Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the title of Hero of the Russian Federation to test pilot, commander of the flight detachment of the flight test complex of PJSC "Yakovlev," Leonid Chikunov.
Chikunov is closely connected with the history of the Superjet project. In May 2008, as part of the crew, he first took the SSJ-100 aircraft into the air. In August 2023, as the commander of the aircraft, the pilot performed the first flight of the experimental SJ-100 with Russian systems.
Leonid Chikunov is one of the most experienced test pilots in the country. In 2018, he was awarded the title of "Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation" for his many years of contribution to the development of flight tests, participation in research of new aviation technology, and training of qualified personnel. Earlier, in 1990, he was awarded the medal "For Military Merit."
In September 2025, Chikunov again led the crew during the first flight of the import-substituted SJ-100, built using serial technologies. The aircraft was in the air for about an hour, demonstrating stable controllability and confident engine operation.
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