Yakovlev Yak-12

The Yakovlev Yak-12 was introduced in the late 1940s as a light utility aircraft. Designed for liaison and agricultural roles, it served widely in the Soviet Union. The aircraft emphasized short-field performance.

Yakovlev Yak 12 SP ABA © Krzysztof Dobrzanski

Overview

Yakovlev Russia ICAO: YK12 1946–1960 Active $47,000 (2019)

Yakovlev Yak-12 — light utility aircraftThe Yak-12 first flew in 1946 and entered service shortly thereafter. It featured a high-wing configuration and fixed landing gear. The aircraft was suited to operations from rough and unprepared fields.A radial piston engine producing approximately 160 horsepower powered the Yak-12. Cruise speed was around 105 knots (194 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 2,000 pounds (907 kg).The Yak-12 saw extensive use in civil and military roles. Its rugged design made it adaptable for agricultural and liaison duties. Many aircraft remained in service for decades.

Live Fleet Activity (YK12)

📡

Fetching live data…

Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Ivchenko AI-14R
Engine type
Piston
Power
260 hp · 194 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
4
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
29 ft 6 in  ·  9.00 m
Tail height
10 ft 3 in  ·  3.12 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 11 in  ·  1.20 m
Wing span
41 ft 4 in  ·  12.60 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
3,500 lb  ·  1,600 kg
Max landing weight
3,500 lb  ·  1,600 kg
Max payload
1,150 lb  ·  550 kg
Fuel capacity
Max cruise speed
98 kt  ·  113 mph  ·  181 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
44 kt  ·  51 mph  ·  81 km/h
Range
440 nm  ·  510 mi  ·  810 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
13,650 ft  ·  4,200 m
Rate of climb
810 ft/min  ·  4 m/s
Takeoff distance
410 ft  ·  130 m
Landing distance
300 ft  ·  90 m
(/) tap to zoom
(/)
Yakovlev Yak-12M

Live fleet activity details

📡
Fetching live data…
All Active Aircraft Types
Flight Airline Reg Alt Speed Heading V/S

Operational Context

The Yakovlev Yak-12 was developed by the Yakovlev design bureau due to the need of the Soviet Air Force for a new liaison and utility aircraft in 1944. It was meant to take over the Po-2 biplane that was already obsolete.

The Yak-12 was also intended to be in service with civil aviation to replace the AIR-6 light utility aircraft. The initial proposal of the design bureau was the Yak-10, a four-place high-wing aircraft developed in January 1945. In 1947, the Yak-10 was replaced by the Yak-12, equipped with an improved engine, modified wings and landing gear, and a revised fuselage. In the same year, the Yak-12 took to the air for the first time.

The Yak-12 has an external length of 9 meters, an external height of 2.4 meters, a tail height of 3.12 meters, and a fuselage width of 1.2 meters. The conventional fixed landing gear has a wheelbase of 6.6 meters. The high wings have a wingspan of 12.6 meters and a wing area of 23.8 square meters.

The Yak-12R is powered by a single Ivchenko AI-14R engine. It is a nine-cylinder, air-cooled, radial piston capable of producing 256 horsepower of thrust. The engine has a single-stage, single-speed, geared centrifugal superchargers, carburetor fuel system, and an air-cooling system.

It also has a 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 98 knots at sea level, a cruise speed of 69 knots, and a landing speed of 44 knots. It has a travel range of 413 nautical miles. It can fly up to 13,650 feet and can climb at a rate of 810 feet per minute.

The time to altitude in four minutes is 1,000 meters, the takeoff distance is 126 meters, and the landing distance is 90 meters. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff and landing weight of 1,588 kg. It has a maximum payload of 529 kg, an empty weight of 1,026 kg, and a gross weight of 1,450 kg.