It is well known that the Wrights Brothers opened the era of aircraft in 1903. Another fact is that
A.F. Mozhaisky,a great scientist from S. Petersburg took out a patent for inventing the airplane-the first flying machine witch was heavier than air.
It happened on November 3rd,1881.
The plane had three four bladed propellers and elevator and rudders.
The wing span was 24 meters and the aircraft was 15 meters in length, 371,6 square metres surfaces in total.
The MTOW was 950 kg and the max payload was 300kg.
The design flying speed was40 km per hour at total engine power of 30 h.p.
In summer1882 the plane was ready for testing.
Mozhaisky constructed a special runway in the form of an inclined wooden flooring for the plane to use for a running start.
He believed that this inclined path would give the chance to develop additional speed during the running start, having increased its lifting power.
Mozhaisky's plane tests were top secret. On July 20th ,1882,the representatives of the Military Department and Russian Technical society gathered on
the military field in Krasnoe Selo.
Mozhaisky himself was not allowed to fly. He was already 57. Golubev, the assistant and the mechanic did the testing.
The plane piloted by Golubev having picked-up necessary speed rose to the air and after flying
Some distance in a straight line, made a landing. While landing the plane damaged wings,
But Mozhaisky was satisfied by the testing BECAUSE IT WAS PROVED PRACTICALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE WORLD THE POSSIBILITY OF MANNED FLIGHT.
In general the recognition and support of the government seemed to have been won, but there proved to be many difficulties with this.
For a start the Military officials considered the invention to be a military secret, it was stricly prohibited to write anything about the plane.
No help was given to the inventor either.
Tsar’s officials and foreigners working in Russia did all their best to forget not only the success of the Russian inventor but even his name.
A full description of Mozhaisky’s testing, taking place in 1881-1886 has not been found. The work was carried out under aegis of Military Department
and could not be acknowledged. A major part of archives for that period of time was lost during the revolution of 1917. This included all the documents
confirming the fact that during one of the tests Mozhaisky’s plane took off the ground, was in the air several seconds and landed .
An article written by Marcovitch confirmed that Mozhasky’s plane inclined to one side and broke supporting surfaces during his taking off.
Captain H. Yatsuk, telling his friends about Mozhaisky’s apparatus in his “Notes on Aviation” informs that during the test the plane raised itself a
little bit, but landed with bank having lost its balance.
Data on Mozhaisky’s airplane served as an indirect confirmation of the information presented. Despite the availability of
Practically all major features of the modern aircraft, including operated tail unit, there is no information about any means of bank control and devices
for the –elevon, ailevon and so on.
Naturally, in the absence of such devices even a light gust of wind could result in loosing lateral stability and the plane stalling.
In spite of this fact it was the first successful attempt of man to live the ground by means of an apparatus which was heavier than air but equipped
with a motor. Mozhasky compensated any power shortage of the two steam engines by using the inclined railway line for speeding up the airplane.
Mozhasky gave many years of his life to the work of his airplane. He was ahead of most designers in other countries for many years.Continue with his plane
in 1890 he died. The shed, where the airplane was kept, was burnt down together with the motors. The drafts were burnt too.
The name of this gifted inventor had been forgotten in Tsarist Russia. Only now our investigators and historians gave back to mankind the name of the great
Russian inventor of the first airplane in the world- Alexander Fedorovitch Mozhaisky.
Victor Goncharenko
(Everything is in Russia, as in Russia. Not to find the ends.) Pursuing a dream.
I am on slightly snow-covered American prairie,to find the place where Wright Brothers made a flight. I bowed to that place, put up a Russian
Flag and went home .
My friend Scott had been calling me to visit him for a long time . He visited us several times, and his Mother also visited us .
Scott lives in Northern Carolina where that historical Wright Brothers flight had been made.
I wrote a letter to my friend that I want to be a pier on December, 17th at 10 o'clock 15 minutes, on Kitti Hawk .
Scott was delighted. He offered show me Washington DC and the city of New York .
I agreed to see the cities of Washington DC and New York but told him that on December, 17th at 10.15 I
have to be on Kitti Hawk.
It was decided, to go to the USA with Luda. She will help me to fill myself comfortable. I have to fly on the other end of the Earth!This would be my furthest flight
and I started appluing for a visa.
Scott had sent the invitation on the Internet , but on that day when we went for an interview at the consulate, Scott had
also sent the official invitation which had been sent on DHL . He also sent an American magazine with my photo in it, So, that I was widely known,
in narrow circles.
By the way the message had come, with delay of 10-15 minutes only!
But without this support we made a good impression upon the Consul and we got visa.
I let Scott know that everything was alright.
Tickets were taken on Finnair. The price very pleasantly surprised me!For workers of airlines the huge discount was applied.The system is Stand
by,so if there are places avaible, you fly, If there are no places, you do not fly. There were places, and we flew from Peter to Helsinki.
