Scientific School “Methodology, Methods and Models of Transport Category Aircraft Design”
General Characteristics of the Scientific School
The scientific school of Viktor Ivanovych RYABKOV is an established research direction in the field of aircraft engineering. One of the research avenues of the scientific school includes studies on utilizing the gravitational energy of the so-called “dark mass” in interplanetary flights of spacecraft. These scientific investigations have expanded the capabilities of quantum mechanics.
Founder of the Scientific School
Viktor Ivanovych Ryabkov (born July 24, 1938) is a Ukrainian scientist, specialist in the field of aircraft construction, Doctor of Technical Sciences (1986), Professor (1988), Academician of the Engineering Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (1989), Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology (1994), Holder of the Order “For Merit” 3rd Class (2005). From 1987 to 1999, he served as the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at KhAI; from 1988 to 2007, he was the Head of the Department of Aircraft and Helicopter Construction; and since 2007, he has been a Professor at the Department of Aircraft and Helicopter Design of the National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute”.
Scientific research by V. I. Ryabkov began in 1978. It stands as an essential component of the scientific school “Design and Construction of Efficient High-Resource Aircraft”, which dates back to the very inception of Department 103 “Aircraft and Helicopter Construction” at KhAI. This scientific school was originally founded in 1931 by Professor Yo. H. Niman and subsequently expanded by the research of L. D. Arson, whom Viktor Ivanovych considers his mentor.
The Main Scientific Directions of the School Are:
The school's activities are focused on conducting fundamental and applied research into pressing problems within the field of aviation engineering in the following areas:
- Aircraft landing gear design, principles and methods for synthesis of landing gear parameters based on durability criteria.
- Shaping the geometry of wing panels and empennage units based on the minimum induced drag criterion.
- Creation of transport category aircraft modifications with consideration of their competitiveness.
Scientific Achievements and Activity Results
Under the supervision of V. I. Ryabkov, 19 dissertations have been defended in the aviation field (including those on classified/special topics).
Representatives of the scientific school have carried out fundamental and applied scientific research on the design and construction of aircraft landing gear and its systems; ensuring the lifespan and reliability of systems and elements during the design and manufacturing of airplanes and helicopters; optimizing aircraft wing planform geometry during the initial conceptual design stage; modifying transport category aircraft; and improving the method of physical modeling of aircraft flight regimes.
Main Publications and Scientific Projects of the School
The scientist's bibliography includes over 200 works, among which are 8 textbooks, more than 30 educational and methodological manuals, and proceedings of scientific forums.
Selected scientific publications by V. I. Ryabkov:
1. Ryabkov, V. I. Aircraft Landing Gear Design: textbook / V. I. Ryabkov, L. V. Kapitanova, V. A. Tit. – 2nd ed., rev. and enlarged. –, 2023. – 360 p. – ISBN 978-966-662-245-0. –
2. Ryabkov V.I., Tolmachev N.G., The Hypothesis of Bi-Matter as a Source of Tachyonic Energy. // Aerospace Technics and Technology. Kharkiv: KhAI - 2008. - № 5(52). – P. 77-84.
3. V.I. Ryabkov, N.G. Tolmachev, Has the Higgs Boson Been Discovered? / issn 1727-7337. Aerospace Technics and Technology, 2013, № 8 (105). p. 216-231.
4. V. I. Ryabkov, R. U. Tsukanov,. Transport Category Airplane Flight Range Calculation Accounting Center-of-Gravity Position Shift and Engine Throttling Characteristics / Aerospace Technics and Technology. Special Issue: scientific-technical journal / Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, National Aerospace University named after M. E. Zhukovsky “Kharkiv Aviation Institute”. – Kharkiv, 2021 . – 5/175. – P. 4-14.
5. Issue of Airplane Modification Mass Variations Based on Their Structural Modeling / V. Riabkov, R. Tsukanov, O. Dveirin, L. Kapitanova, M. Kyrylenko // 16th International Scientific-practical Conference on Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Systems. MODS’2021 : proceedings, Chernihiv, 28 June – 1 July 2021. Cham : Springer, 2021. P. 437–450. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ; vol. 344. ISSN 2367-3370).
6. Ryabkov V.I. Investigation of the Properties of the Total Mass of Quanta in the Structure of Observable Matter // Scientific Progress: Innovations, Achievements and Prospects : proc. X International Scientific-Practical Conf., June 25–27, 2023, Munich, Germany. Munich, 2023. P. 178–187.
