The history of the Lipetsk Air Center began during the First World War. Back in 1916, the first workshops on the collection of French aircraft type "Luran" appeared. In October 1918, according to the order of the mainstream, the squadron of heavy bombers "Ilya Muromets" began to form in Lipetsk. The squadron was based on the airfield that was at that time on the former outskirts of the city near the railway station). Bombarders "Ilya Muromets" and accompanying their light airplanes "Swan" actively participated in hostilities in the period civil War.

In March 1923, the formation of the Lipetsk Aviation School, which was intended to train future Soviet pilots, but in 1924 the school closed, and did not have time to organize.

The object "Lipetsk" - German aviation school

Fokker D.XIII fighters in Lipetsk.

Research activities in the field of aircraft construction and research of military aircraft equipment in Germany, in the framework of imposed restrictions on the Versailles Agreement, was discontinued. Nevertheless, individual studies could be carried out abroad, in particular, in the USSR.

The opening of the German aviation school in the USSR was planned since 1924. A document on the creation of a school on April 15, 1925 in Moscow was signed by the head of the RKKA Air Force P. I. Baranov and a representative of the "prondergroup p" by Colonel X. Backdow der Lit-Tomsen. The creation of the school was led by the "Aviation Inspection No. 1" of the German Defense Directorate. The use of the aerodrome and the structures of the school was free, all expenses in full equipment carried the German side. About 2 million brands were allocated for the content of the school.

Germans in very short term Reconstructed manufacturing facilities, erected two small hangars, repair shop, and already on July 15, 1925, a joint-up-tactical school was opened. Initially, the material base served 50 fighters "Focker D-XIII" purchased by Vogra to the funds of the Ruhr Foundation in the Netherlands in 1923-1925. On June 28, 1925, airplanes arrived from Shattin to Leningrad on a steamat "Edmund Gogo Stinnes". Transport aircraft and bombers were also purchased. Training of flights took place within 5-6 months. He led the Major School V. Star, also envisaged the position of the Soviet Deputy, the representative of the Red Army.

In the summer, in the last period, terrestrial personnel had over 200 people, in the winter, the figure decreased. In 1932, the total number of personnel of the Center reached 303 people: 43 German and 26 Soviet cadets, 234 people workers, employees and technical specialists. Reich master management strictly controlled all the details of joint structures on the territory of the USSR, special attention was paid to secrecy. German pilots wore Soviet uniforms without signs of difference.

At school, research was conducted, for which the material part of the German General Staff was secretly purchased abroad. The practical training course of pilots included the work of air combat management, bombing from various provisions, the study of weapons and equipment for aircraft - machine guns, guns, optical devices, etc.

Over all the hours of school, it passed the battle preparation of only about 700 pilots, they are about 120 German pilots and 100 people of technical personnel.

In the early 1930s, even before coming to power in Germany, Hitler, German participation in the project began to significantly decrease. Already at the negotiations in November 1931, the German side was devoted to the discussion of the possibility of transformation of the aircolum in Lipetsk to a major Joint Research Center. This happened because of the convergence of the USSR with other Western European countries, in particular with France. Rapalle Agreement, signed between the RSFSR and the Weimar Republic in 1922, began to lose its relevance. On September 15, 1933, the Lipetsk project was closed, the construction erected by German specialists, and a significant part of the equipment were transferred to the Soviet side.

Higher Big Tactical School of Air Force

Since January 1934, the highest flight and tactical school of the Air Force began to operate on the basis of an eliminated object.

After the Great Patriotic War there was a re-equipment of jet planes, a new training craft carrier was added, which was preparing command personnel for units of long-range aviation. At the same period, two airfield were built: the first - with concrete coating, in the area of \u200b\u200bVenus, the second - with a ground coating, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe village of Kuzminskychways.

4th center of combat use and re-operation of the Air Force

The coat of arms of the Lipetsk Aviacenter

The 4th center of combat use of the Air Force was formed in Tambov on April 19, 1953. In 1954, he was translated into Voronezh, and in 1960 - to Lipetsk, after which it was transformed into the 4th center of combat use and the reappearance of the Air Force.

In the center of the center in soviet period More than 45,000 officers of various specialties have been trained. In the Lipetsk Air Center for new types of aircraft, 11 Soviet cosmonaut pilots were also reapted. As the symbol of the glorious aviation history of Lipetsk, in August 1969, a monument was installed on the aircraft square - the fixed MiG-19 fighter.

After the collapse of the USSR, the military-industrial complex degraded, the army budget was significantly reduced and, as a result, difficult times have come for the Lipetsky Air Center. Only since 2003, change began for the better: the fuel limits increased, the material base began to strengthen.

In July 2003, the two-hour Airshow took place to the 300th anniversary of Lipetsk. The delegation of the French military pilots, which was headed by General Jean Romuald Robert, flew to this event. The delegation arrived on two Military transport aircraft C-130, three fighters "Mirage" and attack aircraft F-200.

On April 22, 2004, the Air Center visited Russian President V. Putin and the Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, who came to Lipetsk to open the Italian enterprise Ariston. Aviation technique has been demonstrated in action, showing the top pilot figures, including the most difficult, with the personal participation of the head of the center of Alexander Harchevsky.

Lipetsk Center for Combat Application and Returning Makeup, Sokoli Russia aerobatic group at MAKS-2009.

On August 3, 2007, from the Test Airoder of the Novosibirsk Aviation Industrial Association, the newest Russian fighter-bombard Su-34 flew out. Under the control of pilots of Glice Sergey Shcherbina and Alexandra Ashchenkova, the plane arrived in the Lipetsk Aviacenter, where he was solemnly accepted and took over to the service in the Air Force.

Front-line bombers Su-24 and SU-34 Lipetsk CBS and PLS took part in a parade on Red Square on May 9, 2008 in honor of the 63rd anniversary of the Great Victory over the fascist Germany. SU-34 managed personally the head of the aircraft center General-Major A. N. Kharchevsky.

In 2011, the military prosecutor's office of the Western Military District opened a criminal case on the fact of extortion of money at the pilots of the Lipetsk Air Center. According to Interfax, the basis for this was the information set forth in the Internet address of Senior Lieutenant Igor Sulima, which found its confirmation during the inspection. The defendants of the business initiated under the 286th article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation were the commander of the military unit, Colonel Eduard Kovalsky and his deputy for educational work, Colonel Sergey Sidorenko.

