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. The I.Av. Bacau was renamed Aerostar S.A. in 1991. Over 1800 have been produced to date starting with
series-production in 1979. At the peak of production 150 aircraft were manufactured per year. Aerostar in Bacau,
Romania is still producing the Yak-52 in limited numbers on request. The present Models are the Yak-52W, an
upgraded derivative with Western instruments, radio, electrical etc. and the tail wheel version Yak-52TW. After
the introduction of the Yak-52TW in the USA it was shown there was great demand for a cheaper version of
the Yak-52 tail dragger type of aircraft. Termikas, Lithuania, have undertaken a design study to convert
during overhaul or to supply as a "kit" the necessary parts for conversion of the standard YAK 52 to Tail
Dragger configuration: the Yak-52TD.
The in 1988 by IAv Bacau built Yakovlev Yak-52 s/n 888914 entered service with the DOSAAF, a paramilitary sport organisation in the Soviet Union,
as yellow/101. After the aircraft was decommissioned from DOSAAF services the YAK 52 was registered RA-2075K and sold to Germany. The Yak-52 RA-2015K
was painted in "DOSAAF red/101" colours and operated by Kunstfug-Yak at Flugplatz Hatten. In 2011, the aircraft was sold in the Netherlands, and on 5 March 2011, Yak-52
RA-2015K was flown to Lelystad Airport, its new home. On 5 March 2013, the aircraft was registered PH-DTM in the Netherlands with M.H. Schoonderbeek,
Ede. Today, Yakovlev Yak-52 PH-DTM is based at Teuge airfield. On 9 September 2008, Yakovlev Yak-52 RA-2075K was seen in its "DOSAAF red/101" colors
at Flugplatz Hatten near Oldenburg.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
