We look forward to welcoming the New Zealand Yak Formation Aerobatic Team back to Marlborough Lines Classic Fighters in 2025. The team led , by Doug Batten, currently comprises nine Yak-52s, and the displays are nothing less than high-performance poetry. Their signature move, a nine-ship formation loop, is a real crowd-pleaser!
The team was initially formed in the early 1980's with two Yak-52s doing displays at small air events. This grew to four as more Yak-52s came into the country, and is now at nine, including Fay Emeny, Mark Helliwell, Kevin Jane, Bryan Coppersmith, Paul Hughan, Peter Vause and Mike Harvey. Less than half are ex-military pilots with formation flying experience, proving that a civilian pilot can get to the same level with the right training.
The Russian-designed Yakovlev 52 has a maximum speed of 261mph and a climb rate of 1400ft per minute and is one of the world's most responsive and agile aircraft. We can't wait to see the NZ Yak Formation Aerobatic Team put them through their paces!
Image: Yak-52s - Photo by Geoff Soper
About Marlborough Lines Classic Fighters Omaka: The airshow is the main fundraising event for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, located in Blenheim, Marlborough NZ.
