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Roman Petrovich Taskaev, honored test pilot Talks About MC-21 Testing And Personal Journey
Oct 14, 2025
When we watch a plane take off, we rarely think about the years of work by engineers and the courage of those who first take the aircraft into the sky.Roman Petrovich Taskaev, honored test pilot and Hero of the Russian Federation, has flown a wide range of domestic aircraft: from the MiG-29 and Yak-130 to the latest MC-21. His career includes flights at the edge of aircraft capabilities, rescued planes, and records that have gone down in aviation history. Today, Roman Petrovich turns 71, and he is still flying with the same confidence and passion for aviation. In this interview, he shares his unique experiences and insights into aviation.In this episode:
• First steps in aviation and first flight
• Testing of the MC-21 and safety considerations
• The future of Russian aviation
• Pre-flight traditions, fears, and family supportOur team got the rare opportunity to visit the “holy of holies” — the crew rest room. Every answer from Taskaev is a story of a man dedicated to making the sky safer.
#RomanTaskaev #HeroOfRussia #TestPilot #Aviation #MC21 #MiG29 #Yak130 #RussianAviation #PilotLife #FlightSafety #AviationHistory #AviationRecords #AirForce #Equarta #AviationInterview
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0:00
When you look at a plane taking off, you
0:02
rarely think about the fact that behind
0:04
its safety are years of work, engineers,
0:07
and the courage of those who first
0:09
lifted the car into the sky with you
0:11
Sasha small. And today we are talking
0:14
with Roman Petrovvic Tosskay pilot
0:17
tester hero of Russia behind whose
0:20
shoulders the testing of a whole galaxy
0:22
of domestic aircraft from the Mig 29 Yak
0:26
130 to the newest MC21 where the safety
0:30
of critical systems worked including CH
0:33
nervous campaign and quart in his career
0:36
of flying at the limit of the
0:37
possibilities of technology saved cars
0:40
and records that forever went down in
0:43
the history of aviation. Today we want
0:45
to hear his view of the profession, the
0:47
sky and the future. AAS, hello Roman
0:50
Petrovich. Hello Roman Petrovich. Tell
0:52
me why you chose aviation. Why did you
0:55
choose this path for yourself?
0:57
Apparently
1:00
education beginning at home and school
1:02
nurtured a profound love for aviation
1:05
and learning.
1:08
Although unfamiliar with this profession
1:11
initially, an intense passion drove me
1:13
towards it.
1:17
Being in aviation back in school years,
1:19
well, probably the first impulse was
1:22
this visit to the Chinsky Flying Club.
1:24
That's where it kind of started
1:29
as it were.
1:32
The path wasn't straightforward. It was
1:34
hobbies as you suggested that eventually
1:37
guided me. Yes, indeed. The flying club
1:40
played a pivotal role.
1:42
Do you remember your first flight? What
1:43
emotions did you have?
1:45
Two memorable first flights stand out.
1:48
One was at the flying club in a glider
1:51
vividly etched in memory where
1:53
instructor Alexanderich Mccriakov guided
1:56
me.
1:59
That's when my journey into aviation
2:01
truly began with the instructor on the
2:04
Primorites glider. I recall each flight
2:07
vividly.
2:08
You piloted the glider directly, not as
2:10
a passenger, but as someone in control
2:12
stepping into the role of a pilot.
2:13
There are no passengers there. There are
2:15
two chairs there. A cadet sits in front.
2:18
An instructor sits in the back.
2:21
Were they winching us up high?
2:23
Approximately 250 300 m. There we flew
2:28
in circles. It was already kind of
2:30
interesting. It was already purely like
2:33
male interest and two one flight of
2:35
course in school.
2:37
We started flying in the first year. So
2:41
in the first year at the Karkov
2:43
investment school of pilots on the L29
2:46
aircraft. There is also something
2:48
memorable here.
2:51
Flight. Why did you choose the path of a
2:54
test pilot and not a pilot for example
2:56
of civil aircraft?
2:59
Well, Putin made his choice at 14 to 15.
3:02
Similarly, mine happened as a boy.
3:07
Uh, difficult because we I had no idea
3:10
what it was like to be a civil aviation
3:12
pilot there. I had no idea that there
3:15
were combat aviation pilots there. And
3:17
when
3:20
did you finish school? Yes, of course.
3:23
Deciding on aviation was clear though
3:25
the specific school choice wasn't
3:30
the dilemma was so big and
3:34
one such obstacle I had was the lack of
3:37
yet the required age for admission.
