Not everyone enjoyed respect in the huge team of Soviet test pilots. Sergei Timofeevich Agapov was one of those whom they came for advice. He tested dozens of military aircraft and made a significant contribution to the development of Soviet aviation.
Biography
The life of a famous pilot began on September 24, 1932 in the village of Varvarovka in the Saratov Region. In 1949 he graduated from the special Gorky Air Force School. His army activities began in 1949. In 1952, he simultaneously graduated from two educational institutions training aviation specialists.
He continued his career as a pilot until 1983. He buried his wife at a young age, since then he has not spread about personal life, he never had children. The famous aviator died on May 4, 2006 in the city of Zhukovsky. He was buried at Bykovsky cemetery in the same city.
Aviation Achievements and Stories
Agapov began his career as a test pilot in 1959, he entered a specialized school. After its completion, Sergei Timofeevich came to the Tupolevites. Vasily Borisov, who was always Sergey’s rival, also crossed with him. They were always the main competitors of each other, personally practically did not communicate, but the pilots were skilled. According to Agapov, Borisov needed only money and fame, he exaggerated his achievements too much.
Such a harsh statement Sergei Timofeevich allowed himself for a reason. He knew very well that his opponent would learn about this phrase. His distinguishing feature was to tell other pilots what he thinks without various embellishments. Other aviation leaders were not at all offended by Agapov’s words; moreover, they continued to speak of him as a talented pilot with a successful future.
For decades of working with various aircraft, all the possible OKB models have passed through the hands of the famous test pilot. Agapov, together with Kozlov and Bessonov from the very beginning of work in the Tupolev Design Bureau, made the main emphasis on the tests of the Tu-28 interceptor. The car was received by G.T. The work took place in Vladimirovka. There an unusual incident occurred, showing the incredible sociability and reliability of Agapov as a comrade.
Sergey is a short man, and Beregovoi is above average. First flew the first, and then the second. One day after Agapov’s flight into the cabin, Beregovoi sat down and began to close the cap of the “lantern”, and he hit him on the head. An ejection chair officer immediately ran up to him and began to make excuses: he forgot to remove Agapov’s pillow from the chair. Beregovoi did a stupid act and hit a specialist in the face, as he was an emotionally unstable employee. The "Trade Union" immediately took up arms against such an unworthy act, for the aggressor this action could be the last in his career, but Sergei Timofeevich saved him.
He began negotiations, and the land government agreed to acquit the culprit, but for a box of cognac. Agapov, of course, did not refuse such a gift and took part in its “destruction” together with the staff of the earth crew. Only later, when there were problems with the heart, Agapov already ceased to allow himself even a glass of vodka.
The famous test pilot has accumulated vast experience in flying with large angles of attack on a Tu-134 military aircraft. On this machine, Agapov reached such large angles of attack that forced self-oscillations of the entire structure began, caused by a temporary breakdown of turbulent equilibrium. The tests that Sergey performed on the Tu-134, exploring large angles of attack and corkscrew modes, are considered by professionals to be one of the most difficult and dangerous.
Sergei Timofeevich said that when work began on the most powerful modern missile carrier Tu-160, he did not even hope to work on it. According to him, to bring this aircraft to perfection, it will take 20 or more years, and Agapov at that time was 50. Sergei Timofeevich was asked to fly as a co-pilot to try out this model. He conducted aviation work and said that the car was made with high quality.
Records and awards
An experienced test pilot set 14 world records on the TU-144, he developed the highest speed, lift height and load capacity. The very first flight on this machine was performed by Agapov, he was the crew commander, he was assisted by an Aeroflot pilot Kuznetsov. Sergey has more than 6 medals and awards. He became a Hero of the Soviet Union, received the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the medal "For Labor Valor" and others.
