Russian-Armenian test pilot Ruben Yesayan dies at 78

Ruben Yesayan, a celebrated Russian-Armenian test pilot and Hero of Russia, has died aged 78 after a long illness, the Union of Armenians in Russia (UAR) reported on Saturday.

Yesayan, a graduate of the Sasovo Flight School, Leningrad Academy of Civil Aviation and the Soviet Ministry of Aviation Test Pilot School, served in the Armenian SSR’s civil aviation administration and flew missions to conflict zones in Angola during its civil war.

He joined the State Scientific Research Institute of Civil Aviation (GosNII GA) in 1986, testing aircraft, including the Tu-334, Tu-154, Il-76MF, Il-96, Il-114 and the Beriev Be-200 amphibious plane, on which he set five world aviation records. He completed more than 80 flights to Antarctica.

Yesayan retired from test flying in 2014 after a notable Tu-154M landing on a shortened runway at the former Samara airport. He later served in GosNII GA’s management until his retirement.