This plane TU-154 should complete its aviation life as a training tool for students of Samara Aerospace University. This gift was made by Russian airline company “Utair” for the university. But how to deliver this unusual present to the old airfield Smyshlyaevka where the training centre is based? This complex task was entrusted to the legendary crew.
Ruben Yesayan is the aircraft commander. He train new pilots - new types of Russian aircraft and transferred cargoes to Antarctica. He also performed a mission in Ukhta that made the crew team famous all over the world. They managed to boost the plane TU-154 into the air that remained after forced landing from the abandoned airfield. But this flight in Samara was even more dangerous.
The take-off strip in Smyshlyaevka is only 1 km 200 meters long, and for native landing the necessary length is almost twice as large. An error will inevitably lead to an accident. When the airplane breaks ground, the pilots will have only two attempts to land it on a short take-off strip. The aircrafts are fuelled only for these attempts to facilitate the aircraft weight as much as possible. There was a complete silence in the control room where everybody watched the historic moment and then applause broke out.
As it turned out, Yesayan crew needed only seven hundred meters to land the plane - it is literally a world record. According to colleagues, the commander once confided his thoughts that he wanted to upends his career with an outstanding flight. The previous day was exactly the same. But no one believes that this bright and brave man - Ruben Yesayan again will not sit at the wheel of Samara TU-154 his own favourite aircraft - as he admitted himself.
Transportation of the plane on SSAU training airfield is ahead.
