The plane is a 1988 Yak-52 designed by the Russian Yakovlev Design Bureau to be an advance aerobatic trainer. It is a tandem two seat trainer built like a tank weighing in at just over 2800 pounds at gross weight. The Yak-52 came from the factory with a Vendeneyev M14P nine cylinder radial engine producing 360 h.p.
What makes this Bad Yak a special aircraft is,... it has been outfitted with a M14PF radial engine producing whopping 400 h.p. and came from the factory with a heavy spar. Bad Yak has been outfitted with a unique sighting device to aid in flying competition aerobatics. We are currently working on shedding several pounds in antiquated avionics to make Bad Yak more competitive in more advance categories of competition. Bad Yak retains an original paint scheme of Russian flight schools.
The Yak has several interesting attributes unique among western aircraft. The Russian radial engine turns in the opposite direction than we are use to. It uses pneumatics for the starter, landing gear, flaps, and breaks. The Yak was also designed to have a very short range... mainly to discourage pilots from defecting.
The Yak-52 is a wonderful aircraft that is a delight to fly. It has light control forces and a nice harmony of controls. The Yak is extremely forgiving at slower airspeeds and has a flight envelope ranging from a one G stall speed of 55 knots to a never exceed speed of 230 knots. On the ground the Yak-52 appears to be a menacing machine coupled with a fighter-like cockpit. Once strapped in and in the air, the Yak becomes a nimble aerobatic ride! But the Yak does command respect though. With 400 h.p. and a huge two bladed prop the gyroscopic effect that it produces is enormous. The normal takeoff roll requires almost full left rudder!
The Pilot
My name is Noel Jones and I am an advocate for everything that general aviation has to offer especially the wonderful world of aerobatics. I am an Instrument rated Commercial Pilot with over 2500 hours in over 36 different aircraft. I am also a Certified Flight Instructor with the designation of Gold Seal Flight Instructor which is awarded by the FAA to Flight Instructors who have maintained a high level of training activity while meeting certain criteria such as a high student success rate. I currently specialize in teaching Upset Recovery, Stall Spin Training, and Basic Aerobatics. I believe courses like these help make any pilot more proficient and a safer pilot.
I became interested in competition aerobatics through my interest of teaching upset recovery. Bob Harris first introduced me to the International Aerobatic Club in 2004 and I have been competing ever since.
If you live in the Northwest and are interested in aerobatic or spin training, feel free to contact me either at noel@badyak.com or 503-474-8124. I fly out of MMV McMinnville Oregon.
The Plane and Pilot
I purchased Bad Yak from Bob Harris in 2006 and began competing with the Yak in 2007. Although a delight to fly, it is a very complex aircraft to fly in competition. I had to get use to the higher gyroscopic forces at slower speeds and managing the energy. It is fun to fly one of the largest most complex aircraft at a competition. We are currently trying to reduce some of its weight to make the Yak more competitive in more advance categories. I fly Bad Yak at regional contests throughout the Northwest and Canada.
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