The Flight to Miami was delayed by 40minutes, but that 40 minutes passed quickly and we were soon airborn.
The MD-11 has 3 rows across and we sat on the middle. Luda sat on the left, and on the right a husband and wife. it looked as if they were Finns.
The food is better in our company , but cognac was supplied. Armenian Cognac,as the truth, was not available, and I have to drink French,
after 3 glasses the difference almost dissappered.
Cognac was brought every 30-40 minutes. My wine-glass was already empty by this time and ingenious stewardesses after that,topped up my glass without asking
There were no problems with language for us , but I was not given the permition to visit the flight deck (the September, 11th had spoiled any oppotunities)
Instead I observed of the huge screen
showing a plane place plus remained distance, air temperature, speed and flight level.
Later the same screen showed American films, we flied in darkness, over the ocean. Cognac had been drunk and I had fallen asleep.
I woke up abeam of Charlotte s. We would arrave in hadly more than an hour.Florida was on the right hand side, and our plane had started to descend.
I worried about Luda.She was badly transferred decending, but here was all right, because, the plane was much more modern ours, with all following consequences.
At last, we are in the United States! What would be waiting for us?
We have passed customs very easily.
There are 8 hours of time difference and in Miami it was evening.What should we do and where should we go i had no idea . I approached the
“American Airlines“ where a good-natured afro-american man,
the Negro (Black are called North American Negroes in the USA)I asked how to reach Sharlotte and I showed him my Flight certificate (License)
and the admission for visiting of all aerodromes-my airside pass. These documents were normaly enouth to give me access
to a free jump seat if available.
This ts how flights were made available for us in the time of Socialism - “the glass ticket“ ,It also continuet during the epoch of the developed
capitalism. Riss which was the name of the AA staff member, explained to me, that after the act of
terrorism on September, 11th, foreigners cannot now use the Jump Seat system. Next day,there were no flights to Charlotte.
It was decided to call Scott to find out what to do. The were possibleties were as steam locomotive or the bus to pass 900 kilometres and look at the country.
Riss healped me to call friend,
because their call boxes very different from ours and you have to buy a 10 dollar card
Scott was very delighted, that we, at last, had arrived, and asked to us not worry about anything, and to go to sleep.We were to be at the
“American Airlines” desk in the morning, at 8 o'clock.
He coppied all our nameplate data, and told, that we would depart to the Role,the capitals of Northern Carolina where Will would met us and bring us to Charlotte. I knew Will for a long time. He with Scott came to us.
Riss was delighted too and has planted us to the bus of their airline to their hotel which cost much less than than airport.
We presented Riss a Small suvenier. it was the first American man in the USA which who met us on a nice way.
“Crown Plaza” was 10-15 minutes drive from the airport On a special concourse.
Around the hotel there were flags but there were no Russian ones.
I paid for the first time with Golden Visa card and spent 70 dollars.
We went to have supper,But if I did not know the names of dishes in Russian, of corse. I did not know them in English.
Luda helped and I also knew pizza.
Once,about 15 years ago, we went out in Moscow to test a pizza for taste .
That was the first time in my life when We got to the pizza-restaurant and the waitress brought
us the menu.She brought the menu languidly and solemnly,
The were several kinds of pizza. But we had no idea what is pizza at all!
We asked her to explain to us what were the types of pizza Very politely, but heard “fi“ in reply
Then to relieve the tension, I asked about the presence of a
corsican Vendetta in the restaurant and while she went to find, we laughed bit.
Pizza was brought to us as big as a bicycle wheel and we could not finish it.We could eat only half.So, the half which was left,We decided to finish eat
next morning.
We spoke to the waitress to put it in the refrigerator to finish it in the morning. Howevere she offered to put the pizza in the refrigerator in our room.
If there was no refrigerator in the room, we should tell reception about it and they would bring one!
The room was small.The conditions were almost Spartan. The TV was about two metres on diagonals, the bed for a game of hide-and-seek. If to hide behind
pillow and buried in a blanket , even the wife could not find you!
There was everything necessary for washing staff of a small army divisionin in the bathroom.
There were a small stock of coffee, tea, cookies, shampoosand so on of many different kinds. There was not a refrigerator , but there were some phones.
I called reception, "the refrigerator is not present!" In 5 minutes then have brought a refrigerator! Scott said, that they have brought one
because we are Russian. For an American they would not do that!
There were about 50 Channels on the TV, but having found "historical", I have looked a little . We were woken and brought to the airport in the morning.
It was about an hour before the flight and we ate hamburgers. We would fly on a DC-9 super 80, named simply Super. Before passage,
it was necessary to remove footwear and check it throu the X-ray system. Also, our hand luggage was inspected.
I asked them a standard question: ”tell me,if it happens so, that having inserted luggage here, we do not receive anything on an exit?” The staff laughed.
The American people, expecting to travel on the plane, chewed hamburgers and read the papers. The take-off was late.
