Viktor Chirkin Test cosmonaut of the State Research Institute of the Air Force Date of Birth: 13.07.1944 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Career
3. Flight Test Career
4. Cosmonaut Training
5. Retirement and Later Career

Early Life and Education

Victor Vasilyevich Chirkin was born on 13 July 1944, in Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia. He graduated from the 10th grade at the School for Working Youth No. 6 in Barnaul in 1963, and obtained a qualification as a pilot from the Barnaul Aeroclub in the same year. In 1978, he earned a degree in aircraft engineering from the Akhtubinsk Branch of the Moscow Aviation Institute named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze (MAI).

Military Career

Chirkin began his military service in the Soviet Army in 1963. He attended the Armavir Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots from 1963 to 1967, graduating with a diploma as a "pilot-engineer" with a "Command-Aviation Specialty."

After graduating from air school, Chirkin served as a flight instructor in various units of the 148th Red Banner Center for Combat Training and Retraining of Flight Personnel for Air Defense Aviation. He held positions such as Flight Instructor on Su-9 aircraft, Squadron Commander on MiG-25P aircraft, and Deputy Commander of an Aviation Test Squadron.

Flight Test Career

In July 1974, Chirkin graduated with honors from the Flight Test Pilot Training Center (FTPTC) of the Air Force in Akhtubinsk. He subsequently served as a Test Pilot in various squadrons of the State Flight Test Center of the VVS (GKNII VVS) from 1974 to 1986. During this time, he was a leading test pilot for the state trials of the MiG-21, Su-27, MiG-29M, MiG-31, MiG-Z1M, and Su-27 aircraft.

Cosmonaut Training

In 1978, Chirkin was selected to a group of test pilots for atmospheric testing of the Buran space shuttle. He underwent medical examinations and was approved by the State Interdepartmental Commission as a candidate member on 1 December 1978.

From January 1979 to November 1980, Chirkin underwent general space training at the Yuri A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (CTC). On 12 February 1982, he was awarded the qualification of "Cosmonaut-Tester." However, he was not included in the cosmonaut group formed in August 1987 and ceased further preparations.

Retirement and Later Career

Chirkin retired from the military in 1999 with the rank of Major General of Aviation. Since 1999, he has worked as a Senior Researcher (Consultant to the Commander) at the V.P. Chkalov State Flight Test Center (GLITC) in Akhtubinsk.