: BLL

Information A type military Country Russia Location 8 km west of Lipetsk Height Num +184 M. Timezone UTC + 3 / + 4 Bullet-land strips

room	Dimensions (m)	Coating
15/33	3000x60	concrete

Head of the Lipetsk Aviation Center since September 2016 -German-lieutenant Yuri Aleksandrovich Sushkov.

4 CBS and PLS Air Force is located at Lipetsk-2 airfield 8 kilometers from the center of Lipetsk, not far from the city's Venus and Mine. On storage is located a large number of Disposable aircraft intended for recycling: SU-24, SU-27, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29, MiG-31

In addition to the active concrete runway (runway) 15/33, there is an old concrete runway 10/28 with dimensions of 2,500 × 40 meters, it is used as parking sites and a steering path.

History

The history of the Lipetsk Air Center began during the First World War. Back in 1916, the first workshops on the collection of French aircraft type "Luran" appeared. In October 1918, according to the order of the mainstream, the squadron of heavy bombers "Ilya Muromets" began to form in Lipetsk. The squadron was based on the airfield, which was at that time on the former outskirts of the city near the train station (see: Tereshkova Street (Lipetsk)). Bombarders "Ilya Muromets" and accompanying their light airplanes "Swan" actively participated in hostilities during the civil war.

Germans in a very short time reconstructed production premises, erected two small hangars, repair shop, and already on July 15, 1925, a joint-up-tactical school was opened. Initially, the material base served 50 fighters "Focker D-XIII" purchased by Vogra to the funds of the Ruhr Foundation in the Netherlands in 1923-1925. On June 28, 1925, airplanes arrived from Shattin to Leningrad on a steamat "Edmund Gogo Stinnes". Transport aircraft and bombers were also purchased. Training of flights took place within 5-6 months. He led the Major School V. Star, also envisaged the position of the Soviet Deputy, the representative of the Red Army.

In the summer, in a recent period, terrestrial staff had over 200 people (with the German side - about 140 people), in the winter, the figure decreased (about 40 people with the German side). In 1932, the total number of personnel of the Center reached 303 people: 43 German and 26 Soviet cadets, 234 people workers, employees and technical specialists. Reich master management strictly controlled all the details of joint structures on the territory of the USSR, special attention was paid to secrecy. German pilots wore Soviet uniforms without signs of difference.

At school, research was conducted, for which the material part of the German General Staff was secretly purchased abroad. The practical training course of pilots was the work of air combat management, bombing from various provisions, the study of weapons and equipment for aircraft - machine guns, guns, optical devices (bombing sights and mirror sights for fighters), etc.

In just eight years of the existence of an air school in Lipetsk, 120 fighter pilot (30 of them were participants in the First World War, 20 - former civil aviation pilots) for Germany. The exact number of Soviet aviation specialists who have been trained under the guidance of German instructors could not be established.

In the early 1930s, even before coming to power in Germany, Hitler, German participation in the project began to significantly decrease. Already at the negotiations in November 1931, the German side was devoted to the discussion of the possibility of transformation of the aircolum in Lipetsk to a major Joint Research Center. This happened because of the convergence of the USSR with other Western European countries, in particular with France. Rapalle Agreement, signed between the RSFSR and the Weimar Republic in 1922, began to lose its relevance. On September 15, 1933, the Lipetsk project was closed, the construction erected by German specialists, and a significant part of the equipment were transferred to the Soviet side.

Higher Big Tactical School of Air Force

4th center of combat use of the Air Force Was formed in Tambov on April 19, 1953. In 1954, he was translated into Voronezh, and in 1960 - in Lipetsk, after which it was transformed into 4th center of combat use and re-operation of the Air Force.

More than 45,000 officers of various specialties were trained in the center of the Center in the Soviet period. In the Lipetsk Air Center for new types of aircraft, 11 Soviet cosmonaut pilots were also reapted. As the symbol of the glorious aviation history of Lipetsk, in August 1969, a monument was installed on the aircraft square - the fixed MiG-19 fighter.

In 2013, the latch of the aircraft center began the development of super-superanny multifunctional SU-30SM fighters; In 2014, the development of the Su-35s fighter began.

In 2014, the airfield of the aircraft center was used as a base airfield for the time of the competition of flight crews of the Air Force and Aviation Avfolds.

In August 2015, the head of the Air Center General Major Alexander Harchevsky resigned; His place was taken by the hero of the Russian Federation, Major General S. I. Kobalash.

Structure

• 968th Research and Instructor Mixed Aviamolk (968 IISAP) - Lipetsk - MiG-29, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, Su-30, Su-34, Yak-130
• 4020 Base of reserve aircraft (4020 BRS) - Lipetsk

In 2007, the center of Su-34 and upgraded front-line bombers of Su-24M2 were received to the center. In 2010, the composition of the Lipetsky Air Center entered

Lipetsk, June 20. /website/ There is in Lipetsk on the aircraft square, a sorrowful and bright monument to pilot heroes who saved the city at the price of their lives.

The story of the feat is always simple. Served in the Lipetsk Air Center Military Pilot Major Sherstobitis Sergey Maksimovich and Military Navigator Lieutenant Colonel of Krivenkov Leonte Alexandrovich. For Leonthia, the flight on December 17, 1968 was to become the last in the Lipetsk Sky before the transition to a higher position in Akhtuba. He became the last, but in life. Unforeseen happened: when performing a conventional ordinary flight task on a multi-purpose jet aircraft Yak-28 refused technical support. During a set of height in the left engine of the bombarder, there was a fire. Thanks to the competent acts of pilots, the fire was sweating, and the engine is turned off. In order to save the battle car, they decided to sit with one engine. But during the preparation for landing, when the plane was over the residential areas of Lipetsk, refused the second engine. To save your lives, the pilots were enough to be catapled. This was received by the team from the flight control point. But the military pilots perfectly understood that then the car would collapse on the city, and hundreds of people would die. By all means, pilots decided to lead their plane from densely populated areas. In addition, it turned out that the chassis was not produced, so it was decided to plant a plane on the fuselage on a large wasteland near the garrison. But another breakdown of technology was happening - and the fighting car began to lose height rapidly. There was not enough of some 50 meters before the emergency landing, the plane at an angle of 15 degrees crashed into the ground. Shards scattered 200 - 300 meters around the disaster site. Just a few hundred meters remained to the building of kindergarte and to residential buildings.

