Possibly most unusual vehicle on the Kharkov city area. There is the Universalny Selsko-Khoziajstvenny Agregat UKhSA (the Universal Agricultural Unit) - the fresh approach of Kharkov Aviation building plant to the off-road topic. Possibly it's designers remembered the huge skill collected with snowmobils at this land and designed this propeller-driven bush-rider. They declared that it can simply move at every off-road terrain and that even in a swamp it's wheels lower point do not plunge more than two inch. It's tyres have really super-low air pressure. When Photographer climbed onto it the tyre bend sensitively under feet. This vehicle actually is proposed as agricultural tool to application of mineral fertilizers with one metric ton reservoir capacity. It has thrust/weight ratio worthy for aeroplane not for surface vehicle. And anybody may believe simply that it's propeller will push it off from any swamp, from any trouble. But IMHO it's designers are excellent aircraft builders but non-trained farmers. Because this device is a wingless airplane in fact. And after engine's ignition this vehicle produced enormous whirlwind of dust and sand even on 170-feet distance. I'm afraid at full steam it will simply blow out not only Colorado bugs and other agricultural pests but all plants together with upper ground layer one foot thick. But it may serve the best service in geological survey and naturally at military applications too. Seemingly it is more technological prototype under trials which is still far from commercial product. It's lacking cowlings of all mechanisms which fittings look like improvisation. It became most popular showpiece among kids during the exhibition and real hordes of them literally sieged it every moment. Kids pulled, pulled, torn, bent and pulled everything that hand could reach. But despite all their efforts when such devastative attack was over this vehicle was able to start the engine leaving the exhibition by it's own power. Thus it's design is robust enough to counter every harsh service in desert, tundra or jungles. Exhibition due to the 85th Anniversary of the Kharkov Aviation-building plant

Jerry Bradley, director of the DMPS aviation program, talks with Senator Chuck Grassley. Teaching science and technology reached a new height as the Des Moines Public Schools’ Aviation Engineering Technology Program took possession of a Learjet Model 35. The aircraft will be based at the program’s lab, located at the Des Moines International Airport, and used as a teaching tool for high school students studying aviation technology and maintenance. “At a time when science and technology education has never been more important, we are providing students in Des Moines with a hands-on, high-tech learning experience that will prepare them for great opportunities after high school,” said Jerry Bradley, director of the Aviation Technology Program. “The addition of this Learjet to our ‘teaching fleet’ puts us on the leading edge of high school aviation programs.” Des Moines Public Schools’ Aviation Engineering Technology Program is one of only three high school programs in the nation certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to teach aircraft maintenance. In fact, the program in Des Moines is the only one of its kind among the nearly 4,000 school districts in the Midwestern states. The Learjet Model 35 – also classified as a C-21 because of its use as a military transport – is a surplus aircraft from Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. It was acquired at a cost of $4,000. “Des Moines Public Schools is committed to providing students and families with the best educational choices to meet their needs and interests,” added Superintendent Nancy Sebring. “This is one more example of a great opportunity, providing students with a rigorous education and technical skills available in only a few school districts throughout the nation.”