Nikiforov, Grigory Alexandrovich

Grigory Aleksandrovich Nikiforov was born on January 6, 1918 in the city of Kuznetsk (now the Penza region ). In 1940, he graduated from the Tambov Flight School, after which he worked as a pilot in the Civil Air Fleet. He participated in the battles of World War II, made 187 sorties. After the war, Nikiforov was transferred to the reserve, worked in civil aviation ^[1] .

In 1953, Nikiforov joined the State Research Institute of Civil Aviation, was a test pilot and senior test pilot. In 1960, he graduated from the Test Pilot School. He became one of the first pilots who mastered the Tu-104 aircraft, conducted many tests and studies on it. He also tested the Tu-104B , Tu-154 , Il-18 , and Il-62 aircraft . In total, during his work as a test pilot, Nikiforov flew over fifteen thousand hours ^[1] .

By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 15, 1971 for "outstanding achievements in fulfilling the tasks of the five-year plan for the transportation of passengers by air, the use of aviation in the national economy and the development of new aviation technology," Grigory Aleksandrovich Nikiforov was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor with the award of the Order Lenin and the "Hammer and Sickle" medals ^[1] .

Upon retiring, Nikiforov worked at DOSAAF, was engaged in hang gliding. He died on October 31, 2011, was buried at the Kalitnikovsky cemetery in Moscow ^[1] .

Honored Pilot of the USSR . He was also awarded two orders of Lenin, orders of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree, the Red Banner of Labor and the Red Star , a number of medals ^[1] .