After deciphering black boxes, the last words of Krvenkov became known: "Maximych, this is the end." They were 43 years old.

The famous song "The Huge Sky", which Odita Pieha performs, tells about two other Russian pilots, in a similar situation they saved a small German town. But, in fact, this song about all the air-hairs, sacrificed in the name of the life of other people.

For a perfect feat, for the salvation of lives of hundreds of people, woolobits and crymenters by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR were posthumously awarded the orders of the Red Star. "And, by sacrificing, the guys in death gained the second life." In their honor, a monument is established on the aircraft square, two streets in 27 and 28 Lipetsk microdistrict are named after their names.

The memorial complex is the MiG-19 combat fighter, which lasted in heaven and two pilots at his foot. They seem to go to their most difficult flight. The words laid out with gold letters on the stone: "You are left in the sky," will always remind the descendants about the heroes that hundreds of human lives saved.

Today, the monument is rustling with leaves in the wind of Birza, Lilac blooms in the spring, the flowers are brought to the monument to the monument. Life goes on.

The first step towards the appearance of the secret German aviation school in the USSR was made in Lenin, in 1920, when the German leadership appealed to the Government of Soviet Russia with a proposal to create German educational military courses on its territory. At the meeting of the Politburo, where this proposal was considered, it was generally approved, but in order to conspire the preparation of German military specialists decided to organize not in Moscow, but in small provincial cities of Russia. The incentive for the adoption of the German proposal was the desire of the Bolsheviks to adopt a German military experience and get acquainted with modern military equipment, Including with aviation. In addition, the Soviet leadership hoped for the restoration of the Reichsver in attracting German industrialists to restoring Russia's military potential and sought to support good relationships with him.

Shortly after the signing of the Rapalle Treaty, August 11, 1922, a secret agreement on cooperation was concluded between the Reichsver and the Red Army. Germany was allowed to organize objects in Russia for testing forbidden by the Versailles Treaty of military equipment and training military personnel, German leadership promised, in turn, to promote the export of German technical experience for the development of the defense industry of Russia. In addition, the Soviet side received the right to participate in the trials of German military equipment, including the latest samples of aircraft, tanks, chemical weapons.

To cooperate with the leadership of the Red Army at the end of 1923, under the German "special group R", its separation in Moscow was organized - a special group "Moscow" (SonderGruppe Moskau) or, as they also called, "Moscow Center" (Zentrale Moskau). Hermann von der Lit-Tomsen led them, in the past, headquarters of the German Air Force. His deputy was a ritter von Niedermeier, a former military intelligence officer in the countries of the Middle East. Aviation's issues were engaged in Lit-Tomsen Adjutant Captain Ratt.

In Germany, he was trained by pilots. Training occurred in sports aircraft schools and the center for the preparation of civil aviation pilots (Deutsche Verkehrsflieger-Schule). However, due to the ban on military aviation in Germany, it took place on light training aircraft or on passenger "Junkers". It did not give the opportunity to fully prepare future military pilots and observer pilots. For this reason, the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a secret aviation school abroad arose, where German pilots could improve their experience on the newest combat aircraft.

Supervised the creation of school the so-called "Aviation Inspection" or "Inspection No. 1", which is responsible for the preparation of military pilots for the Reichsver. The first practical steps were made in 1923, when the German Military Ministry through the mediator, the large German industrialist G. Finnes, bought 50 single fighters focker D XIII from the company "Fokker" for the future aircolum; In 1923-1925 There were also acquired several aircraft Focker D VII and Focker D XI. Officially, the order was supposedly carried out for Argentina Air Force.

In 1924, the first group of German military aviation specialists were left in the USSR - M. Fibig (during the Second World War I became General Luftwaffe), K. Lite, Johannenson, R. Hazenor and I. Schroeder. Later, a few more people joined them. For some time they worked under the contract by consultants in the Office of the Air Force of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Air Force Academy in Moscow, then part of the group entered the state of the German Aviation School in the USSR.

As a place to organize the Center for Training of German military pilots, the Soviet government allocated the airfield on the north-western Ocena Lipetsk, on which the BCO Air Force division was based.

The head of the Lipetsk Aviashlikov Germans were appointed Major Walter Star, during the First World War I commanded the detachment of fighters on the German-French front. Despite non-useful reviews of the local UGPU about the political face of this person ("... Adherent Hindenburg, the Nazi is very steeply chopped, demanding and merciless. To the Soviet power, it is exclusively hostile, can not digest Russian")Star was located as a school leader for five years. Such uncharacteristic for the Bolsheviks tolerance to dissent can only be explained only by acute interest at the time in military cooperation with Reichsver.

The creation of the school began with the construction of warehouses, hangars, residential buildings for German personnel and a number of other premises. The construction office was engaged in these works, which was led by the former German pilot-Ace E. Borian. Two barracks, a residential building, several industrial premises, telephone exchange were built. Reichsver allocated a lot of money on the arrangement - translated into Soviet currency more than two million rubles.

In June 1925, a steamer "Hugo Stinnes-IV" went from the German port of Stettin to Leningrad with 50 Focker D XIII fighters packaged for Lipetsk Aviashlik. At the same time, the first instructors pilots were headed from Germany in the USSR (most of these were experienced combat pilots, personal familiar Major Store) and cadet pilots.

It goes without saying, everything was conspiratically. Any violation of secrecy strictly stopped. Airplanes and other equipment were transported as commercial cargo through a specially created Joint Stock Company Metakhim, and German pilots were sent to the USSR under the guise of private firms or tourists, in civilian clothes, with passports for a fictional name. In Lipetsk, they walked in civilian clothes or wore Soviet uniforms without differences. The German aviation unit in the Soviet documents appeared under the name "4th Aviation Detachment of the 38th (Later-40th) Aviation Squadron of the Farm of the RKKA", and the German staff was encrypted by the word "friends". In the German documents, the organization in Lipetsk was designated as a "scientific and test airstation" or simply "station".

Initially, the German aviation school consisted of a headquarters headed by the Star, and the Fighter pilot preparation department under the leadership of K. Schenebek, also the famous pilot of the First World War. The educational fighter squadron has been equipped with Focker D XIII aircraft - painful biplans with English water cooling engine Nepier Lyon (Napier Lion) with a capacity of 450 hp, armament - 2 machine guns, speed - 240 km / h. This aircraft built in Holland in the first half of the 20s was considered one of the best fighters. In addition, the school had several light training aircraft of the company Albatross.

