In the first half of the 20th century, the world was shaken by large-scale transformations. Aviation developed by leaps and bounds. Young and courageous pilots were striving to the sky. Ivan Doronin became a worthy son of this heroic era.
Starting conditions
After the October Revolution of 1917, the widest prospects and social ladders opened up for the commoners. Until that time, representatives of the nobility became aviators. After the party and the government of the USSR decided to create a domestic air fleet, the situation changed qualitatively. Young people from remote villages and the outskirts of big cities enthusiastically responded to the call to conquer the heavenly heights. The biography of Ivan Vasilyevich Doronin serves as a clear example of this.
The future polar pilot was born on May 5, 1903 in a peasant family. Parents lived in the village of Kamenka on the territory of the present Saratov region. The life of the rural workers was spent in labor and cares. In the spring you need to quickly drop out. Mow hay in the summer. Harvest in autumn. Holidays fell on winter time. Like all peasant children, Ivan took his rightful place on the farm from an early age. Grazing geese. Then he looked after the cattle. By force, nature did not offend him. Doronin went to school five miles away in the neighboring village of Berezovo.
Works and days
In 1920, Doronin was drafted into the workers 'and peasants' Red Army. According to the established tradition, the natives of the village of Kamenka ended up serving in the Baltic Fleet. After preparatory mine courses, the Red Navy man received a postscript on board the destroyer "Ussuriysk". A year later, the miner, at his insistent request, was sent to the school of naval pilots, which was based in Gatchina. The theoretical part of the program was given to Ivan with great difficulty. But he showed his persistent character and natural wit. An entry appeared on the examination sheet - fit for flight as an instructor, pilot of fighters and heavy aircraft.
After five years of service in the Air Force, Doronin joined the civilian air force and was assigned to Siberia. In the early 30s, the northern territories of the country were intensively developed. An experienced pilot took part in laying new routes. He performed overflights of remote areas, and landed on unsuitable sites. The authorities especially noted that the pilot did not commit a single accident. The finest hour for the polar pilot Ivan Doronin came in February 1934. In those days, the famous steamer "Semyon Chelyuskin" was covered with ice and sank. 111 people from the number of scientists and crew managed to land on the ice floe.
Recognition and privacy
The only way to save people was by using planes. The command sent 18 pilots to carry out the rescue operation. Only seven reached their destination, including Ivan Doronin. All people, despite the difficulties, were taken to the mainland.
Ivan Vasilyevich Doronin was awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his participation in the rescue of the Chelyuskinites. Subsequently, he continued to work in various positions in the country's civil air fleet.
The pilot's personal life went well. He only married once. There were no children in the family. Ivan Vasilievich Doronin died in February 1951 after a serious illness.
