Yakovlev Yak-58
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1934 |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Russia |
| Products | Aircraft |
Template:Infobox aircraft The Yakovlev Yak-58 represents a compact utility aircraft designed for multiple roles including transport and business use. It is characterized by a pusher engine layout combined with a twin-boom tail configuration. Production was limited and took place primarily during the late 1990s.
Design and development
In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's dissolution, the Yakovlev design bureau faced a sharp decline in military contracts, necessitating a pivot toward civilian aircraft development to maintain operations. Their initial post-Soviet creation was the Yak-58, conceived as a versatile utility transport aimed at attracting a broad range of customers.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
The Yak-58 is configured as a low-wing monoplane with a pusher configuration propulsion system. It is powered by a rear-mounted Vedeneyev M14PT radial engine situated on the fuselage nacelle, which drives a three-blade propeller. Instead of traditional tailbooms, the design incorporates two sharply swept vertical stabilizers attached directly to the wings, connected by a horizontal tailplane. The landing gear consists of retractable tricycle landing gear arrangement. The cabin accommodates one pilot plus five passengers, or alternatively, the passenger seats can be removed to carry up to 450 kg (990 lb) of cargo.[1][2]
Testing
The prototype's inaugural flight occurred on 26 December 1993 in Tbilisi, Georgia,[1][3] although some accounts suggest the first flight took place later on 17 April 1994.[4] This initial prototype was involved in a fatal accident during the ILA Berlin Air Show on 27 May 1994,[5] while the second prototype successfully flew on 10 October 1994.[1][3]
By 1997, Yakovlev reported having secured orders for approximately 250 units of the Yak-58,[6] including plans for an ELINT variant and a turboprop-powered version to replace the radial engine.[4] Despite these intentions, production was limited at Tbilisi due to financial constraints and political tensions between Georgia and Russia. Efforts were made to revive the project around 2003, potentially relocating manufacturing back to Russia.[7]
Specifications (Yak-58)
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 211.
- ↑ Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 324.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 325.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Taylor 1999, p. 487.
- ↑ Flight International 8–14 June 1994, p. 10.
- ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 212.
- ↑ Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, pp. 325–326.
Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim, Dmitry Komissarov and Sergey Komissarov. OKB Yakovlev: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2005.
- Gunston, Bill and Yefim Gordon. Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1997.
- "ILA '94 Show News: Crash deaths blight Berlin show opening". Flight International, 8–14 June 1994. p. 10.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1999.