The meaning of the words in the title is best known to the test pilots of the Akhtuba State Flight Test Center named after V.P. Chkalov. Until recently, it was a highly classified research institute. Consequently, the people who worked there were in the "shadow of secrecy." However, with the advent of new times and the reorganization of the GLITs, they have revealed their secrets: their people and their aircraft are the subjects of our photo report.

Structurally, the center consists of branches. The main base units are located in several garrisons. The main actors in this military institution are career officers, and the rank of a pilot is usually no lower than that of a colonel. In other words, they are test pilots. It is an understatement to say that the pilots here fly new aircraft. After all, it is here that the technology developed by the design bureau truly begins its independent life. Planes are taught to fly in a new way, according to their combat mission. After they are fine-tuned and recommendations are issued for the troops, they are adopted by the Air Force. This specific nature of military work leaves its mark on people's characters and the moral climate.

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in an unusual military team.

Paying tribute to the courage and skill of his subordinates, the commander of the unit, Lieutenant General of Aviation Yu. Tregubenko constantly repeats, addressing his subordinates: "You are forging weapons of the Fatherland here." And it really is. Only those who are not initiated into the mysteries of aviation will not pay attention to the line of planes lined up along the strip, which outwardly seem to be indistinguishable from each other. In fact, machines differ both in their equipment, internal content, and purpose. Therefore, the requirements for professionals are very high. For example, a test pilot needs a short period of time, from one day to one month, to prepare for the first flight on a new aircraft. At the same time, even a trained professional pilot takes at least six months to learn a new aircraft.

In flight terms, the Glits is the ultimate point in the final refinement of an aircraft before it is put into production. This is why the test pilots, engineers, and technicians are so highly skilled and dedicated. Their dedication is driven by the Center's primary objective, which is to test all experimental and production aircraft and weapons systems in order to further improve the combat readiness of the Russian Air Force.

Without fear of grandiose words, everything that the specialists of the State Flight Test Center do can be called a feat. Like a young child, they teach the most advanced technology its first steps in life. And here, in the laboratory workshops and on the airfields, they teach planes to fly. In aviation, there is a term called "putting on the wing." And wings only grow stronger in flight. The Chkalov State Flight Test Center is the first to provide this opportunity.

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