The Yakovlevs Team Blog

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:11:00 GMT

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009 from all the team.

Shoreham Airshow attracts thousands

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:05:00 GMT

Shoreham Airshow proved to be eventful this year, from tough weather conditions, to tight slots, and, of course, another performance from the Yakovlevs.

The team strutted their stuff in the air on both Saturday and Sunday, and Willy Hackett, who flew as Yak 4, came over especially from Texas, USA, to perform with the team. After some last-minute tweaking with the engine, all four Yaks took to the skies that entertained thousands, accompanied by their very own commentator.

All proceeds from the airshow go to the Royal Air Forces Association. Last year’s show brought in more than £1 million pounds – the jury is still out over how much was raised this year. The team hopes to see everyone again next year!

The Yakovlevs come out to the races

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:08:00 GMT

The Yakovlevs are no stranger to putting on a great show for its audience, what ever Mother Nature throws their way!

The Clipper Race at Liverpool last Sunday proved to be one of their most challenging displays to date, with the team fighting to stay on top -- literally -- all the way. The team was on hand to welcome back the teams competing in a round-the-world race. And after 35,000 gruelling miles, the sight of the Albert Dock must have been very welcome.

The Yakovlevs want to congratulate everyone who competed for their making it back safely. For more information on what the team will be up to next, visit our diary page.

Lydd Airshow features the Yakovlevs

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:36:00 GMT

After much planning, organising and tons of paperwork, the Yakovlevs entertained a crowd of thousands for the Lydd Airshow weekend – even if it meant displaying with three Yaks instead of four on the first day!

The team was on their way to the airshow, when Yak 4 had to divert to Shoreham with what seemed to be engine trouble. The Yaks were reunited in time for the second day of displaying, however, when the engine was checked…and checked again.

Jez, Jon, Peter and Nick all gave a four-ship display that was graceful and precise, which was an achievement considering a crosswind that resembled continuous prop wash! Other displays that braved the elements included the Hunter ‘Miss Demeanour’ the Great War Team, the Falling Rocks parachute display, and the Guinot Wing Walkers.

The team wants to thank all the organisers for a great show, and hope to be back again next year. In the mean time, check out our diary page for more displays on the horizon for the Yakovlevs, such as Shoreham, the Clipper Race at Liverpool and Southport.

Team takes to the skies at Culdrose Airshow

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 07:50:00 GMT

The Culdrose Airshow, held August 1st, was a great opportunity for the team to show their stuff as a four-ship display. The boys took off for the event on July 31st, and came home late the next day after a full day of displaying.

The Yakovlevs have a busy display schedule this season, but the team was happy to receive this year’s invite down to Land’s End, at the Culdrose Navy base. After a lot of planning and prep for all four of the aircraft, the team was ready to take to the skies.

“Our four-ship display is great to do, despite all the hard work planning and preparing for the event,” said team leader Jez Hopkinson. “After flying a lot of two-ship displays, having all four of the Yaks up there is a great sight, even when you see them every day! We hope the crowds loved it too.”

Don’t miss the Yakovlevs display at upcoming events in locations such as Lydd, Silverstone, and Shoreham. Have a look on our Diary page to find more information.

Culdrose Airshow is coming up, and the Yakovlevs will be there!

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:22:00 GMT

The Yakovlevs will be visiting the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose for their annual airshow on August 1, bringing their famed four-ship display. The team will be displaying with a great line-up of both Military and Civilian acts, including Lynx helicopters, Black Hawks, a Chinook, and the Blue Eagles Display Team.

According to the airshow's website, Culdrose is home to 12 squadrons with almost 100 aircraft, including the new Merlin helicopters, Sea Kings and Hawk jets.

This event is set to be a great day out, and a wonderful opportunity to see the team's four-ship display. And stick around for a quick chat with the pilots as well! For more information, visit our Diary webpage. The team looks forward to seeing you there.

The Yakovlevs revisit a classic

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:09:00 GMT

The Yakovlevs revisited one of their old favourites yesterday – the Shuttleworth Collection summer evening Airshow. Jim and Jez opened the show and presented their two-ship display in the evening, after first delivering a display for a wedding near their home base, Compton Abbas Airfield.

Other highlights of the Shuttleworth Airshow included the de Havilland Chipmunk, the Edwardian Flying Machines, the Hawker Hind, Hawker Sea Hurricane and Westland Lysander just to name a few.

The Yakovlevs visit the Shuttleworth Collection every year, and this year's event was another highlight in the team's display season. Despite suffering from sore "Yak bums" thanks to the long transit trips, Jez and Jim say they had a fabulous time, and would like to thank the event organisers and the audience for the experience.

The display scene's best take to the skies

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:08:00 GMT

All the greats in the air display scene gathered at Rendcomb in Gloucestershire on the 4th of July, to show their stuff at a private fete.

The gathering included first-class dining, all set at a gorgeous location in the beautiful Cotswold countryside, but the real showstoppers included a unique line-up featuring the Red Arrows, Will Curtis in his Sukhoi Su-26, the Blue Eagles Army Air Corps Helicopter Display Team and, of course, the Yakovlevs.

The weather gods caused havoc yet again, and some displays had to be adapted due to the low cloud and rain. The Yakovlevs managed to perform a full two-ship display, however, before the weather closed in on them.

“It was a struggle all the way to perform our display,” Jez said. “From the moment we left Compton, the weather was against us. With the wind being so strong it made positioning and flying the formation extremely difficult. But it was a great honour to be invited to perform with the other internationally-renowned teams.”

Jim accompanied Jez, flying as Yak 2, and the dynamic duo stayed after the display to tuck into a well-earned meal, before getting back to Compton with rain still streaming across their canopies – and Will’s Su-26 tucked safely under Jez’s left wing. Despite the weather, this was a fantasic event. Many thanks to Vic Norman and everyone at Aerosuperbatics for the invite!

Yakovlevs make it to Hucknall

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:29:00 GMT

The Rolls-Royce event held at Hucknall saw many different displays with all sorts of aircraft, from a humble Cessna 150 Aerobat, to the nostalgic glory of the Spitfire.

Naturally with such a line-up, the Yaks couldn't be left out. The team, however, nearly didn't make it to the event, held on June 23 near Nottingham, due to some persistent rain clouds.

Jez and Jon sat at Compton Abbas Airfield, all strapped in and ready to go, for well over half an hour while rain clattered against their canopies, before they could finally get airborne. Once in the sky, the team dodged storm clouds before finally landing safe and sound at historic Hucknall.

Despite the bad weather earlier in the day, plenty of aviation lovers made sure to drop by for a visit. After a two-ship display that entertained the crowd, the team made it back to base in one piece.

The team would like to thank the event organisers at Hucknall for the lovely reception, with warm food and tea on arrival, and looks forward to visiting this lovely airfield again next year!

Yakovlevs attend very special celebrations

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 06:13:00 GMT

The team has had a busy weekend as they fought their way up North of Manchester through heavy showers, thunder, lighting and poor visibility, to display at a very special event yesterday Saturday 16th June 2007.

After a great display, with much help from the Manchester International Airport and the Air Traffic Services, the team returned closer to home to perform at another wedding.

Althoug the weather had been bad throughout the entire day, the team was able to carry out their full display, to give the spectators and guests a day to remember. Let's hope the sun comes out a bit more for the rest of the season!