1754

Michail Lomonosov designed and build self-propelled model of lifting airscrew. The purpose of the apparatus was to lift thermometers and other light scientific instruments into the air. It was claimed that Lomonosov built its screw in complete ignorance of Leonardo da Vinci's work.

1884

First flight by a steam-engine powered monoplane designed by Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaiski. Short distance and incline-assisted takeoff prevent it from being considered true powered flight.

1904

Nikolai Zhukovski, "Father" of Soviet aviation founds Europe's first institute of aerodynamics.

1910

Russian Imperial War Ministry establishes flying school at Gatchina.

1911

Boris Yuriev patents single main rotor - single tail anti-torque rotor layout for his next helicopter.

1913 (May 13)

First flight of the world's first four engine airplane The Russian Knight, affectionately called Le Grand, designed by Igor Sikorsky.

1913 (August 20)

Staff Capt. Peter Nesterov performs first inside loop in a Nieuport IV.

1914 (August 26)

First air battle of World War I on the Eastern Front. Staff Capt. Peter Nesterov records first aerial ramming in combat.

1921

The ANT-1 flies, the first of a record number of more than 100 aircraft designed by Andrei N. Tupolev.

1922

The Germans begin construction of a modern aircraft plant at Fili (near Moscow) under the provisions of the Treaty of Rapallo.

1926

The I-1 flies, the first Soviet-designed and -built fighter (Nikolai Polikarpov).

1934 (May 19)

First flight of the ANT-20 Maxim Gorky, at the time the world's largest aircraft designed by Andrei Tupolev.

1937

The Soviets set several record endurance flights. including the first polar flight between Europe and North America.

1946 (April 24)

First flight of Soviet-designed and -built jet fighter prototypes the Yak-15 and the MiG-9.

1947 (December 30)

First flight of the MiG-15.

1956

The Tu-104 makes its debut as the world's first commercial jetliner.

1965

Mil's Mi-12/V-12 makes its maden flight. It is still the largest helicopter ever build.

1968 (December 31)

First flight of the Tu-144, the world's first supersonic transport.

1988 (November 30)

Rollout of the An-225, the world's largest airplane.

Based on material published in Air Force Magazine