The training of pilots began on July 15, 1925. The fighter pilot training was designed for four weeks of intensive flights, the number of one study group was 6-7 people. Instructor pilots were chosen from among the most experienced German pilots of the time of the First World War. As trained, the pilots held by retraining were first, then recruits began to receive. After graduation, they were assigned the corresponding military rank, without indicating affiliation to aviation.

The activity of the Lipetsk school from the very beginning was not limited to the training of pilots for the future German Air Force. As already noted, the Soviet leadership was interested, first of all, not in obtaining money incomes from existence on the territory of its country of the German Aviation Center, and in the use of German flight experience and acquaintance with the German aircraft to strengthen their own Air Force. Already in 1925, conteneral flights of German and soviet fighterswhich showed superiority to Focker D XIII in front of fighter focker D XI with engines in 300 hp, purchased in Holland for the RKKA Air Force in 1924. Soviet pilots were also allowed to test the D XIII themselves in flight.

In the spring of 1926, at the meeting of the leaders of the Soviet and German Air Force, the results of the first year of the work of the aircraft were summed up. The pilot Lieutenant Vilberg, who was present at the meeting, Senior Lieutenant Vilberg declared plans to expand the activities of the school of fighters and creating an educational unit of intelligence aircraft to train observer pilots and aerial photography experiments. All these proposals were supported by the Soviet side. "On our part you can count on the most complete assistance and support. ... everything is based on ideological collaboration ", I stated at the meeting, one of the leaders of the RKKA Air Force Military Commissioner Ramukvich.

For the preparation of observer pilots in the summer of 1926, eight German double intelligence officers Hakel HD 17 was brought to the Lyon Nepir engine, 450 hp These aircraft were designed and built by Heinkel on the task of the flight specifically for the Lipetsk Aviashlik. E. Hakel writes in memoirs:

"When I returned from Sweden in Varnemünde, I was informed that one visitor wants me. At the meeting, he did not introduce himself. Later I found out that his surname Student. Despite the fact that he was dressed in the village, from the first words I guessed him - in front of me a military man. He set the condition so that our conversation remains in secret.

After our first conversation, which took place with him, did not become clear who he really represents. Only after the expiration, I realized who he was, and the true reason for his visits.

With the permission of the then government, the Reichsver assists in the reorganization of the army of Soviet Russia. This country needed those achievements that Germany had technical terms. Aviation Department in ReikSver was headed Wilberg. He traveled to Russia to explore the possibility of training there by pilots on aircraft, secretly built in Germany.

For me, then it remained incomprehensible, why the visitor asked about the possibility of creating a land aircraft at a speed of 220 km / h and a ceiling of 6000 meters, which could be used as a near intelligence officer. I asked what financial opportunities he possesses. He grinned and stated that she was ready to buy such an aircraft immediately as soon as it was built. After some reflection, I agreed.

So, since 1923, I became a member of the work on the armament of the German army, which, to the amazement of judges in the Nuremberg process, was subsidized by the government. My first first intended for Reichs The HD-17 aircraft had to build secretly, playing cats-mouse with the Commission on the Supervision of the Construction of Air Plan. This game was extremely dangerous for me. I could lose everything or get under unseening control and constant supervision. In many ways, probably, fate helped me. "

In Lipetsk, several training machines were also delivered to Hayunkel, Junkers and Albatross and Double Multipurpose Military Airplanes Albatross L 76 and L 78, illegally built on the task of Reichsver. At the same time, two light-motor biplanes Albatross L 69 sent back to Germany as outdated.

In the fall of 1926, the German aviation school has 52 aircraft: 34 fighter focker D XIII and 1 Focker D VII, 8 Cells Hakel HD 17, several albatross training aircraft, also had one copy of the training and training Hakel HD 21, Junkers A 20 And one transport Junkers F 13 for servicing the staff group.

Over the years, the airframe of school has increased. By the end of 1929, there were 43 aircraft Focker D XIII, 2 Focker D VII, 6 Hakel HD 17,6 Albatross L 76, 6 Albatross L 78, 1 Hanel HD 21, 1 Junkers A 20, 1 Junkers F 13.13 next year Aviatechnika was replenished with new samples -Okomotor Hakel HD 40 and Junkers to 47, multi-component Dornery "Mercury" and Rorbach "Rolland". All of them were in Lipetsk in a single copy.

It should, however, say that due to the relatively small number of training groups, not all aircraft were involved. According to a senior pilot of S.G. Korol, responsible for contact with the German aircraft carriage, in mid-1927 only 11 fockers D XIII were used to study, the rest of the cars were kept in the hangars in a disassembled video. These aircraft, apparently had to To serve as a reserve of the German Air Force in case of hostilities.

When evaluating the German fleet in Lipetsk, it is also necessary to take into account very large losses of aircraft as a result of accidents when training pilots. Most often they took place when landing. According to German documents, by the end of 1929, due to accidents, every seventh focker D XIII.16 was disabled. Many of them were injured by the fault of Russian cadet pilots. In messages for the AHSW of the Red Army, it is mentioned about six such cases in 1926-1927. Four aircraft (including three doubles) were lost in 1930. But the special intensity of accidents was observed in the summer of 1933: in just 18 days during training flights there were six accidents.

As already mentioned, the majority of accidents occurred when landing, at low speed, so it was without sacrifices. But sometimes there were still losses. In 1930, two German aircraft were collided at an altitude of 3000 m: Single Fighter and Double Scout. The pilots managed to escape on the parachutes, but the arrows-observer Amperinger could not leave the plane and died. Another collision of aircraft in the air occurred in the summer of 1933, shortly before the closure of the school. Two fighters D XIII, piloted by German pilots, collided with each other at an altitude of 700 m. The pilot of one of the aircraft immediately jumped up with a parachute and landed safely, and the second pilot, by the name of Paul, kneaded and left the plane, when only a few remained tens of meters. Parachute did not have time to reveal ... Dibens not only cadets. When testing an exploy aircraft Albatross L 76 in the area of \u200b\u200bSmolensk, an experienced German pilot Emil Tuy crashed.

The bodies of the dead were sent to Germany. To comply with the conspiracy, the coffin with the body was packaged in the box with the inscription "Machine details". If the disaster became known to the press, the case was represented as a flight incident on the sports plane.

