Photograph:
Yakovlev Yak 54B VH-YAQ (c/n 04003) at Bundaberg, QLD in July 2009 (Dave Wilson)
Country of origin:
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Description:
Two-seat sport and aerobatic training aircraft
Power Plant:
One 265 kw (355 hp) VOKBM M-14P nine-cylinder supercharged air-cooled radial engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.16 m (26 ft 9¼ in)
- Length: 6.91 m (22 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 12.89 m² (138.75 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 450 km/h (280 mph)
- Stalling speed: 110 km/h (69 mph)
- Rate of roll: 345 degrees per second
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 900 m/min (2,950 ft/min)
- Ferry range: 700 km (435 miles)
- Max take-off weight (one pilot): 850 kg (1,874 lb)
- Max take-off weight (two pilots): 990 kg (2,182 lb)
History:
The Yak 54 series of fully aerobatic light aircraft was announced in 1992, the prototype flying for the first time on 23 December 1993. Subsequently the type was placed in production at the Company’s Saratov Aviation Plant. Largest production order for the type was placed in January 1997 by the Northwest Aerobatic Center, Ephrata, Washington, USA, which ordered 48 examples, this operator having an airshow team using the type, the team being known as the ‘Dancing Bear”.
Derived from the Yak 55 series, the Yak 54 was optimised for unlimited aerobatics. It was of conventional mid-wing configuration, with symmetrical section, no dihedral or anhedral or incidence, and almost full-span ailerons. Its elevators and rudder were all horn balanced. The structure was all-metal, with a two-spar wing, a semi-monocoque fuselage, and a conventional tail unit. Undercarriage was fixed with titanium spring cantilever main legs. Power plant was the Soviet-designed reliable and tried 265 kw (355 hp) M-14P nine-cylinder supercharged air-cooled radial driving a three-blade variable pitch propeller.
First of the type seen in this region was VH-YAQ (c/n 04003 – ex N542YK). This aircraft was imported from the United States and registered to Trade Winds Investments of Runaway Bay, QLD in December 1999.