The Yakovlev Yak-40, originally a three-engine airliner brought into service as a regional jet transport aircraft by Aeroflot, is still going strong and providing good service, according to feedback from EBAN readers. Many Yak-40s have now been converted into private corporate aircraft. Most of the Yak-40s in active service fly in the former Soviet Union and tend to fly rarely in Europe because of noise restrictions.

One Yak-40 VIP is operated for the 'Vega' Air Company whose owner says he is satisfied or very satisfied with the maintenance support, dispatch reliability and operating capability. But he points out that, although the maintenance is less than for European-built aircraft, there is a greater expense on fuel. His wish-list would include an engine upgrade. His verdict: "A very good and hardy aircraft for internal and international trips now that it

has been modernised." Another respondent, Mirian Sarishvili of VIP Aviation, is very satisfied with everything including the Yak-40's value-for-money.