Nikolai Alexeyevich Kuznetsov - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Early life

Nikolai Alexeyevich Kuznetsov was born on December 19, 1922 in the village of Baytugan, Nurinskiy district, Karaganda

Karaganda

Karagandy , more commonly known by its Russian name Karaganda, , is the capital of Karagandy Province in Kazakhstan. It is the fourth most populous city in Kazakhstan, behind Almaty , Astana and Shymkent, with a population of 471,800 . In the 1940s up to 70% of the city's inhabitants were ethnic...

region of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. His father, Alexey, died when Nikolai was thirteen. Nikolay had to work hard to help his mother Alexandra with the sowing, harvesting, courtship of livestock, and caring for the rest of the family. His younger siblings are Anna, Maria, Marina, Katerina, Olga and Grigoriy. At the same time he studied well in high school. In one of his interviews with the newspaper "Evening Almaty", he said:

My family - simple rural workers formed my views, outlook, based on love and desire to work. All that stays with me through all my life. My parents taught me – You must work hard. Nothing in this life is given for granted. To achieve something you need to put all of yourself, you must put all your soul into it.

World War II

Since the beginning of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, Kuzntetsov served in the army. He graduated from the military school Selischenskaya as a pilot. From the beginning Nikolay was known as a manager and a teacher who had a high level of professionalism, and remarkable aviator skills. In 1943 Nikolay was appointed as an pilot-instructor in the Kurgan pilots flying school, where he was in charge of flight crews preparation for an active front-line activities. He did complete a number of dangerous strategic tasks, and participated in war battles. One such job was taken place in the city of Magnitogorsk

Magnitogorsk

Magnitogorsk is a mining and industrial city in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, located on the eastern side of the extreme southern extent of the Ural Mountains by the Ural River. Population: 418,545 ;...

. The mission was a combat operation to eliminate Otto Skorzeny

Otto Skorzeny

Otto Skorzeny was an SS-Obersturmbannführer in the German Waffen-SS during World War II. After fighting on the Eastern Front, he was chosen as the field commander to carry out the rescue mission that freed the deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini from captivity...

, and his division of Hitler’s army. The enemy’s plan was to destroy a steel factory, which produced weapons for the Soviet Union army, the largest at the time. The Skorzeny’s attempt failed because of the Soviet counterintelligence actions. Red Army

Red Army

The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...

units were able to destroy Nazi plans. Nikolay’s real war assignment mission was a success. After completion of his military service in 1947, he became a pilot in the Akmolinsk airport in Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. A year later he was promoted to the director of the airport.

Career

In 1963 Nikolay Kuznetsov was sent to the department of the Kazakh civil aviation in the position of deputy chief of the flight services. Seven years later in 1970 he became director of the department. Work experience in the Department of Civil Aviation

Civil aviation

Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...

of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...

was proof of his true human qualities, indomitable will, impeccable knowledge of the industry, and the ability to correctly assess the present and look to the future. One of the most essential and important his qualities was the ability to work with people and achieve high results.

In his new position he had to face many problems and overcome bureaucratic hurdles. The Civil Aviation

Civil aviation

of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

had a great development and a powerful qualitative leap forward during the time of his management

Management

Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...

. It became one of the most advanced sectors of the Kazakh economy, which was equipped with advanced aviation technology. By the early 1980s more than one hundred thousand kilometers of were air lines opened in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

. The capital of Kazakh SSR

Kazakh SSR

The Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Kazakh SSR for short, was one of republics that made up the Soviet Union.At in area, it was the second largest constituent republic in the USSR, after the Russian SFSR. Its capital was Alma-Ata . Today it is the independent state of...

Alma-Ata was linked to all the capitals of Soviet republics. Also, Alma-ata was linked with all regional centers of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

and various major cities and resort areas of the Soviet Union

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....

. More than fifty percent of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

's population each year used these air transport services of Aeroflot Soviet Airlines. Up to fifteen million hectares of farmland were served by agricultural special airplanes. Seventeen airports were built during this time, as well as ten airports having their own hotels. Even in small villages of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

people were able to purchase airflight tickets to any point of destination of the Soviet Union

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....

. The appearance of a new airplanes for civil and cargo usage such as models An-24, An-26, An-30, Il-18

IL-18

IL-18, IL 18 or IL18 may refer to:* Interleukin 18, a protein encoded in humans by the IL18 gene* Ilyushin Il-18, a Cold War–era Soviet airliner and military transport* Illinois's 18th congressional district...

, Il-62, Il-86, Tu-134, Tu-154, Yak-40, Mi-2

MI-2

MI-2 or Mi-2 can refer to:* Michigan's 2nd congressional district* Mil Mi-2, an armored helicopter* Mission: Impossible II* Anti-Mi-2 antibodies...