The number of pilots and attendants in the school has steadily grew. In 1925, the constant composition of the training center consisted of only seven Germans and about 20 Russians, and in a few years he grew up to about 200 people. In 1932, the number of aviation school reached a maximum - 303 people, including Germans - 43, Soviet military pilots - 26, Soviet workers, technicians and employees - 234.

In winter, when the airfield was covered with snow, the numerical composition was sharply reduced. However, some German specialists remained in Lipetsk and in the cold season. This is evidenced by the delivery of delivery to Lipetsk from Germany at the end of 1927. 30 pairs of fur boots, 25 fur collars, 50 masks to protect the face from cold and other warm clothes. 19 Winter aircraft were installed on skis, as was customary in Soviet Air Force. For traveling on the snow-covered expanses, the Germans used Aerosani.

As the school expansion, the learning program has become more complicated. In addition to training flights, pilots practiced in shooting from machine guns on targets, towed by the plane, training battles of fighters were held, "blind" flights. At the landfill, allocated to the Germans on the north-western outskirts of the city, the bombing technique was worked out (including with dive) on wooden layouts, new types of sights were tested. Obviously, in Germany, controlled by Western allies, such exercises would be absolutely impossible. Aerial reconnaissance training and aerial photography were performed. The development of high-altitude flights was also planned, however, due to the insufficient reserve of liquid oxygen, the experiments were limited to the performance of exercises at 5-6 thousand meters, where it was still possible to do without an oxygen mask.

For the fixation of the results of training attacks, the Germans first applied photopulizations. Films showed a photo laboratory specially organized in Lipetsk.

In 1931, German pilots took part in joint maneuvers with Soviet aviation. During these teachings, fighters against day bombers were worked out. In addition, in the military test site under Voronezh, German pilots together with the Soviet artilleryrs trained in the adjustment of arthogne from the air.

Another direction of collaboration of the Lipetsk Aviation Center and the Red Army was to study the possibilities of using aircraft for spraying poisoning substances. As is known, Germany practiced the use of poisoning substances during the First World War and it is not by chance that one of the secret centers of the Reichsver in the USSR was the organization Tomka in the region of Volsk, intended for experiments on the creation and use of poisoning substances. In the USSR, the use of aviation for chemical exposure, including military, attached great importance. An example of this is the merger in 1925 of two public organizations - "Society of Friends of the Air Fleet" and "Dobrochim" in one - "Aviamim".

For the experiments of the Chemical War from the air in Lipetsk workshops, the aircraft were equipped with so-called bodyed aviation devices (VAP) - devices for spraying poisoning substances in flight. For these purposes, the devices of large loading capacity of the albatross type L 78 were used.

Experiments began in 1926. I.S. Unshlicht reported Stalin "... The whole first part of the program is made. About 40 flights accompanied by fluid pouring from various heights. For experiments, a liquid has a liquid physical propertiessimilar to Iprit. Experiments proved the complete possibility of broad use of poisoning substances. According to our specialists, on the basis of these experiments, it can be considered established that the use of Iprit Aviation against living goals, to infect the terrain and settlements, is technically quite possible and has greater value. " In 1927, experiments were continued.

The German pilots who came to Lipetsk lived in a barrack specially built for them, according to them, very clean and well-maintained. As a rule, everyone had his room. Family officers shot apartments in the city. Later for them, a three-storey residential building with municipal apartments erected near the airfield. To brighten leisure hours, built a casino - a cozy wooden house with a garden. True, at first it did not cost without complications: when the arrivals arrived in the Aviakchuk at the beginning of 1927, the Germans were confiscated 50 degrees of cards and 20 sets of playing bones as items prohibited for imports into the USSR.

Strange, but despite strict measures for the secrecy of the delivery of goods and specialists, in Lipetsk himself, the Germans could walk around the city without any restrictions, went out in its surroundings. Some even got here with families. There are also cases when German aircraft delivered under the guise of commercial cargo in Lipetsk were unpackled from the boxes right at the station and in sight of the entire city were transported to the airfield. Probably, the Soviet leadership not without reason believes that information from the Russian province will not reach the International Commission, who observed the conditions for the conditions of the Versailles.

Even more surprisingly, the Soviet authorities practically did not limit the routes of flights of German aircraft. Machines, often with Soviet identifying signs, flew over the entire central black earth area, produced shooting Voronezh, Yelets, other settlements and railway stations; The pictures were processed by German personnel in the photo laboratory of the Aviashlik. In August 1928, the three-dimensive "Juncher" with the German crew of four made a flight to the German colony in the Volga region to familiarize himself with the life of the colonists. At the same time, landings were carried out in Kuibyshev, Saratov, Kazan.

Some explanation of this amazing carelessness, although not very convincing, can be found in the report of the head of Army intelligence Berzin on RKKA cooperation with Reichsver prepared for K.E. Voroschilov at the end of 1928: "There is no doubt that all German enterprises, in addition to directly their task, also have the task of economic, political and military information (espionage). For this, he says at least that observing all enterprises is such a terry scout of the German headquarters as Niedermeyer. From this side of the enterprise bring us some harm. But this espionage in all data is not directed along the production line and collect secret documents, but is conducted by personal observation, conversations and oral information. Such espionage is less dangerous than the secret, for does not give specific documentary data, but is limited only to fixing seen. "

In 1929, when Stalin's regime began the first wave of repression against his people, the Lipetsk OGPU, in order to show his vigilance, conducted the operation of "pilots", during which nineteen Soviet citizens associated with the German school were captured. Whether some of them were really involved in espionage and how the fate of the arrested is unknown.

Meanwhile, the Germans continued to study pilots unhindered. In just eight years of the existence of an air school in Lipetsk in it, 120 fighter pilots were trained in it (30 of them were participants in the First World War, 20 - former pilots of civil aviation) for Germany. Among them are future aces and high-ranking officers of Luftwaffe Eshök, Schpaidel, Student, Chef Pilot of the company "HayNKEL" and others. For 1927-1930 About 100 German observers flyers were also prepared. Since 1931, their training began in Germany.

The exact number of Soviet aviation experts who have been trained under the guidance of German instructors could not be established, but it can be assumed that it slightly inferior to the numbers specified above, because It is known that only in one 1926, 16 Soviet fighter pilots and 45 air mechanics were preparing in the Lipetsk Aviashlik. True, the course of flight training was very short - only 8.5 flight hours. In addition, a group of 40 skilled workers was created at school, which under the guidance of German engineers acquainted with new techniques for wood and metal.