7. Decision support modeling in the procedure of increasing load capacity and flight efficiency of transport category aircraft modifications / L. Kapitanova, V. Riabkov, A. Koryagin // Aerospace Technics and Technology. – 2025. – № 1(201). – P. 4-13.
8. Designing of airplane wing spar : tutorial / V. I. Riabkov, L. V. Kapitanova, S. V. Trubaiev, M. V. Kyrylenko. – Kharkiv : National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute”, 2026. – 80 p.
9. Viktor Riabkov, Liudmyla Kapitanova, Andriy Koryagin, Decision-Support Models Utilization for Creating Dual-Use Transport Category Aircraft Modifications. / “ICTM-2025: Integrated Computer Technologies in Mechanical Engineering” – Synergetic Engineering. ICTM 2025, Volume 2, LNNS 1919, pp 194-205.
Since 1988, Viktor Ivanovych has managed state-funded and contract-based scientific research projects focusing on the design of aircraft structures, components, and systems.
V.I. Ryabkov has been the head of numerous scientific state research projects spanning over a period of 40 years (1981 – 2020). In particular, some of them include:
- G103-3/00 “Theoretical Foundations for Ensuring the Operational Life and Reliability of Element Systems in the Design and Manufacture of Airplane and Helicopter Structures” 2000-2001.
- G103-16/2003, SR No. 0103U005073 “Design of Aircraft and Helicopter Structural Components and Units Considering Lifespan Criteria” 2003 – 2005;
- D103-15/2006, SR No. 0106U001043 “Method for Optimizing Wing Planform Geometry during the Aircraft Conceptual Layout Definition Stage” 2006 – 2008;
- SR No. 0118U004043 “Problems in Developing Modifications of Transport Category Aircraft Accounting for Their Competitiveness” 2018 – 2020.
Guarantor of educational programs “Design, Production and Certification of Aviation Equipment” specializing in 134 Aviation and Aerospace Engineering, “Airplanes and Helicopters” (2017-2025).
Scientific Community and Continuity. Disciples
Professor V. I. Ryabkov is recognized as one of the leading experts and scientists in the field of aircraft engineering.
1988-1991 – Chairman of the Specialized Council of the Higher Attestation Commission.
1992-1999 – Chairman of the Specialized Council of the Higher Attestation Commission of Ukraine for the defense of doctoral (Dr. Sc.) and candidate (Ph.D.) dissertations.
1992-1993 – Member of the Board of the Higher Attestation Commission of Ukraine.
1992-2016 – Member of the section of the Committee on State Prizes of Ukraine in Science and Technology (Classified Projects section).
From 1987 to 1999, he worked as the Vice-Rector of KhAI for Academic Affairs. During this period, he established the following at KhAI: the Faculty of Engineering and Management, the Department for International Students, the Distance Learning Faculty, the Faculty for the Advanced Training of Industrial Engineers, Pre-University Training, as well as the Departments of Ukrainian Language, Production Management, Informatics, Economic Cybernetics, and Finance; branches of the Department of Aircraft and Helicopter Design at the Antonov ASTC (Kyiv), and the CAD/CAM/CAE computer center. The creation of new faculties, departments, and specialties fundamentally transformed the structure of KhAI and ensured its resilience during the early years of Ukraine's independence.
At the national level, V. I. Ryabkov acted as the organizer and the first chairman of the commission for specialist training in Ukraine in the field of “Aviation and Astronautics” (1993-1999).
For the first time in Ukraine, he organized and headed the specialized Academic Council at KhAI for the defense of doctoral dissertations in aircraft and engines (1989-1999).
In 1989-1999, V.I. Ryabkov was the Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Primary Flight Modeling (NII PFM) for research activities. With his participation, a program of research and development work was designed to improve the method of physical modeling of aircraft flight regimes. He led the development of design methods for dynamically similar flying aircraft models, for which, along with a team of scientists, he was awarded the State Prize of Ukraine No. 4000 in 1994.
In 1989, V.I. Ryabkov was elected Academician of the Engineering Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Viktor Ivanovych Ryabkov is not only an outstanding scientist but also a dedicated educator and mentor who has profoundly shaped the scientific and social life of KhAI. He has been teaching for over 60 years, developing pedagogical materials for foundational professional disciplines such as “General Layout of Aircraft and Helicopters”, “Design of Aircraft and Helicopter Structures”, “Design of Aircraft and Helicopter Landing Gear”, “History of Science and Technology”, etc.
