Vladimir V. Chebayev: unsung hero of the Russian ultralight

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On 19 July 2016, Vladimir Vladimirovich Chebayev, chief designer of light aircraft in Kazan (and the entire Tatarstan area) died a very sudden death. Born on September 5, 1955, Chebayev became a graduate of the KAI Faculty of Light Aircraft in 1979, and soon began his career as an engineer at OGK KAPO "Gorbunov" [the Kazan Aircraft Plant], working on the launch of the Tupolev Tu-160 into production. Later, he worked in the KAI laboratories, and as an engineer at SKB-1 KAI, where he found the opportunity to realize his creative potential.

In 1984-86, V. V. Chebayev built his first aircraft, the SLA KAI-61 "Sergeant" (right), together with his friend, engineer V. R. Gurevich, in the basement of the Fakel technical creativity club in Kazan. The concept of the aircraft, which featured a slotted wing, was quick disassembly and transportability, as well as the possibility of being flown by poorly trained pilots. The KAI-61 was of metal, plastic and a little wood construction, and weighed about 110 kg. Its speed range was 45-95 km/h, and it was operated irregularly until 2007.

Chebayev unofficially learned to fly and became an instructor at SKB-1 for flight training. He also participated in the refinement of the first, development and production of the second version of the KAI-81 (left). In the late 80s, he supervised the design and construction of the 2-seater KAI-502 initial training glider (right), under the name Kazan Amateur Designers, as well as a motor winch for launching gliders.

Mainly due to his efforts, initial flight training was revived in SKB-1 on its own equipment, and new training methods on gliders and airplanes were developed and tested. Chebayev instilled a new dynamic in the design bureau, and devoted a lot of time and attention to the engineering training of students in the SKB, so that they felt like designers and technologists even before graduating from the institute, solving practical problems.

In the early 90s, he moved to Ulyanovsk, where he worked as the head of the YUPSh at ATSK UAPK. There he designed and built (with employees and cadets) the ultralight gliders UK-00 (two built, right) in 1991-93 and "Stimul" in 1994-95, and also conducted active flight training on these gliders (later, in 2004, one of the two UK-00 gliders was modified into a pusher aircraft with an enclosed cockpit, but that modification probably did not involve Chebayev). Chebayev also served as technical director of VVM-13 "Albatros" (also called the L-13VVM), a conversion of several L-13 "Blanik" gliders into agricultural aircraft, powered by a 140 hp M-332Sc engine.
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Two views of the highly unusual L-13VVM, an agricultural aircraft converted from Polish L-13 Blanik sailplanes.
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From 2002, back in Kazan, he supervised the development of aircraft at the Avangard company. The sleek Avangard A-1 (left) and A-2 (below) were designed and built under his leadership. In 2005-2010, he worked at the KiPLA department of KNITU-KAI on helicopter topics. There, he developed and almost built an ultralight 2-seater helicopter, the KAI-002 Lark (right), although he was not the head of this project. In 2010, he became chief designer of KAI-Composite. Chebayev's last flying machine was an as-yet unnamed 2-seater carbon fiber ultralight. Its single-seater version was almost ready, but alas, it couldn't be completed before his passing.​

The Avantage A-2 is a beautiful design that should have met with more success.​

In addition to creating ultralight aircraft, in recent years he also worked on defense topics. Deep professional knowledge, the ability to think outside the box, hard work and a variety of production skills invariably provided him with high authority in the teams he led. In his personal life, Vladimir Vladimirovich was a very modest person, yet as a pilot instructor, he introduced dozens of young people to the sky. One commentator noted that Chebayev's designs "were distinguished by elegance and thoughtfulness of all details." The bright memory of the teacher, the instructor and the man will forever remain with those who were privileged to work with him.​

Main source: AEA forum