3:42
Yes, I had to be 17 years old. I was not
3:44
yet 17 years old
3:47
years and I sent several requests to
3:50
different schools. Well, where will they
3:52
answer from? There were some schools in
3:55
Sizan, Saratov and helicopter and
3:58
transport aviation,
4:01
Karkov and also Churnney fighter school.
4:05
The answer came first from the Karkov
4:07
school. So the lot fell. I sent the
4:10
documents to the Karkov school in which
4:12
they said, "Come on, come on. We'll
4:14
figure it out."
4:18
The team of the engineering company
4:20
Quarta includes engineers who took part
4:22
in the development
4:24
safety assessments of many critical
4:26
systems of the MC21 aircraft both in its
4:30
primary configuration and in import
4:32
substituted.
4:34
Naturally, we followed its first flight
4:36
with special attention and know that it
4:38
was you who piloted it.
4:42
Could you share details about this
4:44
flight and plane?
4:47
Are there any features it has that allow
4:50
the pilot to feel more confident or safe
4:52
maybe?
4:54
Well, first of all, I would like to say
4:56
that the plane
4:59
I didn't pilot alone. We had a crew
5:02
which means Ole Golgovich Kinanenko my
5:05
comrade and I we completed this one
5:08
flight. Well, that's in terms of
5:09
chronology correctness. Uh-huh.
5:14
Here he was the commander. I was on the
5:16
right. Well, in the process of flight
5:18
test, the approach to the aircraft and
5:21
its characteristics. Well,
5:28
uh we have it a little dictated
5:30
sometimes personal as if requirements.
5:33
Initially the aircraft itself was made
5:36
uh taking into account imported
5:39
components and it already has a
5:40
certificate. One of the cars here is
5:43
flying right now
5:48
in this person. Well the 310 car is
5:51
almost approaching. This is to 100%
5:54
replacement of these onboard items. And
5:57
on this path of course difficulties
6:00
arise in connection with the fact that I
6:02
said this first of all
6:05
the people and the lack of technology
6:07
that we have lost over the years are
6:09
involved with missing parts
6:12
but the iron into which we put these
6:15
spare parts I can
6:20
we must ensure that future generations
6:22
follow the same vision and path
6:26
you won't have to blush for this that is
6:28
here.
6:29
The inspection was carried out so
6:31
seriously and I I myself went through
6:34
all these stages that I can assure you
6:37
that everything will be calm and I
6:39
myself will fly it with pleasure. In
6:42
principle I'm kind of a fighter by
6:44
nature. Uhhuh. And here I am testing a
6:47
civilian aircraft from scratch. I just
6:50
started studying at MS. It turned out
6:53
that this job too.
6:55
Very very interesting. and many modes
6:57
like flutter. Yes, for the first time I
7:01
saw the method of performing them. I sat
7:03
on a plane. How does this all happen?
7:06
Yes, this is exciting for testing. But
7:09
at the same time, after processing all
7:11
the materials, we adjust to the fact
7:13
that we have chosen the right design. We
7:16
chose the right approach to aircraft
7:19
design.
7:20
Well, great. We believe in the future.
7:23
Russian aviation. What vision do you
7:25
hold for its evolution and progression?
7:28
The future of aviation.
7:32
Well, in principle, we now seem to
7:34
understand that more attention has begun
7:37
to be paid to the development of
7:39
aviation.
7:42
The future likely holds innovations such
7:44
as enhanced aircraft, engines, and
7:47
systems designed to boost safety
7:49
measures.
7:54
The economy of this takes time. Uh-huh.
7:57
This highlights the security we are
7:59
actively prioritizing and delivering
8:03
with advancements in materials, cutting
8:05
edge technology and the utilization of
8:08
artificial intelligence. The industry
8:11
awaits further transformation.
8:13
Enhanced computing power has
8:16
significantly influenced aviation as
8:19
evidenced by past milestones and
8:21
developments.
8:27
We had mostly analog devices. Yeah,
8:30
there was no such understanding of
8:32
programming. Thematic support is now all
8:35
in progress. Any child walks with a
8:37
phone in which I think all this is
8:39
stuffed and it also begins to live on
8:41
the plane.
8:46
quite tightly. Of course, we have some
8:48
hiccups with the fact that we are our
8:50
children, our younger generation.
8:53
Did they start to attract everything to
8:56
this programming? Well, it's a little
8:58
late for that.
9:03
As usual with us,
9:06
those who think yes went either into
9:08
commerce or into hackers or something.
9:11
And it was somewhat difficult to lure
9:13
here because the aircraft industry
9:15
practically lay down. But now the
9:17
situation is changing. And I think we
9:19
are
9:22
all these technologies will catch up and
9:24
the leadership we had before. Of course,
9:27
we'll bring him back.
