Stanislav Bliznyuk 

October 19, 2009 - Polet Airlines started accepting the third Il-96-400T 

Polet Airlines first cargo aircraft Il-96-400T named after Stanislav G. Bliznyuk, test-pilot, the Hero of the USSR.

After graduating from the high flying school of Civil Aviation, Stanislav Bliznyuk worked as a civil pilot and since 1965 he started a new stage in his life. He finished school for test pilots and got down to built his career in Experimental Design Office. During several decades, he tested different aircraft there.

Thus, in March 1968 Stanislav tested Il-20 aircraft and in a decade - Il-76M transport aircraft. In 1980s being an honored test-pilot, he was the first to operate Il-76K, Il-96-300 and Il-102 aircraft. In 1987 Bliznyuk became a senior test-pilot of the Experimental Design Office.

In 1990s Stanislav Bliznyuk operated new passenger aircraft:

April 1993 - Il-96MO

May 1997 - Il-96T and other types: Il-38, Il-62M, Il-70, Il-80, Il-86, Il-103, Il-114 and many others. One of his colleagues once noted: "Il and Bliznyuk are inseparable".

The biography of this incredible pilot is full of memorable facts. In 1975 he broke 21 (!) world speed records on Il-76 aircraft. He participated in firefighting operation in Vladivostok ammunition facility, in 1988-1991 he flew to Arctic and Antarctica operating this aircraft.

On February 5, 1990, for courage and heroism shown in the new aviation technique testing Stanislav Bliznyuk was honored the rank of the Hero of the USSR with a medal "Gold Star". In 2000 he awarded a State Prize of the Russian Federation and many other medals.