Summing up the activities of the Lipetsk Aviashloga for 1925-1926, Unshlicht wrote:

"School gives us a school: 1) Capital Equipment of the cultural aircraft; 2) the possibility in 1927 to put together with the system parts; 3) frame good specialists, mechanics and workers; 4) teaches the latest tactical techniques of various types of aviation; 5) Testing armaments of aircraft, photo, radio, etc. Subsidiary services makes it possible by the participation of our representatives to be aware of the latest technical improvements; 6) makes it possible to prepare our flight composition for the flights on fighters and, finally; 7) makes it possible through the temporary stay at the school of our pilots to undergo a course of improvement. "

In addition to official cooperation, there has been an illegal study of German experience. "I give secret tasks to one mechanics," reported by S.G. Korol.

Preparation of military pilots was only one of the activities of the Reichsver in Lipetsk. In 1928, the Aviashcola began a work center for testing German aircraft, illegally built in Germany on the tasks of the military ministry. Since 1930, this direction has become dominant - the group of training and observers flyers was eliminated, a number of double aircraft were taken out, the aircolt was reorganized into an experimental station for testing - "Wifeupast". A new boss came to a change - Major M.Mor.

All this was done under pressure from the Soviet military leadership. At the meeting in the People's Commissariat of Defense in March 1931, Berzin reported:

"In view of the fact that the educational and preparatory work of the Germans for us does not represent interest, the FVERs was put forward to the future time to lead in Lipetsk mainly experimental work using the latest material part and aggregates.

The German side adopted our offer and amounted to a rather extensive and interesting program in 1931. According to this program, 18 aircraft arrives in Lipetsk in 1931, including 5-6 types of cars of a completely new design with which we are not yet familiar. By the way, a new 4-engine aircraft will also arrive in Lipetsk. New samples of machine guns, guns and optics will be tested.

For this program, the Germans offered us to take part of the costs associated with expanding research work. OVVS agreed to take on the content of the part of the challenge, the provision of fuel at the cost and transportation of goods at the military tariff. "

In 1928-1931. In Lipetsk, about 20 types of various German aircraft were tested. Among them are the fighters of the Arado SDII, SD III, SSDI (float), AG 64 and AG 65, Junkers Double Fighter to 47, Double Dornery DO 10, Single Hakel HD 38, Airplanes Hakelin Hakel HD 45 and HD 46, Fockey Wulf S 39 and A 40. Tested in Lipetsk and multi-component aircraft (although the promised four-particle aircraft did not appear). Works in this direction began with alterations in the bombers of three-dimensional passenger junkers G 24 and Rorbach RO VIII. These cars flew to the USSR under the guise of transport, and in Lipetsk workshops, German mechanics set them bombers, sights and machine guns. As training bomber in 1929, modified double multi-purpose junkers and 35 and passenger Dornery "Mercury" were tested. Later in Lipetsk for trial operation From Germany, real bombers - two-dimensional DO P P, DO F and multipurpose two-driven heinkel not 59. Some of these aircraft remained experimental, others - AG 65, DO F, HE 59 arrived later on armament of German Aviation.

In addition to airplanes, the testing station in Lipetsk conducted a study of bombarding sights, photo equipment for aerial photography, aviation small arms, various airbabes (including the so-called "negascique" chemical incendiary bomb), onboard radio equipment.

Something experienced was demonstrated by Soviet specialists. So, in 1930, one Junckers to 47 was transferred to Moscow to the Ministry of Air Force. But the Germans tried to prevent the last achievements of the military equipment of our experts.

In turn, the German Human Resources of the Lipetsk Center showed some samples of Soviet equipment. In 1930, Degtyareva's aviation machine gun was demonstrated on Lipetsk Aerodrome, and only recently began to enter the RKKA Air Force. In the same year, the commander of the fighter branch of the Shengoka and the Engineer Riddenbahu was allowed to visit the TsAGA experienced TsAGA and Motor-Building Plant "IKAR", showed a heavy Tupolevic aircraft ANT-14. A little later, German pilots got acquainted with the R-5 scout - according to their assessment "Pretty clumsy externally, but good aircraft."

Several times Lipetsk visited high-ranking German ranks. Twice, in 1928 and 1930. The Aviarian Air Force and flight schools of Major Major X. von Mittelberger came to Aviashkola. In September 1928, Lipetsk was visited by the head of the Reichsver Major Major V. Blomberg. In the report on this visit he wrote: "The overall impression of the organization of studies, as well as assessing structures as long-term, was great."

Less enthusiasis about the aviation school in Lipetsk expressed the Soviet leadership. K.E. Voroshilov in a conversation with representatives of Reichsvera in September 1929, said: "Lipetsk School has long ago, this is the oldest of the institutions, and she gave nice results For the Reichsver, while we, unfortunately, did not get any benefit from its existence. "

The ancillary was mentioned, when concluding a secret agreement with the Reichsver in 1922, the one, in exchange for the creation of German secret schools in the USSR, promised to assist in attracting German industrials to the development of the Soviet military industry. However, afterwards, the German military leadership began to shy away from this promise, motivating that it could not interfere with private firms. In fact, everything was explained by the fact that since the mid-1920s, Germany turned to the West in its foreign policy, and the idea of \u200b\u200ba close union with Soviet Russia became unpopular.

The USSR was forced to cooperate with German aviation firms independently and, not always successfully. This caused growing irritation in the government. In the resolution on the arrival in Moscow and Lipetsk General Major Mittelberger K.E. Voroshilov wrote: "Listen to the Mittelberger and no advances to give. They feel their uncomfortable position first and try to cover things into words, and simultaneously run their paws even further into our aircraft ... "

In addition, the impression was in effect that the Germans hide their latest technical innovations in the military field. Berzin in 1931 reported Voroshilov: "The results of work in Kazan and Lipetsk are not quite satisfying by the UMM and AVVS, because "Friends" weakly bring the latest technical objects to be trials, sometimes limited to outdated types (Focker aircraft D-XIII) and are not always frankly divided by their materials and information obtained as a result of research and training work. "

This largely corresponded to reality. When in March 1932, at the negotiations in Moscow with Mittelberger, Alksnis, he asked to show the high-altitude aircraft and airlines developed in Lipetsk, to give the opportunity to get acquainted with the works of Fokke-Wulf by helicopters, as well as demonstrate the latest achievements In the field of automatic control of the aircraft and automatic bombing, the head of the German Air Force made it clear that the Germans do not intend to bring these technical innovations in the USSR. With the same result ended in November 1932, the negotiations of the Soviet and German military leadership on the plans of the work of German military centers in our country. Reichsver clearly avoided the show of the latest aviation achievements of Germany.