9:30
Yeah. That is we will revive and return
9:32
to the origins and go even further.
9:35
Of course,
9:37
again. Yes, it requires it. The time for
9:40
this requires the development of both
9:42
aviation culture and the aviation
9:44
industry. Right?
10:01
We moved to the flight crew lounge.
10:03
Roman Petrovich, tell me what kind of
10:06
place this is. How do you spend your
10:08
time here and when?
10:10
Well, first of all, we're at the flight
10:12
test complex.
10:16
We're conducting various flight tests at
10:18
this location.
10:20
This room is our rest room in which we
10:22
rest either before the flight or after
10:25
the flight depending on what flights go
10:28
here. We have
10:31
this is the place for flight
10:33
preparation, task coordination and
10:35
briefing. This entire floor is reserved
10:38
for us and we reside here.
10:42
Could you share any traditions related
10:44
to pre-flight preparations? Perhaps even
10:46
symbolic gestures.
10:48
Well, let's say in principle for the
10:51
pilot, well, there are documents signing
10:54
there that talk about the need to go
10:56
around the plane, look at it, look
10:58
there, look uh is the integrity of
11:01
something leaking out there.
11:04
A variety of activities are involved,
11:06
each significant in its own way.
11:10
Others prioritize our welfare even more
11:12
than we do ourselves, leading us to
11:15
trust them completely. Visiting the
11:17
aircraft as part of this tradition is
11:19
common place. Pilots often maintain
11:22
rituals like touching the fuselage or
11:25
wing, showing respect for these customs
11:28
without fail.
11:30
Sometimes names are given to aircraft.
11:32
Do you follow this practice?
11:34
No, we primarily rely on board numbers
11:36
to identify the planes.
11:39
Can you share how your family feels
11:41
about your job and how they support or
11:44
worry about you?
11:46
I can tell you one case about these
11:48
experiences.
11:52
Did this actually occur?
11:57
I began flying for OKB mikcoyan after
12:00
finishing flight school.
12:03
On my seventh flight with Alexander
12:06
Vasilovich Federov, we had to eject
12:09
during acceleration. It was about 100
12:12
kilometers m away in the forest
12:18
here.
12:21
Well, how was it all? This is already
12:22
two questions, but
12:26
catapult this is known here at the
12:28
airport.
12:32
As the saying goes, you can't hide a
12:35
needle in a bag. News about our
12:37
rejection reached the dormatory where
12:40
our family stayed. Back then, none of us
12:42
had apartments. The phone call brought
12:45
the opposite situation.
12:52
And the girls of our pilot's wives are
12:54
getting ready quickly. This was found
12:56
out discussed and is going to go report
12:59
mine
13:02
which is so and so and at this time it
13:04
means that he is my comrade Suja
13:06
Tresetski.
13:11
He heard all this and he understands
13:13
that well until they find us, until we
13:15
are brought there, in what condition
13:18
should the person be fiddled with? Then
13:19
he also talks about the girl. Well, come
13:22
in. They take this very thing into their
13:25
apartment. He says, "So I'll tell you
13:27
now. Yes, they all went there." He locks
13:30
it on the key. When they bring it, then
13:33
I'll release it.
13:36
This is amazing. How did your wife react
13:39
to the news that this had happened?
13:42
Well, what could she do? She'd already
13:44
endured the uncertainties of aviation
13:47
for a long time.
13:49
Roman Petrovich, as for you, in your
13:51
track record, there are many incredible
13:54
events, some of which you saved
13:56
equipment that was on the verge of
13:58
destruction. In particular, the Mega T,
14:01
which you landed with a destroyed tail
14:03
plumage, was ejected twice. You told us
14:07
about one case and there is another one
14:09
we know. Have you ever been really
14:11
scared?
14:13
What guides your decision making in
14:15
those moments? How do fear and duty
14:18
interact?
14:19
To be honest, I don't think about my
14:21
fears because this work is going on. The
14:24
work is just the way we were preparing.
14:26
That is
14:30
uh when working out tasks there we
14:32
always work out options for some
14:34
failures or something and cultivate it
14:36
as it were during preparation.
14:40
It turns out that the key criterion is
14:42
that you are already prepared in advance
14:44
for what may happen. Yes, events and you
14:47
understand how to act in this and
14:49
therefore there is no such fear.
14:52
Well, yes. This is probably the
14:54
difference between flight test activity
14:56
and the work of a combat pilot.
15:02
There I prepare specifically for combat
15:04
operations. I am taught and supported my
15:07
skills in combat use.
