What a Yakovlev YAK-50 costs, how far it flies, and what it costs to keep
PlaneFox tracks 4 Yakovlev YAK-50 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
How far can a Yakovlev YAK-50 fly?
A Yakovlev YAK-50 flies about 297 nm, roughly 550 km, which is about 2 h 2 min in still air at typical cruise.
What does a Yakovlev YAK-50 cost to own?
A Yakovlev YAK-50 costs about EUR 2,672 a month to run, or about EUR 293 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
More questions about the Yakovlev YAK-50
How much does a Yakovlev YAK-50 cost?
What is the price range for a used Yakovlev YAK-50?
How many Yakovlev YAK-50 aircraft are for sale right now?
Where can I find a Yakovlev YAK-50 for sale?
What should I check when buying a used Yakovlev YAK-50?
About the Yakovlev YAK-50
Aircraft overview
The Yakovlev YAK-50 is a Soviet single seat aerobatic aircraft developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau for advanced aerobatic training and competition flying. It first flew in 1975, with production beginning in the late 1970s and continuing into the 1980s. The type was built for the Soviet national aerobatic program and for DOSAAF, the state supported flying organization, where it served as a serious step up from basic trainers. Unlike the two seat Yakovlev YAK-52, the Yakovlev YAK-50 is purpose built around one pilot, light structure, quick control response, and high positive and negative g capability.
Performance & specifications
Power comes from the Vedeneyev M14P, a 360 hp, nine cylinder radial engine driving a constant speed propeller. Typical cruise figures are around 145 to 155 knots, depending on propeller, rigging, engine condition, and power setting. Published range is commonly cited at about 250 to 300 nautical miles, reflecting its aerobatic role rather than cross country utility. Service ceiling is around 13,000 feet. Useful load is limited and varies by aircraft and local certification, generally covering one pilot, oil, and fuel for the intended mission rather than meaningful baggage. The retractable landing gear and relatively clean airframe give the Yakovlev YAK-50 better transit performance than many basic aerobatic trainers, while the airframe is stressed for competition style maneuvering.
Cabin & avionics
The cockpit is a compact single seat layout with a military style canopy, center stick, and excellent visibility for attitude reference. Cabin comfort is secondary to control feel, access to switches, and aerobatic sight lines. Original aircraft used Soviet flight and engine instruments, metric placarding, pneumatic systems, and simple VFR radio equipment. Modern examples often have Western radios, transponders, intercoms, portable or panel GPS units, engine monitors, and sometimes smoke systems. Integrated suites such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not typical for this aircraft.
Buying & value
Prospective buyers should focus on airframe history, total aerobatic time, logbook continuity, wing and spar inspections, corrosion control, landing gear condition, and the health of the pneumatic system. Engine assessment should include compressions, oil history, accessory condition, propeller status, and availability of M14P support. There are no broad mainstream variants of the Yakovlev YAK-50 in the way buyers might see with certified touring aircraft, but individual airplanes vary widely through propeller changes, Western avionics, paint, canopy work, fuel system updates, and competition modifications. In the used market it occupies a specialist position: less practical than a Yakovlev YAK-52, but lighter, sharper, and more focused for solo aerobatic flying.