Yak-52... anyone have or has had one?

[mudkow60]

Has anyone owned a Yak-52 before? I found one for a good price and am thinking about buying. It would be the first aircraft that I have bought. Is this ok for a "newbie" like me to buy and fly?

Thanks.

 

[katanabob]

First question is what year is it and which spar does it have. I think '84 was the year they went to the heavy spar, but I'm not 100% certain.

Find a mechanic who has worked on the M14 before. The pneumatic system is unique and you'll be hard pressed to find manuals that will do most mechanics (read: non-Russian mechanics) any good. I have a set of the best translated manuals, and I can only understand most of them because they're illustrated. (I also have the Russian manuals, and have a Russian friend who can translate)

The air-start system will take you a while (and a few scuba tanks) to get used to. You don't get many tries (two, at best) from one charge, and if you can't start.. you better have a spare tank handy. We always kept two 80 cubic feet scuba tanks charged and in the hangar. You'll need to buy/find an umbilical to run between the tank and airplane, if they don't already have one.) If you can't get it started.. know where the local dive shop is and make sure you have your PADI card handy. (most shops won't charge a tank for you unless you have one) Oh, and battery voltage *is* important as well.. since like a Jacobs, the M14 utilizes the 'one mag, one distributor' system. (There are other variants. Make sure you know which one you have.)

Chaeck out the radios/instruments. The Artificial horizon turns backwards, (up/down. it's a trip.) and everything else will likely be marked in potatoes, not knots, feet, or any meaningful units. Thankfully, they're color coded.

That said, the airplane is bullet-proof. You can't hurt it. (Well, you can.. but you'll hurt yourself first) You just need skilled help with experience working on Russian stuff. The local shop may not be able to handle it.

Any more questions.. fire away.

 

[mudkow60]

Thanks.... good info. There seem to be a lot of 52's in the Deer Valley area near where I live. The owner said that the full annual will run around $1000 (if you (the owner) does none of the work). He also said there are lots of Yak mech in the AZ area.

I can pm you the link if you think that would help (and if you promise not to snag it... jk).

I have met a few folks that fly and love them. They say it is the best plane for the money you can buy.

Thanks.

 

[agpilot34]

As far as radial engines go, the M14 is probably the easiest on the pocketbook as far as maintainance is concerned. And, they are darn near bulletproof. It just takes a bit to get used to the air start system and the other oddities that make up a russian aircraft. I've been around a couple of Pitts 12's and a Sukhoi with that engine, and from what I've seen, once you get the hang of how it works, and hold your nose right, she'll fire up every time... UNLIKE some Pratts I've had the pleasure of operating. Radial engines just take a bit of a different touch, but once you get it figured out, there is nothing quite like flying behind one!

 

[Simon Says]

As far as radial engines go, the M14 is probably the easiest on the pocketbook as far as maintainance is concerned. And, they are darn near bulletproof. It just takes a bit to get used to the air start system and the other oddities that make up a russian aircraft. I've been around a couple of Pitts 12's and a Sukhoi with that engine, and from what I've seen, once you get the hang of how it works, and hold your nose right, she'll fire up every time... UNLIKE some Pratts I've had the pleasure of operating. Radial engines just take a bit of a different touch, but once you get it figured out, there is nothing quite like flying behind one!

Was this airplane used in an airshow? Deer Valley.....I gave a guy his M.E. Rating and he owned a Yak out there and did the airshow circuit.

 

[mudkow60]

Nope... the plane is is WA.

Trying to get all my ducks in a row before I make the trip out there with a wad of cash in my hands.

Aside from annual, ramp, fuel and insurance, what costs are there to owning your own slice of Russian technology?

 

[88_MALIBU]

I have wanted the new Yak TW version forever. I love that plane. There is a dealer in ILL named Harvey something... If you buy it PM me. I wanna pimp you for info.

 

[FN FAL]

Nope... the plane is is WA.

Trying to get all my ducks in a row before I make the trip out there with a wad of cash in my hands.

Aside from annual, ramp, fuel and insurance, what costs are there to owning your own slice of Russian technology?

Don Kerlin is someone I met from Quincy Illinois. Here is an article on him and his sales of Migs and other planes.

Maybe he can help you out or maybe the article will just be interesting to read.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.10/kirlin_pr.html

Kirlins planes fly against military people in training, which is interesting on it's own.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Don Kerlin is someone I met from Quincy Illinois. Here is an article on him and his sales of Migs and other planes.

Maybe he can help you out or maybe the article will just be interesting to read.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.10/kirlin_pr.html

Kirlins planes fly against military people in training, which is interesting on it's own.

http://www.air-usa.com/

and

http://www.redair.net/home.html

Be interesting to see if he ever gets the MiG-29's in the air. He's been working on that for a few years.

 

[Huggyu2]

Deer Valley?! Man, I think there are a BUNCH of Yak-52 and CJ-6's there. You should be able to find a lot sources that are smart on those two types in the Phoenix area. I'm pretty sure there's a formation group that does airshows there, and they use the Yak.