Faced with this, the Soviet military leaders decided to act independently, using for contacts with German aircraft designers of a business trip to Germany. In the report of M.N. Tukhachevsky on a visit to Germany in the fall of 1932, the following says:

"... In Dessau, I examined the stratospheric junket aircraft. He has already made an experienced flight to height above 9000 m, but further tests are discontinued, because In connection with the collapse (in 1932, the company "Junkers" again went bankrupt. -All.) Junkers has no money for it. The highness of the aircraft is designed for 16000 m.

Junkers agree on our participation in the conclusion of the structure of the stratospheric aircraft, in the form of whether the order or participation in experiments, with payment of those. This question is so important and we are so far in this area, that these consent needs it is possible to use more urgently.

With respect to the powerful airdress of the Junkers (Jumo 4 with a capacity of 720 hp-avt.) Representatives of Lufthansa in Tempelgof said that he works smoothly. Fuel consumption for power, only a little more than 160 g, while the gasoline motor consumes until 240 g.

Junkers declares that he designed a supercharger for this motor to give him altitudes, but was supposed to stop developing in connection with the collapse. He agrees to construct this supercharger for aircraft models that we ordered him than you need to take advantage.

In Tempelsgof, they experience a new Siemens Motor with air-cooled on the plane. The engine is so interesting that it is necessary to purchase several samples.

Regarding orders for autopilot for aircraft and automatic management, Siemens does not refuse and accepts our requirements, but stipulates that in such new and unprecedented structures it is impossible to void for the exact execution of all claims. Nevertheless, it swings that the devices will be the most perfect of all modern devices. "

All these plans failed to come true. Just a few months after the trip of Tukhachevsky, Hitler came to power in Germany and the relationship between the USSR and Germany sharply deteriorated. Military orders for the USSR were canceled. Yunkers, by decision of the new government, was removed from affairs. All aviation enterprises had to work now only on the development of German military power.

In the fall of 1933, the aviation school in Lipetsk and other military facilities in Germany in the territory Soviet Union They were closed, German military experts returned to their homeland.

At first glance, it seems obvious that the decision to eliminate the Baz Reichsver in the USSR was a consequence of a change in Soviet-German relations after the appointment of Hitler's head of the German government. However, it is not. The documents suggest that the question of the feasibility of closing the Lipetsk Aviatychkola was discussed by the leadership of the Reichsber back in 1932, and officially about its emergency liquidation Colonel Kestering informed the head of the headquarters of the RKKKA A.I. Egorova January 11, 1933 - 19 days before the arrival of Hitler to power.

The official reason for the closure of the school was called the need to save funds. Indeed, its maintenance costs ReichSwer, even though the Soviet government did not take money for using the airfield and surrounding the arrangements. According to H. Schapydel, who participated in the work of the Aviation School since 1927 to its closure, annual housing costs, transportation of aircraft and equipment, the acquisition of fuel, payment by Soviet personnel, etc. There were about 2 million brands per year. The situation was aggravated by the economic crisis in Germany in the early 1930s.

However, the main reason, in my opinion, consisted in another. Using the benefits of the West, from the beginning of the 1930s, Germany has ever more actively developed the armed forces within the country and, as a result, there was no longer a lot of need for the maintenance of ReichSver objects abroad. Thus, in flight schools in Germany, at the beginning of the 1930s, it was trained annually from 300 to 500 pilots - more than in the entire existence of the "Russian" aircolum. The test of military aircraft was also successfully carried out within the country.

In 1933, the Lipetsk Air Center existed as it were in the "transitional mode". The training of pilots continued, but the deterioration of relations between the USSR and Germany, as well as the famous plans for the closure of the school already markedly affected her work. On March 31, at the meeting of the headquarters of the headquarters of the Red Army, it was decided to maximize the movement of German pilots through the territory of the USSR, to reduce the number of Russian personnel to a minimum, refuse to school in the preferential military tariff during the carriage of goods from Germany, prohibit the use of a landfill for training firing and bombing. German Pilot Cadet H. Hardender, who studied flights in Lipetsk from May to August 1933, was recorded in his diary: "The Russian government has banned the flight of the aircraft W 33 to Moscow. Our commander reported that the situation is very tense and forbade us to criticize the Russians and their decisions. "

The release of 1933 was only 15 people.

On August 18, the airfield in Lipetsk was returned by the RKKA Air Force. A few days later to Moscow, and then the route "Derulyufta" in Germany flew by the aircraft W33, to 47 and a 48 with German pilots and the most valuable equipment on board. Recent representatives of the Reichswee left Lipetsk on September 14th. We went to the "inheritance" built buildings built by the Germans, 15 already significantly obsolete aircraft "Focker D XIII", several cars.

The existence of Lipetsk Aviation School to a certain extent was useful both parties, especially in the initial period of its activities. Germany was able to prepare about 200 military pilots there, some of which were taken later by team posts in Luftwaffe, to experience a number of new combat aircraft and weapons systems. Due to this, there was an opportunity at least slightly, but maintaining and developing in conditions of a strict ban on the development of military aviation, the military-technical potential accumulated during the First World War.

The Soviet side received a unique opportunity to get acquainted, at least partly, with innovations of German aircraft on its territory and learn the German experience of combat use of aviation. One of the outcome of this was the appearance in 1934 first in the USSR instructions on the technique of bombing.

In addition, by agreement with the Reichsver, German military leadership in exchange for the existence of its Bases in the USSR assumed the obligation to host the Supreme Officers of the Red Army in order to increase their qualifications and acquaintances with foreign military equipment. In 1926-1932. Germans visited the leaders of the Soviet Air Force Ya.I. Calxnis, Samezheninov, B.M. Feldman, Deputy Chairman of the RVS I.S.Untshlikht, Head of the Staff of the Republic of Redek M.N. Tukhachevsky and others. During these visits, a number of German aviation firms and enterprises were inspected ("Junker", "Heinkel", "Siemens", "Hirt", BMW, etc.), flight schools, scientific organizations. The basis of the seen of the interheneines in early 1933, he prepared a special report in which she recommended that our designers apply wings on airplanes with a flap and a prediction to achieve the largest range of speeds, as "Arado" and Heinkers do, following the Junkers work Under aviation diesel engines and supervising systems for increasing the high-rise motor, ratified for the development of radio navigation equipment for flights out of sight of the Earth.

