The Yak-18

Based on the Soviet Union’s Yakolev UT-2M trainer, the Yak 18 first flew in 1945 when the dust of the last WWII battle had hardly settled. The plane was redesigned as the Yak-18U in 1955, with increased wing dihedral, longer fuselage and partially-retractable tricycle landing gear, for use as a jet pilot primary trainer. With a new engine, the 260hp Ivchenko AI-14R radial, in a revised cowling, it served for many years as the primary trainer in the Soviet Union and many client nations, under the designation Yak-18A Manufacture of the Yak-18 trainer was suspended in 1967 with 6,670 of all versions built, many for export.

Built under license in China, the basic Yak-18 was known as the Nanchang CJ-5. In 1961, an improved CJ-6A gained approval and was produced beginning in 1962 using a 285hp Quzhou Huosai HS6A engine. More than 1,800 CJ-6As were produced, including those exported to nations such as Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Tanzania and Zambia under the designation BT-6. As of 2007, the Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company was still manufacturing the CJ-6G, a modernized version featuring such improvements as increased power, a strengthened fuselage structure, bigger fuel tanks, and other modifications.

More than 10,000 of all types are believed to have been produced. Both the Yak-18 and the Nanchang CJ-6 have become popular with pilots worldwide who appreciate the sturdy qualities, reliability and personality of these Chinese warbirds.

C-FXMI, was imported into Canada in 1994

Specifications (CJ-6A):

• Engine: One 285-hp Quzhou Huosai-6A HS6A radial piston engine
• Weight: Empty 2,200 lbs., Max Takeoff 3,080 lbs.
• Wing Span: 33.4 ft.
• Length: 27.75 ft.
• Height: 10.7 ft.
• Performance:
  • Maximum Speed: 230 mph
  • Ceiling: 17,000 ft.
  • Range: 450 miles

Number Still Airworthy: 200+ in private ownership; Unknown number in active military service.