Where do the heroes go? Peter Ostapenko - memory is immortal
8 April of this year, died Hero of the Soviet Union, the most experienced test pilot Peter Maximovich Ostapenko. A memorial service for a well-known and respected person, the Hero of the USSR, an honored pilot should start at 10 hours in the Palace of Culture in Zhukovsky.Peter Maximovich lived an amazing life and stayed in stories Russia loyal son of his homeland and a brilliant aviator who risked his life for the good of the Fatherland. Ostapenko came from a Cossack family, dispossessed in the early 30-ies of the past century. The birthday of the hero who left us is September 17 of the year 1928. Pyotr Maksimovich was born in a small town with the resounding name Prokhladny in Kabardino-Balkaria. In the fourth year of his life, he and his parents moved to the Ossetian city of Vladikavkaz. Ostapenko's childhood and youth fell on hard war and post-war years, which made the boy resilient, patient and responsible. His strong character was noticeable during the period of study at the school in the city of Vladikavkaz No. 1, later named after him.
According to the stories of Peter Maksimovich himself, interest in aviation woke up thanks to one event forever imprinted in his memory. As a fourteen-year-old boy, Ostapenko became an involuntary witness to the air battle of two Soviet and two German military aircraft. Only the saved Nazi messer, having opened fire on the observer, was able to force the bewitched young man to leave the theater of events. In 1947, Ostapenko entered the Aviation Military School in Armavir, where he mastered the profession of a pilot until 1951. After four years of diligent study, Pyotr Maksimovich became an instructor pilot at his school, and in 1957, with the rank of captain, he was transferred to the reserve.
However, the active nature of Ostapenko demanded new achievements, and already in 1958, he enters the Test Pilot School, and in 1967, he successfully passes the final exams at the Zhukovsky branch of the Moscow Aviation Institute. The profession of a test pilot is the dream of almost every Soviet boy. Romance of the sky attracted young Peter Maximovich. However, the sky takes in his arms only the most courageous and purposeful people, which turned out to be our hero. His entire adult life was spent in preparation for this dangerous and rapid unity of height and man. From 1958 to 1981, he worked in an experienced design bureau under the guidance of authoritative designer Mikoyan at that time, where he soon gained the respect of his colleagues for the ability to fully devote himself to his beloved work. In addition to Ostapenko, his colleagues at the Test Test School Alexander Fedotov and Igor Kravtsov built their careers in the bureau.
4 January 1965 of the year was tragic for the team of the test bureau - the team of pilots lost Igor Kravtsov, who died during the testing of E-150. The risk seemed to materialize, hung in the air, became tangible, but neither Ostapenko nor Fedotov left the profession. By the end of 60, Peter Maximovich was already a real ace of piloting on a variety of aircraft models. Over the entire period, he piloted over 60 types of aircraft, not counting their modifications. Ostapenko, according to the testimony of his colleagues and students, had an amazing ability to merge with the machine into one. The aircraft became its continuation, corporeal shell, more than ten thousand safe landings, eight world records and five thousand hours in flight today serve as irrefutable proof of his skill. The superiority of Ostapenko was recognized not only by his comrades in the testimony of the legendary Migov, but also by the pilots who tested the Su models. It should be noted that Peter Maksimovich set his records on such machines as the MiG-21 and MiG-25, as well as on the infamous E-150. Unlike modern models of cars that came to the tests in the 60-s, were almost devoid of automation, so the ability to "feel" the car was considered the most valuable quality of the pilot.
One of Ostapenko's students and friends in his works describes an entertaining case that characterizes Peter Maximovitch not only as a strong and resolute person, but also as a real professional. When testing the MiG-23 with the engine of the first designer A.M. Cradle unexpectedly there were significant disruptions in the motor. Ostapenko was forced to plant an eleven-ton car on a "small gas", which gave traction no more than 300 kg. The most difficult landing approach was performed brilliantly, and the designers, including Cradle, personally shook the tester's hand.
Describing Ostapenko, one cannot fail to draw attention to the fact that, despite all the authority and numerous records, he received the title of Hero of the USSR only after more than thirteen years of his professional activity. However, people who knew Peter Maximovich closely, easily explain this strange circumstance. The brilliant pilot simply did not know how and did not want to please and flatter his superiors, and he always expressed his opinion about the quality of the tested equipment directly, sometimes not being embarrassed in expressions. It was precisely for the frankness that Ostapenko did not like the higher ranks. The keen word and principled position often ran counter to the interests of the bureaucratic community, so the bold, “inflexible” pilot tried to keep aside and hush up his successes.
The courageous man, being in the shadow of the glory of his colleague Fedotov, did not lose his individuality and striving for achievements. Especially appreciated Ostapenko for the desire to save the entrusted car in the most difficult situations. More than once the pilot ejected, but always did it, only having tried all possible ways to land the plane. There were engine failures, fires, and other dangerous situations in his professional life, but not once did Pyotr Maksimovich lose hold, clarity of mind and courage. The ability to maintain control over himself saved his life more than once, but on earth he could not or did not want to restrain sharp expressions.
He left the profession of Ostapenko in 53, but being full of strength, he worked with the younger generation of specialists at the flight station. He had repeatedly received proposals to continue his professional activities on transport aircraft, but the role of the pilot of the legendary fighters did not allow them to be received. Many ranks and orders were conferred on Peter Maksimovich, there were international awards in his life for his special contribution to the development of aviation, but the real victory was respect and recognition in the circles of pilots and gratitude of the young generation. His ideas, imbued with the spirit of patriotism, honor and duty, were perceived not only by students, but by many of those who were fortunate enough to communicate with this courageous pilot.
11 of April with the hero will be forgiven not only his relatives and friends, but also ordinary citizens. Ostapenko’s life journey ended short on 84, the year of his life, but his memory will remain with us for a long time.
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