A qualitative evaluation of the spin and recovery characteristics of the Yakovlev Yak-52 airplane

With the demise of the former Soviet Union many aircraft types which were previously unknown have become commonplace to western pilots. One such type is the Yakovlev Yak-52 unlimited acrobatic training airplane. The relatively low acquisition cost makes it accessible to pilots with a wide range of experience and proficiency. A qualitative evaluation was made of the spin arid recovery characteristics of the Yak-52 airplane. Twenty-eight stalls and fifty-two spins were conducted over a nine-month period at both forward and aft centers of gravity. The spin modes included normal erect, accelerated arid flat spins as well as inverted spins. At the forward center of gravity the airplane was equipped with a data acquisition system. Normal erect recoveries were found to be easy and precise within one half-turn requiring minimal control forces. Accelerated and flat spins resulted in high rates of rotation and high control forces with recoveries for aft centers of gravity requiring up to four turns. As this is starkly different from the characteristics found in most western training airplanes, it is vitally important that pilots of the Yak-52 airplane be made fully aware of these characteristics before attempting such maneuvers.