Yakovlev Yak-18t

Single Piston

The Yakovlev Yak-18T is a four-seat single-engine aircraft that represents the civilian evolution of the Soviet Union's legendary Yak-18 military trainer lineage. First flown in 1967, the Yak-18T was developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau as a touring and light utility aircraft for Aeroflot and civilian flying clubs, featuring a fully enclosed cabin, tricycle landing gear, and significantly improved comfort compared to its tandem-seat military predecessors. Powered by a 360-horsepower Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial engine, the type offered robust construction and excellent short-field performance that made it popular across the vast Soviet territories. The Yak-18T's all-metal airframe and generous wing area give it docile handling characteristics and a stall speed around 52 knots in landing configuration, while its never-exceed speed of 189 knots provides a respectable cruise capability for a radial-powered tourer. The aircraft seats four in a side-by-side front and rear arrangement, with dual controls standard. Production continued at the Smolensk aircraft factory through 1993, with approximately 250 examples built. Today the type remains active in private hands worldwide, prized by warbird enthusiasts and pilots who appreciate its classic radial engine sound, aerobatic capability (some variants are stressed for basic aerobatics), and connection to Soviet aviation heritage. SkyMeter has tracked 17 flights across 6 airframes and 3 operators, with SCHUTS, Jamie the largest observed operator.