Yakovlev Yak-52

The Yakovlev Yak-52 is a Soviet primary trainer aircraft that first flew in 1976. It was designed as an aerobatic trainer for students of the DOSAAF organisation, which trained civilian sport pilots and military pilots, and it was produced in Romania from 1977 to 1998 by Aerostar under the designation Iak-52, under an agreement within the COMECON trade organisation. It is powered by a Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial engine of 360 hp. A number of westernised versions with western avionics, a three-blade propeller, a more powerful M14PF engine or a conventional tailwheel undercarriage are now produced. In 2024 Ukrainian Yak-52s were reported to be used against drones, with a shooter in the rear seat.