ONE OF the latest, if less spectacular Russian aircraft is the Yakovlev YAK‐40 currently being produced in 10‐seat executive and 27‐seat passenger transport versions. The aircraft is of a low‐wing configuration with three rear‐mounted turbofan engines, and in terms of capacity falls mid‐way between the larger corporate types such as the Gulfstream 2 and the lower end of the public transport spectrum exemplified by the VFW‐614 which can carry up to 44 passengers. It is therefore all the more surprising that the span of the YAK‐40 is 82ft (25m), length 66.7ft (20.36m) and height 21.3ft (6.5m). The maximum take‐off and maximum landing weights are the same. The take‐off run is 1,810ft (550m) to 1,970ft (600m) and the landing roll is 1,620ft (500m).