Yeltsin Begins Visit to Ulyanovsk

On January 9, 1992, Russian President Boris Yeltsin conducted a working visit to the city of Ulyanovsk. During this visit, he toured the local aircraft building complex, specifically the Aviastar joint-stock society. The purpose of the visit included an inspection of the plant's technical equipment, efficiency, development projects, and personnel policies. A significant portion of the visit involved the presentation of a new type of flying apparatus known as a thermoplane. This device, developed at the plant in collaboration with scientists from the Moscow Aviation Institute, was described by designers as having the form of a 'flying saucer.' The designers expressed optimism that these thermoplanes would soon find broad application across various sectors of the Russian economy and in difficult-to-reach areas of the country. The report concludes by noting that President Yeltsin spent approximately one and a half hours in discussions with the plant's management.