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OK, here something I found out. I looked into YAK 52's. No, I'm not going for one, but it seems maintenance costs are the same as the 150. A new engine for the Yak is $23,000, 0-200 is $22,000 about. Overhauls are 12,000 for both for example. The Yak is experimental exhibition, but most of my aerobatic flying would be close to my airport anyway.

Maybe a Yak could be in my furture in 5 -10 years (I would still keep my 150 though).

Steve

Interesting... What are Yak's selling for these days?

I know one guy who bought a new one in 2003, a tail dragger version for $125k.

Used YAK 52's from the 1980's that have been refurbished and overhauled (but with Russian instrumentation) and western NAVCOM and Xponder go for $60 - $70,000. The same YAK's used with a few hundred hours on them and in good shape are in the $50,000 range. The new YAK 52W (western instruments and equipment) and the new YAK 52TW (tail wheel) gor for $125,000 to $150,000.

Watch out though. These are aerobatic planes with mostly neutral stability (not hands off) and must be flown all the time. They consume 15 gph at cruise (130 - 140 mph) and 25 gph during aerobatics. It seems to be a fun and desirable airplane though and support for these in the USA is growing.

Steve

I find it hard to believe that maintenance costs for a complex, high performance aerobatic plane are anywhere near a Cessna 150's. Doesn't the Yak have an air/pneumatic system for brakes, retractable gear, controllable pitch prop, Russian radial engine, etc. Maybe an oil change would be comparable although the Yak probably takes more of that also, but I imagine everything else would be pretty expensive. Any AP/IA care to quote what an annual for a Yak would cost in their shop compared to a 150?

I believe that although the YAK 52 is a complex airplane, the parts are very inexpensive (relatively) which is why the maintenance cost may be low.

I was curious so read up a bit on a website dedicated to them. They indicate 1 QT per hour of oil is the norm, but fuel economy if fairly decent for the big round engine. The site I was on indicated only about 140 mph at 14-15 GPH, which is disappointing. I get that at 9.5 in my Cardinal. Of course, I don't get all the noise, smoke and passion of a YAK in the Cardinal either (including upside down cake whenever you want it).

Even if the parts are low cost, the fact that the airplane is complex and high performance is enough to drive the labor costs up through the roof. How many Yaks do you see on your ramp? Local mechanics, even if they agree to work on them, would have to get the tech data ($$$) and then you'll pay their increased labor cost as they do OJT on your airplane. The nice thing about a 150 (or any Cessna) is there's a gajillion of them out there and every GA mechanic out there has worked on them. I'd love to have the cash to own a Yak or CJ and the additional bucks to operate one but then I'd probably go with a 177 RG before I bought Russian/Chinese and I'd dare say the overall maintenance costs would be less. The cost of acquisition for one of these east block airplanes is probably the lowest cost of ownership and compared to something like a T-6 or T-34 (except for the wing problems), they probably are economical, but compared to a 150....get real.

OK, I guess I am spoiled. One of two USA dealers that sell new YAKs is in Rockford, Illinois: about 90 minutes away. He has several for sale and more are coming. There are also several companies that sell and support refurbished YAKs and there is an insurance company that specializes in insuring YAKs (check out www.YAK-52.com [yak-52.com]). Yaks are not numerous here yet, but there numbers are growing. Also, check out www.YakUK.com [yakuk.com]; they are numerous in the United Kingdom.

Steve

G'day,

Just speaking about yaks, you may want to have a look at another web site here in Australia, its call
redstaraviation.com.au.
The guy here also sells them and others all referbub'd, and has a number of interesting this on the site as well. Should anyone be interested you may even find its cheaper to buy from the Australian guy in Australian $$ (or as we say here - the South Pacific paso) however have it delivered there (the good old US of A). Can't guarantee anything but you never know, could be worth a look

Regards