My attention was taken by the crew walking nearby. The crew, consisted of two persons. The Captain who was about 50 years old and the co-pilot, a woman of
about 30,
blonde, tall and well byilt. I approached them and having introuduced myself, asked them why they were there and why not preparing for a start?
It turned out that they were flying as passangers on the jump seat system.I said that we had a girl on our crew too,
Possibly amoung, the first women in a modern history of Russia.
So the American co-pilot laughed in a very friendly way slapped me on the shoulder and asked if I take her with me?
I replied that of corse I would take her with me.Soon we were in the sky.
During the flight St.-Petersburg, Floridijsky,was on the left and everybody showed it to me . We spoke with jump-seat Captain all the flight,and Luda
looked out of the window.
The weather was good and all the Southern part of the United States was visible.Here I also asked about the Great event in history of all mankind,that
is September 11th,and the Captain brought me a heap of newspapers about this event.
William had not changed since we first met with him 5 years ago.We got into his jeep,which was named for some reason "Track" .
And here was America! The Speed was under 140 miles per hour and also was shown in kilometrs per hour.The roads, by the way,were very good,
as in parts of Russia.
The first stop was in Chapel-Hill where Wil lived with his wife Liza (Elizabeth) and two little boys, one of which,had just appeared, only
one month ago!
The dinner was unusual,everything was so friendly that I had the impression that we had known each other for a 100 years!
They lived in the three-storied house, a palace, by my expenence.The wood was sarounding it and
the simmilar nearest house , approximately,
100 metres away. Squirrels jumped in woods,the Katerpiller hummed in thickets ,pulling out stubs and trees
preparing a new place for the next house.
We were photographed before departure. Unfortunately
my favourite camera had broken. Will immedeatly presented me
absolutely new one, almost the same as mine!
We rushed of again on the highway and reached Scott's place in an hour.The house of Scott, was in the suburb of
Charlotta, in the best part of a city. - Down Town.
The house was three-storyed and decorated in honour of Christmas with garlands and lights.
All Scott's family met us. The meeting was very warm included Scott,his wife Geil, Scott's Mum
Pamela, Geil's Mum Joan, two children of Scott's - Harison, and the young Madison and at lastly William.
We had just a little time to wash our hands and immediately proceeded to a table,wich was fool of wines and food.
Ofcorse,we spoke murch, but also had the time to eat.
There was no restraint,but kindliness and warm feelings could have filled the hall!
By the way, Harison was named in honour of Harison Salisbury which, according to Scott's opinion, had
written the best book about Blockade of Leningrad -"900 days”.
Harrison was 4 year old at that time. Madison was younger.She was only 3. And she and I were born
on the same day! She was born, in 55 years after the Victory Parade on the Red Square! Harrison tailed after me
and Madison after Luda. It was very surprising, but I think, that was the result of
hearing about us - the big friends from far Russia.
Pamela occupied a high position in the Government of the city of Charlotta. Charlotta and
Voronezh are sister-cities and when was 300 years of our Fleet , Pamela, passing St. Petersberg,visiting us,visited
Voronezh and Scott bit elbows, as he wished he were in the city he loved and to saw us!
Scott took days off and for the first 3 days, we only traveled around Sharlotte,two parties in our honour and
visiting friends of Scott. We also and also we went to Pamela's house.
I suggested I pay for a flight in Charlotte because it was very expensive but every time,
Scott refused, and, at last,he told me, that I should not speak about it,as that was a gift to us .
Charlotta was not such big city, but it has the second largest bank in the USA.
About a half-million of people live there.
I did not meet any a obese people there,no any vagabonds.
Everybody were smiling and if the got as close as 2 metres started to apologise - Sorry Sir!
My boots, which had thel soile on which there was Russian dirt had by the end
of the first day became as if I had just taken them out of the shoe box !It is clear now, why
Americans,do not need to take off their boots when entering the house.
I did not see any transport there because everybody used cars. There was only one tram in the town,
only for tourists and fans of exotic travel
In the centre, there were a pair of skyscrapers and some big buildings,which were official premises,
banks and shops.
The people lived far away from the centre.The most prestigious, expensive places were in Down Town.
In the morning, after breakfast,Pamela arrived and took us away to a Christmas concert.Nobody
protected her and people approached and greeted her .Almost everybody knew her in the town!
This very sincere relationship with everyone made me admire her.
We were in her house in the evening. There was me,Luda, Scott and Gail, and children and Will.
Luda, Scott and Gail, and children and Will.
Pamela leaveved with two dogs in the
huge house, which was a 10 minutes drive from the house of Scott.We joined her and Pamela prepared some
tasty things and we very slowly drunk the Californian wine. By the way, the Soviet semisweet
champagne was drunk too and Pamela loved it.
The two dogs sat down near Luda,and rested their heads on her knees. It is necessary to say,
that the dogs were very well brought up and behaved very intelligently. One, I have accedntally hit on the paw,
but she somehow just sadly looked at me, and told me nothing and I stroked her and this small incident
was settled.
