Test pilots of the USSR

Test pilots are heroes of our time, the most daring representatives of their nation, possessing leadership qualities, intelligence, responsibility, integrity and good health. Each flight may be the last, and yet they should enjoy the flight, this is the main condition for admission to the ranks of these brave guys. They sit at the helm of their car, so that designers can refine or improve the aircraft.

Legendary test pilots

The former USSR is just full of heroes. Some remained unknown in the history of the country, but not test pilots. The names of these brave guys were immediately recognized by the political elite of the country. Almost all of them received the title of Hero of the USSR.

One of these people, whose name was included in the history of domestic aircraft construction, is Valery Chkalov. Valery Pavlovich began as a fitter at the Aviation Plant in Nizhny Novgorod. And already in 1931 I experienced new fighter planes I-15 and I-16.

For his tricks in the air, he even received a sentence and was sentenced to a year in prison, which later was replaced by a conditional one. After all, the "frenzy" of Valery was recognized as the new figures of aerobatics. In 1935, Chkalov was awarded the Order of Lenin. The crew of Chkalov was the first to fly from the capital to the Far East. And two years later he flew across the North Pole and landed in Vancouver. After such merits, Stalin offered Chkalov the post of People's Commissar of People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs, but Valery Pavlovich refused and continued to fly. Test pilots who died during the flight are doubly heroes. In December 1938 Valery Chkalov made his last flight. He died testing a new I-180 fighter.

Military pilots

Test pilots during the Second World War played an important role in military aviation. Despite the harsh conditions of war, the Soviet Union increased its military power. Design aviation enterprises produced new advanced machines that required testing. One of these heroes of the military sky was Sergei Nikolaevich Anokhin. In 1931 he graduated from the Higher Glider School. And already in 1933 set a record in his country. On one glider stayed in the sky for almost 16 hours. Before the war I experienced experimental gliders.

During the war he conducted tests of aircraft, gliders. The first to test a fighter-interceptor with a liquid rocket engine. In May 1945, during the tests of the Yak-3 fighter aircraft crashed, the pilot was seriously injured and lost his eye, but did not stop flying. He conducted test flights on such aircraft as Yak, MiG, Su. In 1959, in the top ten, he was awarded the title "Honored Test Pilot". The last flight was made at the age of 73 years.

Test Pilot Awards

Until 1958 test pilots were not awarded various orders for merits before the Motherland, many retired without having a single medal. Many received the title "Hero of the USSR" only in 1957. And in 1958 the decree of the Presidium of the Armed Forces established the honorary title "Honored Test Co-pilot of the USSR" and "Honored Test Pilot of the USSR". Only 1-class pilots could receive such a title and the corresponding order.

In total, 419 test pilots were awarded this title in the Soviet period.

The post-war period

The development of aircraft building in the USSR was a top priority in the post-war period. The Cold War between the USSR and the United States led to an arms race. Ahead was also the exploration of the cosmos.

Another outstanding test pilot is Yuri Petrovich Schaeffer. Since 1977, he was a leading test of the Tupolev plant. Was in the detachment VKS Buran. Participated in the tests of Su-25 and MiG-25 fighters.

Wolf Igor Petrovich - Hero of the USSR, Honored Test Pilot, test cosmonaut. Tested domestic aircraft of all types since 1965. Performed aerobatics figures, a special ability showed, performing "cobra" and "corkscrew".

Viktor Vasilievich Zabolotsky - Soviet test pilot, on flight test work since 1975. During his work he mastered more than 200 types of aircraft.

Modern period

After the collapse of the Union and the loss in the Cold War, Russia, as the successor to the USSR, did not turn off its air programs. And today, high-speed aircraft, fighters, the newest helicopters capable of conquering the sky are being constructed.

Bogdan Sergey Leonidovich - Hero of the Russian Federation and Honored Pilot of the Russian Federation. Conducted testing of Su and MiG fighters. Since 2000, a test pilot in OKB named after P. Sukhoi.

Magomed Tolboyev - since 1981 a test pilot, was awarded the title of Hero of Russia and Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation. The Su and MiG fighters were tested. For the first time he lifted several types of ultralight aircraft.

This list can be continued for a long time, because many people of our country are capable of a feat, but the profession of a test pilot for the chosen by fate. In the modern period, there are developments and tests of the latest supersonic aircraft, bombers, airliners, only thanks to these brave people many models will see the world.