15:13
In terms of goals, that's it. I
15:16
diligently do it there and don't think
15:18
about the fact that on the plane I might
15:20
refuse something there or something
15:22
although we are kind of ready for it.
15:25
However, such possibilities aren't the
15:27
core focus. The work itself remains
15:28
paramount.
15:31
Hitting the target is in the work of
15:33
test pilots. We always need to be ready
15:36
for some emergency situation from which
15:39
I definitely need to get out.
15:43
No matter how challenging it gets, I
15:45
must overcome obstacles and return the
15:48
aircraft to operational condition.
15:54
Very intriguing to hear your
15:55
perspective, I must admit.
15:58
many
15:59
after your words they will even more
16:02
want to dedicate themselves to heaven.
16:05
That's for you to say to those people
16:07
maybe students or for now maybe even
16:09
children or their parents of children
16:11
who want to dedicate themselves to
16:13
heaven
16:14
to begin with. If you have this
16:16
aspiration you must make efforts to
16:18
realize it to achieve this. Specify the
16:22
route you need to follow and stick to it
16:24
with determination.
16:28
As they say, all dreams come true.
16:30
Thank you very much, Roman Petrovich,
16:32
for the conversation. Thank you for your
16:33
work.
16:35
We have a little present for you. Right.
16:39
We are aware of your evaluation of the
16:41
MIG 29. Surprisingly, we came across the
16:45
MIG 35, which is a reconfiguration of
16:48
MIG 29. And here's a fascinating
16:50
representation of Offford's artistic
16:53
metal work on the MIG 35.
16:57
You didn't tell me.
17:01
Well, at least that's what I was
17:02
instructed to do in general for memory.
17:08
Regarding today, our interview
17:10
conversation, the specifics about our
17:12
company and myself. This is meant for
17:14
you.
17:15
Thank you very much. I really appreciate
17:17
it. Yes. Come on.
17:19
Come on.
17:20
I'll look.
17:21
Let's try this discovery.
17:27
Very cool.
17:30
Thank you very much.
17:32
Yes, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Let me
17:34
hand it over to you. It's entirely yours
17:36
now.
17:37
Thank you,
17:39
dear viewers. Thank you for being with
17:41
us before we meet in new interviews. You
17:43
yourself were Sasha Malik. Bye-bye.
17:50
In practically every interview you
17:52
conduct with us, your observations bring
17:54
new insights.
17:57
Here are the pilots you're filming, and
17:59
we seem like solitary bubbles rising
18:02
quietly from a tranquil swamp, don't we?
18:06
We are deeply committed to educating and
18:08
shaping someone's future with care and
18:10
diligence.
18:11
And that illustrates why we must
18:13
consistently ensure one of the questions
18:16
is addressed with focus and precision
18:19
about ours.
18:22
Mentors of our instructors are comrades.
18:25
The scheme works because this is how the
18:28
interview goes goes goes and not always.
18:31
There is a place in the interview to say
18:34
why did I do this? Yes.
18:37
Roman Petrovich, can you share why this
18:39
came to be?
18:40
If you could. Yes, elaborate here.
18:43
Naturally, we begin traditionally
18:45
reflecting on family upbringing.
18:49
Parents and siblings create an
18:51
environment where one learns
18:53
foundational knowledge about the world.
19:00
No matter how justice does not always
19:02
exist and even there you have to defend
19:03
with your fists
19:06
himself.
19:09
And already as a pilot of formation,
19:12
this is in this album. You can see the
19:14
instructors there who taught me to fly.
19:17
This is our entire guard. This is the
19:19
third year. I am very grateful to the
19:22
instructors who
19:25
they believed in me and gave me the
19:27
opportunity to fulfill my dream. This is
19:30
already the fourth year of Pascal.
19:33
Vladimir Ivanovich is a very good
19:35
person.
19:40
He trained me on a combat aircraft,
19:42
mastering complex techniques,
19:45
all the elements. Well, here are our
19:47
cadets, friends, and comrades.
19:50
Here he explains how to go to the
19:52
landing. This is already the unit
19:54
commander. The exams are already
19:56
starting here.
19:59
Big bosses asked me how I reached this
20:01
point in life. Well, let me tell you the
20:03
full story behind it.
20:06
elements already
20:09
start exams with you.
20:12
Graduation. Yes.
20:13
Yes.
20:15
And
20:19
end of school.
20:23
Stylized in this manner. Let me
20:25
introduce my first commanderin-chief in
20:27
the VS, the esteemed Pavl Steanovich
20:30
Kutakov.
20:33
He passed and did not shy away from
20:35
communicating with the pilots. That's
20:36
it.