, and Mi-8

MI-8

MI-8 may refer to:* MI8, the WWII British signals intelligence agency* Mil Mi-8, the Soviet-designed helicopter* Mitten im 8en, an Austrian TV soap/comedy series* Black Chamber, the United States' first peacetime cryptanalytic organization...

required the presence of highly qualified crew, engineering, and dispatch teams. All pilots of large airplanes had higher education. One out of every seventh employee of the technical aviation base had engineering degree.
Under Kuznetsov’s leadership many professional aviators were trained, as well as flight operators, and other aviation related professionals. The Academy of Civil Aviation was founded in Alma-Ata. At the same time the Flight School was founded in Aktobe

Aktobe

Aktobe , formerly known as Aktyubinsk , is a city on the Ilek River in Kazakhstan. With a population of 277,700, it is the capital of Aktobe Province. Aktobe has a mixed ethnic community, including Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Uyghurs, Chechens, Armenians, Jews and Greeks...

. The Ministry of Civil Aviation of the USSR founded a flight operations school in Burunday

Burunday

-External links:*...

village. With the development of new aircrafts in Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports in Moscow

Moscow

Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...

the flight personnel of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

were predominantly selected.

Social Activity

Nikolay Kuznetsov faced the collapse of the USSR during his retirement. He had become an eyewitness to the destruction of the country and the severance of ties with other countries. During those years of crisis the aviation sector was affected greatly. Despite the unstable economic situation and uncertain future of the former Soviet Union

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....

, Kuznetsov with other talented organizers managed to create an airline Sayakhat. Kuznetsov was chairman of the company, and a member of board of directors. During this time he was elected as a member of the government nonprofit civil aviation veteran organization. In addition he was a member of the Advisory Board of the Department of Transprtation of Kazakhstan. Also he was involved in multiple social activities. He gave lectures in different Universities of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

. His lectures included patriotism and passion of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

.
Throughout his life Nikolay was always cheerful and optimistic, as well as full of creative ideas and initiatives. For his family, friends and colleagues, Kuznetsov was always reliable for support and help. Life of Nikolay Alexeyevich Kuznetsov was a true example of courage, selflessness, and a great service to his country.

Family

Antonina Dmitievna Kuznetsova (August 28, 1924 - November 25, 2008) was married to Nikolay Kuzentsov for over fifty years. Her family name is Bedanov. She was born in the Stavropol

Stavropol

-International relations:-Twin towns/sister cities:Stavropol is twinned with: Des Moines, United States Béziers, France Pazardzhik, Bulgaria-External links:* **...

region of Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

. In her early childhood she moved with her parents, and two younger sisters to Baku

Baku

Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...

, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...

. She graduated from the Medical Institute of Baku with a physician degree. In the 1940’s she was sent to work in Akmolinsk, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

as a general physician. There she met her future life partner and husband Nikolay. She continued her medical studies in Alma-ata where she became an OB/GYN doctor. Antonina and Nikolay settled in Alma-ata to raise two daughters, a grandson and two granddaughters.

Awards

Circa 1970s - Gold medal star “Hammer and Sickle

Hammer and sickle

The hammer and sickle is a part of communist symbolism and its usage indicates an association with Communism, a Communist party, or a Communist state. It features a hammer and a sickle overlapping each other. The two tools are symbols of the industrial proletariat and the peasantry; placing them...

”
On January 12, 1979 - the Order of Lenin

Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...

, the second gold medal star "Hammer and Sickle

Hammer and sickle

", and a bronze monument in his homeland by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet was a Soviet governmental institution – a permanent body of the Supreme Soviets . This body was of the all-Union level , as well as in all Soviet republics and autonomous republics...

.
In the 1980’s Kuznetsov was awarded the Council of Ministers of USSR, and he was elected as a deputy

Deputy (legislator)

A deputy is a legislator in many countries, particularly those with legislatures styled as a 'Chamber of Deputies' or 'National Assembly'.-List of countries:This is an list of countries using the term 'deputy' or one of its cognates....

of the Supreme Soviet

Supreme Soviet

The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union was the Supreme Soviet in the Soviet Union and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments...

of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

Books

"Helm and Course" - is the autobiographical book featuring the names of over three hundred people, such as Dinmukhamed Konayev, Leonid Brezhnev

Leonid Brezhnev

Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev – 10 November 1982) was the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union , presiding over the country from 1964 until his death in 1982. His eighteen-year term as General Secretary was second only to that of Joseph Stalin in...

, Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...

, Air Marshal Bugaev

Boris Pavlovich Bugaev

Boris Pavlovich Bugaev was a Soviet military pilot, politician and statesman....

, and many others.

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.