in about 2000, a new model was developed by Technovia and these were new-build aircraft with a number of improvements in significant areas, including flying controls and cockpit ergonomics. Changes to the design were overseen by Slava Kondratiev, who was involved in the design of the Yak-55 and Sukhoi SU-26 aircraft.
The airframe was built in Eastern Russia at the Arsenyiev factory where Kamov helicopters have been produced and where an initial batch of ten airframes was built. They were then shipped to Technovia in Moscow for installation of the engine and final fitting out. Some re-design was made to the fuselage to permit a built-up turtle-deck arrangement that permitted an enclosed luggage space behind the seat. The rudder was enlarged and the aircraft was given a slightly swept trailing-edge. Power plant was the Vedeneyev M-14PF driving an MT propeller 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) in diameter. The 298 kw (400 hp) engine provided an extra 30 kw (40 hp), the extra power being achieved by uprating the supercharger gearing.
The undercarriage was longer and of tubular spring steel whereas the Yak-55 had titanium alloy. There were a number of detail changes, including the wing tips and trailing edges. The ailerons were radically altered in design. In the United Kingdom the series was offered for sale, described as “If you want a new aerobatic aircraft that will give you close to Sukhoi SU-31 performance, yet at 40% of the price there is no other aircraft to consider. When you also add a robust and very proven airframe and engine, cheap maintenance and ease of flying, look no further.”
One example of this variant has been imported to Australia. This aircraft VH-JCE (c/n 01-01)– ex RA44547) was built as the prototype of this variant in 2000 and, after some period of testing in Russia, was imported to Australia, being registered on 14 March 2005 to its owner, being based at Kyneton, VIC.