The Yakovlev Yak-55 is a single-seat aerobatic aircraft initially built in the 1980s by the Yakovlev design bureau. It is a mid-wing aircraft that first took to the air on May 28, 1981. The Yak-55 set numerous records for different pilots for winning aerobatic championships around the world.

Manufacturer:
Yakovlev
Country:
Russia
Manufactured:
1981 to: 1993
ICAO:
YK55
Price:
Avionics:
Engine:
1x Vedeneyev M14P 9-cylinder radial engine
Piston
Power:
360 horsepower
Max Cruise Speed:
165 knots
306 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
54 knots
Travel range:
381 Nautical Miles
706 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
13,125 feet
Rate of Climb:
3050 feet / minute
15.49metre / second
Take Off Distance:
150 metre - 492.12 feet
Landing Distance:
300 metre - 984.24 feet
Max Take Off Weight:
975 Kg
2,149 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
90 Kg
198 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
73 gallon
276 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
1 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
7.29 metre - 23.92 feet
Tail height:
2.25 metre - 7.38 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
1 metre - 3.28 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
8.15 metre - 26.74 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

In 1984, the Yak-55 was initially used by the Soviet aerobatic team during the World Aerobatic Championship where they successfully won the competition. In the same year, the Yak-55 designated as Kh-Makagonova operated by the Soviet woman’s aerobatic team had won first place on the competition.

The first prototype and the initial production version of Yak-55 had a long wingspan. The revised production variant was redesigned with a shortened wingspan and wing area. The Yak-55M is a more enhanced version with modified wings. It has a wingspan of 8.10 meters and a wing area of 12.8 square meters. The aircraft has an external length of 7.29 meters, an external height of 2 meters, a tail height of 2.25 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1 meter. It is operated by a single crew. The wheelbase is 5.5 meters.

The aircraft is powered by a single Vedeneyev M14P radial engine. It is a nine-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled radial with a centrifugal, single-stage, single-speed supercharger, floatless carburetor fuel system, gear-type pump oil system, air-cooling system and is rated at 360.1 horsepower.

The aircraft has a gross weight of 855 kg for aerobatics, a maximum takeoff weight of 975 kg for a ferry flight, a maximum payload of 90 kg, and a fuel tank capacity of 73 US gallons. It has a maximum speed of 165 knots, a stall speed of 54 knots, and a never exceed speed of 240 knots.

The ferry range is 381 nautical miles. It can fly up to 13,125 feet and can climb at a rate of 3,050 feet per minute. The takeoff and landing distances are 150 meters and 300 meters, respectively.

The Technoavia SP-55M is developed from the Yak-55M that features a newly designed vertical tail and control surfaces covered by composite material. The Yak-56 is designed with low wings and retractable landing gear. It was built as a two-seater trainer but wasn’t able to enter production.

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