In general,even dogs consered us very close friends, And even Scott and Pamela notieced it!
We sat talking and laughing.
Pamela spoke absolutely classically.Her speech was slow and clear.
Scott,for example, speaking with me, did not use any words which would not be clear for me but
when he spoke with Will, I did not understand half of it! In general, classical English is spoken only in
Downing Street.in the USA, in the north of the country,English sounds,very English,but
to the south English sounds worse. But I think, that quality of English, depends on education of a
person.
The interest was huge and warm about our country. In our honour a party "Russian day" had been arranged.
Scott and Luda prepared Russian dishes. Everybody prepared something Russian for this party.
All Scott's friends approached and asked about us. One young Lady approached me and almost
secretly told me: you know, and I am a little bit Russian too. My great-grandmother was born in Odessa!
Will was going to leave this day. It was 11 o'clock at night, and I began to persuade Will to remain, but
Will was relentless, we would soon meet and it was nessary for him to be at home. Will jumped in
his track and left.We had a little more fun and than went to sleep in our rooms.
I woke up early and went to watch the latest news in the hall.Everybody still slept.That was December 14th and on this day Saddam Hussein was caught .
Approximately an hour later I heard crying from the upper store where Scott and Gail lived. My heart felt down.The first thought was for Will
maybe had happened to him.But there was nothing wrong with Will.That was joyful news of the capture of Hussein.America rejoiced!
On December, 15th we together with Scott went on Kitti-Hauk. It was warm, near +15c and the mood was good. Even the constant calls from legal firm to Scott
could not spoil it.
Even an absence of a hotel accommodation could not spoil it.I did not realise even then,what that event meant for the United States.
The tickets for Kitty-Hawk
were presented to us by Pamela.I was absolutely quiet.
After the phone call my very reserved friend was suddenly very exated,stopped the car and exclaimed 3time: Unbelievable! Unbelievable! Unbelievable!
It's seemed that Gail had found on the Internet a hotel for us.10 minutes walking from the monument on the field, where the Wright Brothers had made the
first flight 100 years ago!
We followed on the East and already in pair hours arrived in Chapel-Hill where we were already waited by Will and his wife Liza and children.
The dinner combined with a supper and ended in the night. After that Will showed us his Supercomputer and his favourite game “Stalingrad”.After that
we dispersed rooms and laid down for sleep, Will continued to beat fascist invaders antill 4 o'clock in the morning!
It was a silent and sunny morning December 16th, 2003.At 9 o'clock in the morning We were already in the car and continued to move east. The
breakfast was in a small bar on a way.
The breakfast consisted of a the cup of coffee, which was prepared, probably,as well as
the coffee in the USSR on the railstations in ancient times.
And this coffee liquid, bore a strong resemblance of liquid which was served on the railways,
a coffee liquid on the price of 17 copecks in the prices of the USSR.
A sandwich of a good quality,a roll with meat and salad compensated for the lack of good coffee.
We had gone already for about two hours, and from the long talks my tongue could hardly move.
There was a forest On the right but on the left the home of malicious snakes
and huge alligators.There were huge eagles flying above very often.They can be even bigger,
as Will explanied, but even this had made a great impression on me.Will was most impressed by the pink flamingos.
We went on the island over a very long bridge.
The island extended from the North to the South,located on the East coast of the USA.
We stoped as it was Lunch Time. The fish restaurant was full of visitors, but there were
places for us.
Ordinary people eat ordinary seafood and the Governor of Northern Carolina liked to eat fish too.
Scott ushered me forward,as he opened the door and proclaimed:
- The Russian airman had arrived with us for a holiday!
I remember, that the Governor approached me and presented a badge of the plane of the
Wright Brothers,with warm words and than we sat down at a table.The menu was given
to us Quickly.
I as always had no concept,of what was there ,therefore I asked Scott to order
something tasty. Scott ordered for us three different dishes and these huge dishes were
eatten by all in turn.That was very tasty and democratic!
3 elder Americans sat next of us, at alittle table. One of them, was a pilot!
He tald us that he had 13 thousand hours and had passed 3 wars: 2nd World, Korean and Vietnam.
During the 2nd World War he had landed on a Russian airfield in the Far East. He thought that Russian fellows
are wounderful!!!
And he showed us his big fingers on both hands.We toasted the heroes of that War!
Everything was eaten and we went on to the North - Kitty Hawk.
The road was in the middle of the island.There was Oceanic water around it with the Atlantic Ocean to the right
the left.Atlantic Ocean was on the right side
and the gulf on the left ,We were on the place in 20-30 minutes.
Our things were delivered to our hotel rooms, but we went to the Memorial.It was only 10 minutes walk!
That was closest hotel to the place!Thanks to Gayl!
It was warm, approximately +15C and we were dressed easily.