During his tenure at the department (from 1962 to the present) and under his direct guidance, more than 300 graduates of the Aircraft Engineering Faculty successfully defended their Specialist, Bachelor's, and Master's degree theses.
Since the inception of the school, two Doctor of Sciences (Dr. Sc.) degrees have been completed:
- Los O. V. “Methodology for Designing Modifications of Military Transport Aircraft under Major Alterations in the Wing and Powerplant” (2020);
- Kapitanova L. V. “Analysis and Synthesis of Takeoff and Landing Performance for Modifications of Transport Category Aircraft” (2021);
Dissertations for the scientific degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph.D.) carried out under the scientific supervision of Professor V.I. Ryabkov:
- Shemetov S. Ye. “Selection of Fork Joint Parameters for Aviation Structures Based on the Fatigue Life Criterion” (1987).
- Tseplyayeva T. P. “Design of Mechanical Control Channels for Aircraft Considering Lifespan and Resonance of Flexible Wiring” (1988).
- Volokh I. M. “Development and Implementation of Controlled Landing Gear Damping to Shorten Aircraft Takeoff and Landing Run Lengths” (1988).
- Tolmachov M. H. “Design of Controlled Energy Dissipators in Aircraft Landing Gear Shock Absorption Systems” (2002).
- Tinyakov D. V. “Method for Determining Geometric Parameters of Lifting Surfaces for Transport Category Aircraft Based on Their Efficiency Criteria” (2013).
The scope of dissertation research completed within the scientific school highlights its comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and practically-oriented character in the aviation industry.
Today, the development of the main research areas of the scientific school is carried out by department staff: Dr. Sc. Kapitanova L. V., and postgraduate student Kirnosov D. S.
Representatives of the scientific school actively participate in operations at aviation enterprises both in Ukraine and abroad (Tinyakov D. V. works and teaches in China).
The results of scientific research have been implemented across aviation enterprises in Ukraine. Based on recent advancements in design and manufacturing technology, specialists at Ukrainian aviation facilities created the An-70, An-74TK-300, An-140, An-148, An-132, An-158, An-74TK-200, and An-124 aircraft. Significant contributions to the creation of these airplanes were made by V.I. Ryabkov, his disciples, and students across generations. Work continues to this day aimed at engineering new modifications of these aircraft.
Recognition and Prestige of the Scientific School
The high prestige of V. I. Ryabkov's scientific school is validated by state awards, professional honors, and active engagement in the socio-scientific life of Ukraine's aviation sector.
Honors and awards of V. I. Ryabkov:
1965 – awarded a gold “Poljot” watch by the Ministry of Communications “For personal participation in the construction of the Abakan-Taishet route of courage”.
1989 – Academician of the Engineering Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
1988-1999 – repeatedly recognized with governmental and departmental certificates and expressions of gratitude from the ministries of engineering and transport, as well as general designers of aircraft, missiles, and engines.
1982 – awarded the “Best Inventor” badge.
1988 – awarded the “Chelomey Honorary Medal” “For flawless targeted training of specialists for defense ministries”.
1991 – awarded the “Veteran of Labor” medal.
1994 – State Prize of Ukraine Laureate, awarded by the Committee on State Prizes of Ukraine in Science and Technology under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Diploma No. 4000.
2005 – awarded the Order “For Merit” III Class by the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated 26.05.2005 “For outstanding merits in the educational process, scientific activity, and the upbringing process”.
2008 – Certificate of Congratulation from the President of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Chairman of the Committee on State Prizes of Ukraine in Science and Technology, Academician B.E. Paton.
2021 – awarded the Badge of Honor “For Merit”.
2023 – Certificate of Congratulation from the Command and personnel of military unit A7383 of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
2024 – recognized with an Expression of Gratitude from the Armed Forces of Ukraine “for timely assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine of military unit A4085, significant contribution to the defense of the Kharkiv region, and supporting the fighting spirit of the defenders of Ukraine”.
2024 – awarded the Honorary Distinction “Star of KhAI”.
The entire scope of Viktor Ivanovych Ryabkov's activity is aimed at developing the educational, scientific, and technical domains, fostering international cooperation, enhancing the role of higher education and science in society, strengthening the material and technical infrastructure of the university, and driving the prosperity of Ukraine's aviation industry.