Immediately after the departure of the Germans, the Higher Military School of the RKKA Air Force was created on the basis of the Lipetsk Aviation School, which later was converted to the flight center for testing combat aircraft.

And yet, as V.V. rightly notes Zakharov, should not exaggerate the role of this center in the development of military aviation of Germany and the USSR. The main military programs of both countries have evolved independently of each other. By 1932, Germany managed to prepare in the illegal military aircraft in Braunschweig and Rehilin about 2000 future Luftwaffe pilots. The main aircraft of the German Air Force were created in Germany after the closure of the Lipetsk Station.

The share of Soviet aviation specialists prepared with the help of the Germans in Lipetsk is also very small. For comparison, I will give such numbers: only in 1932, the training centers of our country have released 1200 Air Force officers, and in 1933 to 3030.

With the elimination of the Lipetsk Aviation Center, the first phase of cooperation between the Red Army and Reichsver in the field of aviation continued for more than 10 years ended. For many Soviet leaders of the Air Force, these cooperation had tragic consequences. During the years of Stalin's repression for "friendship" with the Reichsver, as "German spies" Ya.I. Alksnis, S.A. Mezheninov, A.P. Rosengolts, B.M. Feldman. M.N. died Tukhachevsky, I.S. Unshlicht and many other major military units. For his business trips to Germany and meetings with the German general general, they signed their death sentence.

Personal composition of the Soviet aircroids located next door to the Germans. Eight years after the operation "Pilots", in a bloody 1937, arrested as agents of the German intelligence officer of the flight of the flight of the First World War A.M. Thomson and more seven of our fellow citizens. With the beginning of the war with Germany in Lipetsk, a new wave of spyware, detentions and executions began. This time the victims were more - 39 people

Sobolev D.A., Khazanov D.B.

Sources

• German trail in the history of domestic aviation. / Sobolev D.A., Khazanov D.B. /

In order to show potential buyers, all the capabilities of aircraft workers, to promote its sale abroad, as well as demonstrate to the audience fighting power of the Air Force in many countries from the best pilots, special aviation groups are created. The combat aircraft of the Russian Federation represents the "Falcon of Russia" aerobatic group.

Getting started

The flight group "Falcon of Russia" was unofficially formed in 1993. These were not easy times in the history of the formation of Russian aviation. Due to the lack of the required quantity of fuel, the pilot per year could count on only 60 hours of the plaque. Initially this group was the same as the link of the 4th Center, performing reappection and combat application Pilots Air Force.

The base for its creation was the aircraft center in Lipetsk. The flight group "Falcon of Russia" (as it will be named in 2004) was intended for improvement and demonstration of the Su-27 produced in the Russian Federation. In addition, on the basis of the Lipetsk Air Center, professional training of pilots was carried out. The initial composition of the pilot group "Falcon Russia" was presented by several officers. Despite the lack of fuel, the pilots demonstrated high maneuverability of fighters.

Second stage of group formation

Successfully performed test flights showed both high combat and maneuverable capabilities of fighters, and the prospect of further development of the pilot group "Falcon Russia". In this regard, at the beginning of the 2000s, the training aviation program was supplemented with the training of a group pilot of four Military SU-27, two-two-on-two aerial combat and a single pilot. In 2004, a formal approval of the composition of the pilot group "Falcon of Russia" was held.

Pilots

The formation was presented:

• Head of the state center of military testing of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the preparation of the airwater, the leading group, the Honored pilot of Russia, Major General Alexander Harchevsky.
• The leading link, the pilot-sniper, deserved military pilot of Russia, Colonel Alexander Gosvev.
• Left slave, deserved military pilot of the Russian Federation, Snipher Sniper by Lieutenant Colonel Yury Svdryavyev.
• The right led, the pilot-sniper lieutenant colonel Andrei Sorokin.
• Commander of the Avia Squadrilles of the group, the first-class military pilot by Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Zaev.
• The tail of the slave, the navigator programmer, the first-class military pilot, Major, Denis, Polovko.

First air demonstrations

In June 2004, an air show took place in Nizhny Novgorod, which was attended by the "falcon of Russia". As eyewitnesses speak, the demonstration of the maneuverable and combat capacity of the Su-27 was carried out at a very high level. It was 12.06.2004 that many are considered the day of the emergence of the aeronautical group of the highest pilot of the air force of Russia.

Subsequent speeches

From 2007 to 2013 Pilots demonstrated their skills in countries such as France, Norway, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Belarus. Su-34 and Su-30 were also provided at the disposal of pilots.

In 2014, the 10th military holiday "Open Sky" was held in Ivanovo at the North Airfield, which presented their combat skills of Sokol Russia. At this airfield in 2014, the group performed for the first time using four aircraft. The second time "Falcon of Russia" took part in this festival in 2015, adding the composition of another two aircraft. The demonstration of single pilotage was performed by Major General A. Kharchevsky. In the same year, the group performed at the polygon in Dubrovichi, where army international games took place.

In 2016, the Central Embankment of Kamyshin (Volgograd region) became the center of Aviadonovstrates. The group spoke on four aircraft. In August 2016, a 75th anniversary of the establishment of the eleven armies of the Air Force and Air Defense of Russia was held in the city of Khabarovsk. At the celebration of the group pilots, a complex program was performed, including a group aerobatics on small and ultra-low altitudes.

Our days

Today, pilots for the demonstration of all tactical techniques in a limited space and at low altitudes are used by combat SU-27 and a pair of MiG-29. In addition, pilots represent the audience, as the near air battle looks like in the sky. SU-25 attack aircraft are used by the group pilots to demonstrate anti-missile maneuvers and tactical techniques used during the attack on terrestrial targets.

The speeches contain not only air combat elements, pilots show various figures in the sky: "Nesterova's loop", "shell", "Virage", "RosPask". The complex has a single pilotat.

Conclusion

According to experts, Sokols of Russia are the only pilot group that uses fighter combat aircraft for demonstrations of defensive offensive techniques. Shows performed by pilots are very spectacular and give public the opportunity to appreciate both the skill of pilots and the combat capabilities of Russian aircraft.