The memorial was a column from stones and about 30
metres high .Originaly it was wooden and in 1924 had been reconstructed. On the monument was an inscription:
Wilbur
Wright
Orville
Wright
Inside there were pictures and personal photos of those who had glorified aircraft and space.The were 2 Russians. Igor Sikorsky and Yury Gagarin.
The monument of Wright Brothers flying mashin was at the foot of the hll of the Memorial.
The first their flying device was similar.It was consisting of two wings and the self-made motor by capacity of 12 horsepowers.Blades
rotated by means of the bicycle chain going from the motor to a two blade propeller.The motor was gathered by brothers!The principle of balance
used by the brothers was the most important.
In the winter, on the island blew strong winds,therefore that place had been chosen on purpose.So, on December 17th, 1903 The Brothers managed to make
the first flight. The first flight lasted for 12 seconds and it was flown 120 feet, or approximately 40 metres!
In general, it was a small jump,but opened a new era!That kind of plane could not fly well and there were two main reasons.The first one was
that the centre of gravity was too far back and secondly that the motor was not powerful enough.
In later times having moved the centre of gravity forward to normal and having put in a motor of 36 horsepowers, the airplane successfully managed
to do some flying.
The fact remains we were there exactly 100 years and one day after events described by me.
On December 17 ,1903. The morning was gloomy and cold. Gusty wind from the Ocean was whistling wistfully throgh gaps the shed made of planks in which
Wilbur and Orwille will finishing the last preparations of their winged machine.The brothers opened wide the doors of the shed.The sand was ploughed up
from the sandy sword.
At first they shut the doors to warm themselves by the brazier, because the wind was too strong. However Brothers wanted to test there creature as soon
as possible. Orwill after giving a look at his elder brother read consent in his eyes. Then he pulled a cord and raised a small flag on a high pole
over the shed. In the distance on a sandy dune a rescue station was placed.There their helpers waved their hands in response to the brothers.
Without waiting for the helpers the Brothers dragged their airplane out of the shed.
It was a prearranged signal. Five sailors and old sea-dogs woke from winter idleness to examin
Near the shed rose a wooden tower from wich Wilbur and Orwill laid a wooden rail length of about 40 meters. Helpers did not understand at once for what
purpose it was done.But the brothers laid a two wheeled truck on the bicycle hubs on which the plane was installed.
Then Willbur together, with his helpers, raised at the top of the tower a rather heavy load on a block.
The most quick witted sailors understood that this contraption resembled a catapult and it is necessary for taking off.The plane had no wheels and for
landing, as on the former gliders only wooden runners which were adjusted from below.
The Brothers stopped near the airplane.
It was 10.30 A.M.
They bouth wanted to fly first. Reasonable and calm Wilbur took the coin and asked “head or tails” “ head!”- Orville cried.
The coin was tossed in the air and fell down on the palm.-“Heads!” Orwil 32yeas-old jumped like a boy and climb happely onto the plane. Willbur helped to start and
the motor was warmed. Orville lay near the roaring motor in the pilot cradle and tested the control levels.
Senior Wilbur has held onto the wing edge, as it in rased to a horizontal position, feeling as the enjene turns increased the shiver from the plane as it
felt the power.
At last Orville seatted in the pilot's place lifted up his hand. That was the signal «It's ready to fly». Then his big brother pressed the brake lever.
Cargo on the tower had broken from a stopper and blocks had begun to crack. The airplane together with the cart got under way and was speeding up.
Wilbur having run some steps, let go of the wing.The seamen watched with intense
iterest at the running start and were watching the airplane have come off the cart and soared up into the air.It flied uncertainly, as if it was a baby bird
dropped out of a nest.IT soared up to three-four metres, falling raoidly to the earth. But it flew!
Recognising this miracle someone from among young seamen cried: «hurrah!»
Then airplane dropped it's nose and fell with the runners on sand. Wilbur had clicked a stop watch and looked at the dial.The Flight lasted twelve
seconds. Only twelve seconds!.
«... However,it is not very long, The Wright brothers wrote, - if compared to the flight of birds, but it was the first case in world history when a
machine bearing a person,with it's own force into the air, in free flight passed a known horizontal distance,not reducing the speed and
at last, got down on the earth without damages».
And though «the known distance» was equalled only to some thirty metres, the victorious way of flying devices has begun to materialise.
Now it was the turn of Wilbur. He flew hardly any longer and hardly any further.The brothers competed among themselves. By the third flight Orville had
already felt the ability to control the aiecraft.
«When I had flown about the same distance as Wilbur,on the left side struck a strong gust of a wind which has lifted up up the left wing and
has sharply thrown the plane to the right.I have immediately made a left bank to compensate it. Our surprise was that the left wing concerned
the land first.
That was great.It proved, that lateral management of this plane is much more effective, than it was on the previous flyght».
In the fourth flight Wilbur was in air of 59 seconds and covered the distance about three hundred metres.
