History of the Department of Strength of Aircraft
of the Faculty of Aircraft Engineering
of the National Aerospace University
"Kharkiv Aviation Institute"

The Department of Resistance of Materials, as an independent unit, was organized in October 1933 with three members under the leadership of Professor Dmytro Ksandrov. Initially, only the course "Resistance of Materials" was taught at the department. In 1947, candidate of technical sciences, associate professor Stepan Blyashenko became the head of the department.

The Department of Aircraft Strength, as an independent unit, was organized in September 1953. There were three teachers at the department:

Lev Vynokurov, doctor of technical sciences, professor, head of the department;

Volodymyr Zolotukhin;

Mykola Khlebutin.

In 1962, Professor Borys Davydov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, became the head of the Department of Resistance of Materials (on a part-time basis).

In 1966, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Lev Kolesnikov became the head of the aircraft strength department.

In 1967, candidate of technical sciences, associate professor Georgy Kornilov (since 1994 – professor of the department) became the head of the Department of Resistance of Materials.

In 1977, candidate of technical sciences, associate professor Mykola Shelomov became the head of the aircraft strength department.

In 1978, candidate of technical sciences, professor Anatoly Melekestsev became the head of the Department of Resistance of Materials. He remained in the position of head until the merger with the aircraft strength department in 2000.

In 1988, candidate of technical sciences, associate professor Mykhailo Lviv became the head of the aircraft strength department.

In 1995, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Petro Fomichev became the head of the aircraft strength department.

In 1999, the Department of Resistance of Materials was renamed to the Department of Mechanics of Materials and Structure.

In 2000, two related departments were merged: the Department of Mechanics of Materials and Structures and the Department of Aircraft Strength.