Alexander Zuyev is former VVS pilot who escaped to Turkey with MiG-29 Fulcrum in late 80's. He wrote a book (obviously, more talanted than Mr. Belenko who defected a decade earlier to Japan with MiG-25 Foxbat) about his hard life in Soviet Union and his pilot days with Voenno-vozdusnye Sily (Russian air force). The book worth reading, but be worned: its is not a MiG-29 manual, neither it is a Soviet air force source book.

AUTHOR        Zuyev, Alexander.
 TITLE        Fulcrum : a top gun pilot's escape from the Soviet Empire /
              Alexander Zuyev with Malcolm McConnell.
 PUBLISH INFO New York : Warner Books, 1992.
 DESCRIPT'N   358 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
 SUBJECTS     Zuyev, Alexander.
              Fighter pilots --Soviet Union --Biography.
              Defectors --Soviet Union --Biography.
              MIG-29 (Jet fighter plane)
 ALT NAME     McConnell, Malcolm.
 LC NO        UG626.2.Z89 A3 1992.
 OCLC #       25709418.
 ISBN         0446516481

From: albert.dobyns@mwbbs.com (Albert Dobyns)

There is a 4-day aviation conference going on in Illinois, in fact it's about a 10 minute drive (non-rush hour) to the Hilton where it is being held. I didn't know about it until someone posted a note about it. I thought I would just mingle in hotel and see what was there. I think I was the only one not wearing a name tag thing. I had taken along an 8x10 photo I took of the SR-71 in the USAF museum. I asked someone working the front dest if the former Russian pilot, Alexander Zuyev, had arrived. The guy checked and said yes he is here. Then he asked me if I wanted him to call Mr. Zuyev and tell him about whatever it was I brought along. Of course I said yes. After a few moments I was talking with the former MiG-29 pilot! I explained what was in the envelope and he said he would come down receive it personally! Great, I said!! So in a few minutes (it seemed longer) I turned around and here was this guy wearing all black (but not a suit, just black shirt and pants). I was sure it was him and before I could say anything, he introduced himself. We shook hands and I gave him the stiff photo mailer. With a bit of effort he opened it up (I had closed the flap and the glue is very effective!). He knew what it was right away and I explained about me being a Blackbird nut. I also said I have wanted to meet a Russian or former Soviet pilot in person. We couldn't talk too long because he had to get ready for tonight's banquet. So I sort of rushed through a few comments: I read his book and was glad he made it out of the USSR, but it was a shame the plane had to be returned. I also asked him if his gunshot wound had healed. He seemed very pleased that someone would remember that and would ask about his health. We shook hands 2 or 3 more times and said goodbye. He looked like a very athletic person. Perhaps shorter than most American but very strong looking. Even his handshakes told me he was still in great shape.

At last I have met a Russian pilot. I have always wanted to meet a Russian pilot (civilian or military didn't matter to me). Unfortunately Mr. Zuyev and I didn't have a few hours to chat about aviation and other things. He did tell me that he got to sit in an SR-71 cockpit some time ago. I couldn't resist asking if he got to go on a flight in one but he said no they didn't let him do that. I was tempted to ask him if he spent any time in the SR-71 simulator but decided not to pry. I do not know what his status is as far as the military is concerned. I don't even know if he has any security clearance or what he kind of job he has. Maybe some time later he will write to me and give me an address I can send mail to him. Meeting Mr. Zuyev today has been one of the most exciting events I've had in a long, long time. (I guess that must sound pretty odd to most of you.)

[RAP comment: Albert is a SR-71 Blackbird historian. His knowledge about this aircraft is truly encyclopedic. One of his works is a list of Blackbird looses which appears now and then on the internet].

Air&Space; Smithonian features an article describing one of his lectures: From Russia with MiG.
This site features stories on both defectors.