The Wright brothers measured this distance by steps and remained happy. The workers at the life guard station who became witnesses of this historical
event, exulted together with the brothers. They helped to drag the plane back to the start. And while Orville and Wilbur shared the impressions of experience
suddenly there came from the Ocean a strong gust of the wind.It picked up an the airplane,begun to whirl it round over the land and threw it onto the sand.
All attempts to save the plane were in vain. The wind destroued the plane.
There were only a heap of fragments.
The sky has it's revenged to the people that they dared to intrude.
But Wright brothers appeared persistent.Having dragged the plane fragments into the shed, they begun to discuss the project of a new
more advanced airplane ”.
So,we were at this Historical place, on December, 16th 2003. Celebrating of this Great Event had begun on December 12th. All the hotels on the coast had
been sold out at
fabulously high prices 3 years before this Great event and if I had known that , i would never have dreamt of coming here.
(I simply would not have emagined I could do it and my conscience would not allow me to ask my friend about it!)
In the air,almost without interruption planes .Planes of type Â-1, Â-2 Stalls, F-15, F-22 Raptor, F-16.Three F-16 appeared and over the edge of the field
dispersed to the right and to the left, and the third by the candle pull up and, perhaps, it was most effective. F-16, have appeared in 1977 and on service
came in 80-th, and before it occurrence in the same almost time of ours ÌIG-29 and SU-27, I loved this plane most of all, for beauty of aerodynamics.
Only after years when the information about ours 29 and, especially SU-27 began to make the way, I have fallen in love with them.
We came up to the mount, where the Monument is established and went across the field where the first flight had been taken place.
Here was the first Memorial stone where the airplane after the first flight had landed. On a stone was written:
The end of the first flight
Time of 12 seconds
Distance of 120 feet
Dec. 17 1903
Pilot Orvill
Many people were around.There were flying planes in the sky,around the RW there were many planes on the grownd.You did not know where to look! Here,
ahead of the second memorial stone record of the termination of the second flight.
We were photographed again here.
I took pictures of everything with my camera.Scott and Will did the same.They were delighted too! Suddenly on the right, on the parking
stand I saw a Corsair F-4,the fighter of the Second World War.
and one of the American fighters with good aerodynamics and powerful engine.It othen happens when
Americans connects a very powerful engine with wings. My heart stood still.In a cabin a step-ladder a woman
of 50, in a leather flying jacket closed the access doors on the fuselage. Exuse me?, I asked,- is it possible to glance in a cabin. The woman,
seeing me, explained,that her father had flown this plane and I must understand, that it is a family relic,I departed respectfully.
-"Thanks for understanding", the woman said.
The anthem of the United States sounded,and everybody on the field stood to attention, having put the right hand on heart and having removed hats.
I did the same.
Super modern Boeing VC-22 stood at the very end of the field as well as most floridly painted Douglas-3. This Boeing looked as the plane, but its wings,
were turned to 90 degrees. and a huge helicopter screws looked in the sky. In some minutes screws have twirled, having kicked up dust, but having
nailed all attention of public to itselves. This surprising flying machine, has taken off vertically and, having turned wings,
having made a circle over a field,disappeared.
It was becoming dark, and we went to the hotel, on a way visjting a bar and drinking some beer.In the evening I invited my friends to the restaurant.
There were several people in the bar. All were pilots, and all had arrived from all corners of the United States and Canada for a holiday.
The time the flew like a meteorite quickly and brightly!It was time to go to the restorant but Will did not drink his the Ice-Tea yet.
Will did not drink alcohol at all, but ice- tea he drunk with out endless! While I and Scott changed our clothes in the hotel,Will has got acquainted
with a businessman who bought MIG-15 and flew it in his spare time! In general, in the USA they respect Russian MIGs and they are not alone.
I love Russian MIGs too!
By the way, our hotel accommodation had a huge window facing East,on to the Northern Atlantic. Certainly, it was not the season for bathing,
but I nevertheless decided to bathe.Even my friend Scott decided to join me ,but on the next day.
Howevere, we were at the therestaurant. While waiting for seats it was out of question what to drink-we drank "Stolichnay-Capital",but Will continued to
drink icetea and I started to worry about his health.At last, there were places in the restaurant, and we sat down.I asked Scott to choose
for me. I remember,that Scott recomended an animals leg. It was was tasty with a lot of meat on it.Scott introduced me to
a girl who arrived from Belarus. I think, that she simply worked, and our dialogue with her was very short.By the way,our supper
turned out not very expensive,looking at that was eaten and drunk, but I was surprised, that the price of our supper did not include the tax of the cost
of the supper or any tip to the waiter,in total 19 % more.
Concerning the tax, Scott and Will were puzzled.It apperars that the double taxation is another way to withdraw money from the population.
December, 17, 2003.
I wake up about at 7 o'clock next mornings. Through the open curtain,I saw that the sun was shining and the Ocean was sparcling.
It seemes that nature smiles on those coming on holiday.I smiled too.
