Valery Pavlovich Chkalov Bornéu on February 2,1904

On February 2, 1904, 120 years ago, the famous Soviet test pilot, Brigade Commander, Hero of the USSR Valery Pavlovich Chkalov was born.
A legendary man, originally from the common people. Cities and roads, ships and planes were named in his honor, documentaries and feature films were published, dozens of books, stamps and postcards were published and even today very important experimental centers, bombers, factories, airports and helicopters are named after him, but few people they know that his flying life was short-lived - only 15 years - but very intense.

He served for five years in the Red Army Air Force, 2 years in Osoaviakhim (now DOSAAF), 8 years as a test pilot at the State Flight Test Center (929th GLITz now named after him) and at the Design Bureau . "N.N. Polikarpov".
Chkalov made a great contribution to the development of new air combat tactics on high-speed maneuverable fighters; he is the author of two new stunts: an "upward corkscrew" and a "slow motion barrel". More than 70 production and experimental aircraft passed into his hands, which at that time formed the basis of the Soviet aviation.

The I-15, I-15bis and I-16 fighters, tested by Chkalov, fought bravely in Spain, at Khalkhin Gol and in the first years of the Great Patriotic War. His two non-stop flights on the ANT-25 aircraft to the Far East and to the United States (via the North Pole) forever glorified the name of him and the Soviet Air Force.
The darling of the people who with his unparalleled feats called thousands of young people to the skies to the coveted flying activities.
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