Yak18A

The Yakovlev Yak-18A is a Soviet trainer aircraft developed in the late 1950s. It is a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. The Yak-18A was a development of the earlier Yak-18 series, with the "A" designation indicating significant improvements and a more powerful engine. It was designed to train pilots for various Soviet military aircraft.

The aircraft features a metal airframe construction and is powered by a single Ivchenko AI-14 radial engine, typically producing around 260 horsepower. This engine allows for good performance characteristics suitable for primary and advanced flight training. The cockpit is tandem, seating an instructor and a student pilot, with dual controls provided.

The Yak-18A served with the Soviet Air Force and various civil aviation schools. It was also exported to several allied nations. Its robust construction and forgiving flight characteristics made it a popular choice for pilot training. While primarily a trainer, some modified versions may have seen limited utility roles. Production of the Yak-18A continued for a number of years, with many examples remaining in service for decades. Its successor, the Yak-52, built upon the lessons learned from the Yak-18A.