Scott wake up very soon, but refused to come swiming,becouse time was too short and Will,in general,opened the door facing the West...
The sky was covered by clouds and it seemed, the rain was gathering in the west,over the field,where the first flight took place.We dressed warmly
and
went quickly to the Monument,having a cup of coffee with hamburgers which were bought on the way as we waked.
Some thousand of people gathered there or maybe more.Everybody waited when the helicopter of the President of the USA D.Bush would appear. The cloud ceiling was
very low and it was raining,and the gusty wind stopped any desire to go swimming.
The rain got worse. The leather jacket,becoming wet and water from my cap, dripped everywhere.
Some of the people had umbrellas. Scott, Will and I were without any.Our clothes became more and more soaced.
At about 9 o'clock two helicopters appeared and having made a circle,landed.
The run-way was to the west of us and went from the North to the South.
That part surrounded by trees.On that part of the run-way helicopters appeared.Loyal Americans started to shout ” the President, the President!!! ”,
But I was sure,that it was not the President's helicopters,more likly part of his team.
One more helicopter appeared two minutes later. That was the helicopter of Mr. Bush. There were huge screens set around the field on which it was
possible to see the President.All this was taking place about 1 kilometer from us to the North.
Mr. Bush started to speak,and everyone started to listen. His speach which was spoken good English, was that:
the small historic step acomplished 100 years ago opened a whole new epoch in history of mankind. This step was made by The American Wright Brothers.
The Governor of the Northern Carolina, with whom I had honour to get acquainted during our lunch spoke after the President.
Next the stage was taken by D.Travolta - the Great American actor and the pilot.
It was the shame, that at that time I could not recollect,who he was.This surprised
my friends Scott and Will. Travolta said how wounderful it is to fly and I totally agreed with him.Then, when my brains started to get tired of an
abundance of English,I felt unable to listen,anymore and looked around and took photographs.The Scott's camera stopped working due to being soaked by
the rain .
When Orville's great-grandson was pauing tribute,we departed to the Western part of the monument, and I plased at the foot of the
Monument of Orwille, the Russian Flag that I had beforehand. In the white part of our flag I wrote in English: ” Thanks from Russian airman.
11000 flying hours. Saint Petersburg ”, and Will photographed. The strong wind and a rain continually made my flag droop, but people came up and
lifted it up which was very touching!
My dream had come true! I was there 100 years, to the day, on that very same place where the new and fine era of flights was opened!
We were absolutly wet, but happy!. The replica,of that plane was expected to take off, but the announcer declared on radio, that the flight was delayed.
because of weather, and we went to the hotel.
-Do you know, what to do in such situations,so as not to catch a cold? - I asked Scott, sitting on the bed without wet clothes.
- We should drink a little bit of vodka -answered Scott.
Scott and Will had the foresite to bring an additional wardrobe and were by that time already dry and fresh.
They grasped my wet clothes,and left me in the room, for some minutes.
Returned with my dry clothes and with two glasses of vodka. Scott was very pleased! We were drunking so all together for our stay, but
Will drunk again an iced tea!
By then it was already about 1 o'clock, the rain was almost stopped so,We again went to the monument.the nomber of people was not reduced.
All of them waited patiently for the flight.
Pending this event, we went to where there were different planes parked.
We moved from the plane to the plane and I was happy.Suddenly, Scott stopped me.
The Great-grandson of Orville Wright was right infront of us!Scott introdused me to him and we were photografed with him.He signed his autograph for me:
”With the best regards” .
Next we came to an F-16 and after circling it several times I glanced in to the cabin and talked about the weather with the pilot.The weather was still
rainy and the flight was postponed antil 4 o'clock so, we went to souvenir shops.
I chose comerative t-shirts and a sweater from the souvenir stalls. The chosen sweater, in my opinion, was too large.
Iasked Scott what he thoght
“ It will shrink! ” - Scott replaid.
It was a long time antil 4 so, we went back to the hotel.
I tried on my purchase in the hotel and realised that this sweater would only reach the necessary size in the time of the sunset of capitalism!
To tell the truth, Will too assured me, that “ It will shrink! ”But I decided to change that sweater. Scott and Will had got tired,
and decided not to go by 4 o'clock. So, I went alone.
The weather was bad. The same wind blew, but the rain had stopped.The replica of The WRight brothers plane tried to take off at about 4 o'clock.
Having run on a wooden flooring and slightly jump off, the airplane was filled up from the gust of the wind on the right board. The pilot had not suffered.
…
I could not get a swetter in the right size so, I got my money back.
The memorable stamps were availiable in one of pavilions.I decided to have the stamp put in my flying licence which was wounderful!
That I was on December, 17, on Kitty Hawk ! I did it!
(It is only sad that I could fly less a year ,only 3 months,last 150 hours) …
The time was about 6 o'clock.The small shop was near the hotel.I had no souvenirs.Therefore, I dropped in.There were all sizes of commemorative
sweaters and I took a sweater smoller than the previous one.I tryed it on and it looked large.
