your are right, there was no “private” pilot licence while in communist times, as there was no private flying. But from mid seventies up to now these Yaks are the number one school machines, less today as they get Cessnas etc. . Regarding attitude indicators: You may be right with the difference, but we never spared a thought about this, didn´t notice so no problem really. It was puzzling that real old AI had the blue on the bottom and brown on top of the indicator ! Some have put in western instruments, mostly for weight saving and rearrangement for VORs and GPS etc. , but really the better quality you get from Russia: There are many pilots who will not use grass strips afraid of their IFR equipment. Not the least problem with eastern gear – including the fully retractable gear – made for carrier landings ! The 18 T is immensly strong with 1250 kg empty, but definitely only for deeply involved owners because of the complexity and radial engine procedures.
Vic
Actually the Aero Subaru Fuji is still a very good aerobatic tourer – if you can find a good one, or are prepared to spend some money.
Its +6, -4 and does all the basic stuff pretty well. Inevitably the injected variant (with 180 Lycoming and VP prop) is better for lots of reasons, not least far less likely to quit on you in negative G.
As a tourer its the usual 4 seats, but 3 up really, good range and pleasant enought to fly. Side by side and with a yoke is unusual for aerobats but works just fine.
The SF260 is the best aerobatic aircraft I have ever flown other than an Extra – which is hardly a tourer (for most people anyway!).
And then there are the real oddball aircraft like the IAR-823
In fact, there is one for sale in France for 82k€, 327 hours SMOH on airframe and engine. Look it up at the site of French Aeronautical Federation
What about a Firefly? T67M
