Yak 18T Experience
Big, Bulbous, Blunt and Beautiful.
For sport aircraft aficionados, Cowra was the place to be in September this year, with the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia holding its annual national convention.
With the number of sport aircraft online with us growing, we thought we should make the journey and place some faces to the growing list of SAAA names.
Having loaded up the car, the intrepid Aviation Advertiser team (Arno Smit our Web Guy, Max Miller our National Advertising Manager and I) armed with our cameras, red-shirts and the spirit of adventure – set off for Cowra.
After the important two or three McDonalds stops, some seriously tone-deaf singing and 4 hours of driving we arrived.
You could not have asked for better weather, with Cowra was in full form. SAAA fly-in members and aviation enthusiasts enjoyed exceptional clear skies, with Cowra displaying its beautiful springtime appeal. Interestingly, Cowra would have to be one of the cleanest and tidiest towns I have ever seen, everything was just so picturesque and neat.
Wasting no time, we made our way directly to the airport to set up. On arrival, we were immediately impressed with the lines of fly-in aircraft in the parking areas and the setup of tent’s, marquees, trade-stands and aircraft manufacturers.
Making our way to the trade marquee and having set up our modest little stand (a desk), we started handing out business cards and talking to people about aviation advertiser. Much to our delight, we received some great positive feedback; with many people commenting that they had heard of us, or had been speaking to someone who knew of us, or in fact had their aircraft online with us. A very rewarding experience for all of us.
Towards midday we bumped into the very friendly face of Paul Goard of Brumby Aircraft Australia. And, it wasn’t long before Paul was introducing us to everyone and taking time to show us around. Spending some time with Paul, you very quickly realise that he is very passionate about aviation and all things flying, and his enthusiasm easily rubs off.
Around mid-afternoon, and having received a great personal tour of the Airport and facilities, Paul invited us to take a ride in his spectacular Yak 18T. There was no umming or ahh’ing about it, we accepted!
My first impressions of this aircraft, was that it reminded me of the old blue and white Leyland bus I rode to school in! First impression if this big bird is that it looks heavy and cumbersome.
Before we could get underway we had to move the YAK into a clear area on the apron, and much to my surprise I turned to see Paul hanging from the underside of the tail of the aircraft, now with its nose wheel off the ground!
I wonder if I hung off the tail of our Cessna 172 what the consequence would be!
After moving the aircraft clear, we climbed on board and strapped in. Inside, the YAK has lots of room and windows to match, there is an incredible amount of visibility from this aircraft.
Paul quickly ran through the start-up process and brought the M14P to life – what a noise! There’s nothing quite like the sound of a radial up-front to give you some confidence! Headsets on and we were underway, but wait! Where’s the toe-brakes! And, what’s this turn-indicator like metal thing on the control wheel?
Much to my surprise, I learned that just about everything on the YAK is air operated! It takes a little learning, but you quickly grasp the concept of pushing the appropriate rudder pedal – then pulling on the airbrake actuator to effect the turn! Reminiscent of driving a twin track bulldozer!
Having taxied out to the runway holding point we quickly ran through our run-ups. The M14P sounds impressive.
In the cockpit it’s a pretty standard affair and is very well appointed, except that everything on the dials is in Russian! Although there are English placards everywhere, it’s quite a novel feeling to be in something so foreign!
Temps and pressures in the green, and having received our clearance to take-off we entered the runway. Lined up and ready to go, Paul releases the 360 waiting horses and away the big girl rolls. The YAK 18T pulls, and it ought to, the propeller on this big Russian bird looks like two massive paddles.
Very quickly we are airborne and with the rush of the pneumatic retract system the gear is on its way up, and the Yak is back where it belongs, in the sky. The M14P upfront is humming or should I say thundering and before you know it, you’re cruising along at 140kts!
With the takeoff out of the way and settling into the cruise you start to realise that this big Russian bird is actually quite docile and a total delightful to fly. Much to my surprise the YAK 18T is very light on the controls and is well balanced in the air.
Out over a clear area we made some gentle turns, gradually increasing the pitch and bank until we were making gentle wingovers – this is so much fun! After all, this is a completely aerobatic four place aircraft!
Having had our fun, it was time to head back to Cowra. By now just about every sport aircraft was arriving, and the traffic was more reminiscent of the Bankstown training circuit. The Yak’s incredible cockpit visibility was invaluable, and made working our way back amongst the traffic so much more comfortable.
Entering the circuit on downwind, we started bringing the YAK back to earth. Power coming back, the YAK decelerates comfortably and remains light and responsive on the controls. At 110 kts the gear comes down with a rush of air, and now its time to make our turn to base, descending through to final.
On final the big bird gently makes it way down. Crossing the fence and over the threshold, and with some loving words by Paul, the big, bulbous, blunt and beautiful YAK settles onto her wheels and rolls out in front of the growing crowd of SAAA aircraft and spectators. And, they’re all watching!
Every pre-conception you have about this aircraft is wrong, and I don’t mind admitting it. It’s beautiful. It may look a little different, but underneath it’s an incredible package of performance, durability, fun and practicality. And, given its $130,000 price tag, it’s actually an affordable touring aircraft that will guarantee an audience on every arrival and departure!
Thank you again to Paul and the team from Brumby Aircraft Sales Australia for this truly unique experience. For more information, visit: www.yakaircraftsales.com.au
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