I call the the seller to any aid. The seller,a young guy of 22, absolutely confidently looked at a sweater and told me:
“ It will shrink! ” I bought it. By the way, the sweater has had many washings, but is still slightly large.
We went to restaurant. It was decided to have a meal only. To tell the truth, Will
again began to drink Ice-Tea. We were served by a very lovely girl with very kind eyes …
And then I recollected, how in one year 97 or 98 Scott and Will arrived in Peter. I drove them everywhere, trying to show them the
maximum,in the minimum time. We had been to Isaak Cathedral and from there I showed them athor parts of the city.
But I noticed that during that time my friends kept looked at other things.
- How wounderful the girls are here!
- Geil and Liza are very lovely looking in the photos.
- Yes, agreed, but such as Gail and Liza it is necessary to search,but here they go everywhere and all of them are beautiful!
I reminded Scott of that conversation - “Look on that person how her eyes are so kind! ”
- I agree, speaks Scott, but in Russia the woman are better. Believe me!
Then I went to sleep but Will and Scott went to the cinema to see “ the Lord of Rings ”
December, 18. The sun shined brightly.Scott decided not to swim,but Will did accompany me.
It was cool although, the sun shone brightly,The temperature was about 10 degrees C, but the wind was 10-15 meters per second.The ocean was quiet,there
were not sharks .
I was in the Ocean and It was getting cold on my legs.Saddenly a new wave simply threw out me from the Ocean.However I had swum in the Nort Atlantic and
found it very cold.
Through Chapel-Hill where we said goodbye to Will and arrived at Charlotte.On the way, we stopped to have dinner.
Scott finished at the university in Chapel-Hill and we walked there before dinner.Will as always, ordered Ice-Tea,I have asked some coffee, and Scott-
Espresso.I asked for same better coffee.As a result, Scott was brought a small cup of coffee,and me too,with numerous assurances,
that they had tried their best.It was like coffe sold on the railway stations in the USSR.
Gail,Pamela and Luda were sitting on a sofa and children were playing around them.A very domestic picture! On the following, last day,we were going to
visit the shops.However Gail found an aviation museum at the airport, so Luda had to go with us and bring the children. Scott went to work,
Having learned that they had a visitor such as me The museum got one of thir employees named Rice,to show and tell me everything he knew.
However, in the beginning he asked me, why we had stolen and than copied their bomber B-29.
There was not a strategic bomber in the USSR in 1945. Americans had already dumped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.The post-war world
had already been divided by great powers and understanding,that Russians would already be impossible to stop in case of WW3 ,a wise Churchill had
already started to make plans for nuclear bombardments of the USSR.It had been counted even, that it would be kill 2000000 (2 million) Soviet people.
Therefore, slightly damaged B-29s 2 or even 3, which had landed on an emergency landing in the Far East,in the USSR had
been taken to Moscow,there they were thoroughly studied,drowings were created and one was constructed.
I answered Rice, that it was really necessary.If Churchill had not stated to bear the Gebels's idea of " Iron Curtain " in Fulton. It was a sad page
in our history.
We were allies in the war.Rice did not know how the USA helped us.I told him, that each 5 plane was
American, and totally was about 20 thousand. I sent him even the exact data.
- this is F-101, interceptor F-102 …, O, that is F-84 had been specially created for struggle against Russian bombers and Russian MIG-15.
F-84 was short down in Korea by Russian MIGs.
Rice did not know, that the F-84 had been created by Alexander Kartvely,a native from Tiflise(Tbilisi), and received education in Petersburg's
Technology University and after in France.
In the USA in 30ris there were united Petersburger Severskii,pilot, the hero of the First World War, Kartvely and Sikorsky.
- And the well-known Phantom.
I did not love Phantoms and said so.
- Why? - Rice was very surprised.
- Because they were in the Vietnam war, and when Vietnam wasunder attack,I did not like the USA.
- We communicated wonderfuly.I could see, that Rice loves aircraft very much. But it was cold for the children and I had to say good-by.
We had to go to the shops the rest of a day. All the goods, by the way, were from China, but of very high quality.
The prices were lower than in Russia.
In the evening all the family had gathered to say goodbye to us.Pamela said very simply: thank you, Aleksy, for yor comming.
It was very warm,we did not feel like strangers.
Luda and I have never forgotten these magic days which were spent with our friends.
I have remembered words from a film about Chkalov: … we brought friendship from great Russian People to great Americans!
Next day,in the morning, we were already were in Miami. The flight was in the evening, and we decided to have a little rest in the same hotel in which
we had spent the first night.
In our honour Russian flag had been rised, and the price for decreased for 4 dollars!Our room was on
5 floor, under the glide path.Double-glazed windows did not let in a sound so the jet liners silently flew over and the American Flag waved near by.
We were at home. Everybody asked us about my trip, and I with pleasure told about it .