@ San Carlos, CA
September 2024
A trio of Yakovlev Yak-52 trainers congregate at San Carlos Airport. The Yak-52 is a Soviet primary trainer that first flew in 1976, designed as an aerobatic trainer for students in the Soviet flight training system. The aircraft has inverted fuel and oil systems permitting inverted flight for as long as two minutes. The Yak-52 is responsive and very capable as an aerobatic aircraft and has been popular in international aerobatic competitions. One interesting design feature is the retractable tricycle landing gear. The main gear remains exposed in the retracted position, affording a measure of protection should the aircraft be forced to land “wheels up.”
