A need for a fundamentally new type of engineers to work in the new sectors of aviation science and technology arose in Russia in the early 20th century. An outstanding Russian scientist the founder of aero-hydrodynamics Professor Nikolai Zhukovsky initiated the foundation of scientific and educational centers to conduct the necessary research and training of scientists and engineers for the industry’s development. Under the patronage of his follower an outstanding scientist and teacher Boris Yuriev, Aeromechanical Department was founded at the mechanical faculty of MVTU (Moscow Higher Technical School). It was converted into Aeromechanical Faculty in 1929.
1930
On the 20th of March 1930, it was decided to split MVTU into five specialized engineering schools, among which there also was Higher Aeromechanical School (VAMU). The number of students at this period was about 450. The classes were held in two and even three shifts. On the 20th of August 1930 VAMU changed its name into Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). MAI, just like VAMU, consisted of three departments: Aircraft Construction, Engine Construction and Aeronautics. The structure of the institute was continuously improving to meet the aviation industry’s new requirements.
1940
By 1940 MAI evolved as a leading scientific and educational center specialized in training of broad specialists in aviation science and industry. Apart from education of specialists and scientists MAI at the same time carried out researches and a number of design developments that left a noticeable trace in the history of world aviation.
1946
The postwar period of MAI development is associated with revolutionary changes in aviation technology. This stage resulted in the transformation of the institute which was previously focused mainly on aircrafts and helicopters into Aviation Polytechnic Institute, providing training for a wide range of scientific and engineering organizations in aviation and aerospace industry.
1959
In 1959 the Department of Aircraft Design and Construction was established (since 1993 it is called Space Systems and Missile Engineering) based on the training of specialists in the field of missile and space technology.
1962
On the 25th of April 1962 the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin visited MAI. He held meetings with professors and teachers of the institute and visited the laboratories of the Aircraft Faculty. The same year MAI graduate V. Ponomareva entered the cosmonaut corps; she completed the full course of training and stayed with the corps until 1969, being Tereshkova’s backer-up.
1964
MAI branch "Voskhod" in the city of Leninsk, Kazakh SSR (at the Baikonur Cosmodrome) was established in 1964.
1967
Student design bureau of space technology "Iskra" was established at the Department of Aircraft Design and Construction in 1967. The direct scientific supervisor of the bureau was one of the pioneers of domestic space-rocket engineering, a Hero of Socialist Labor, Professor M. Kubasov (MAI graduate of 1958) became the first among MAI graduates who made a space flight as a flight engineer of spacecraft "Soyuz-6". During that flight the crew performed the world's first experiment on welding operations in space. As for February 2017, 22 MAI graduates made space flights, including the first female cosmonaut to enter the open space. It was MAI graduate S. Savitskaya.
1973
From 1973 to 1980 the institute greatly expanded its material and technical base. By the time of its fiftieth anniversary (1980) MAI had 18 fulltime and evening faculties with 80 departments.
1992
Since 1992 after a long break MAI has greatly intensified its international activities. During this period MAI has implemented more than 50 international agreements with partners from France, China, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, Syria and other countries.
1998
In 1998 the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK Aviaregister) granted MAI a certificate of the designer of light civil aircrafts.
2005
The department No.610 “Operation Management of Aerospace Systems” was established in 2005 due to the increased domestic and international market demand for qualified professionals to construct and operate aerospace equipment. In 2009 Department No.605 “Engineering Systems Testing” (established in 1970) became a part of Department No.610 with the aim of combining efforts to train specialists to manage operation and testing of aerospace systems. The main employers for the future graduates are JSC "RKK Energia", FGUP "GKNPTS named after M. Khrunichev", FGUP "NPO named after S. Lavochkin", and other major aerospace enterprises.
2009
In 2009 MAI became one of the 12 Russian universities, winners of the competitive selection of university development programs, that were granted the category of National Research University by the Government of the Russian Federation.
2015
In September 2015 MAI launched a bachelor training program in Aircraft Construction with five directions. Foreign students are trained in English for 4 years under this program. Moscow Aviation Institute takes an active part in international associations such as:
• Worldwide CDIO initiative for engineering education;
• Association of technical universities of Russia and China;
• Partnership of a European Group of Aeronautics and Space Universities PEGASUS;
• International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS);
• International Astronautical Federation (IAF). On the 31st of March 2015 the Ministry of Education reorganized Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) by annexation of the Russian State Technological University named after Tsiolkovsky (MATI). Qualified personnel and internationally recognized scientific schools, the longstanding traditions of MAI provide the preparation of high-class specialists, preservation and development of the teaching and laboratory facilities allows us to look optimistically on the future of the Russian leading university.
2016
On the 29th of June 2016, Mikhail Pogosyan was appointed to the post of Rector of the Moscow Aviation Institute.
