History of Dobrolyot /Russian Society of Voluntary Air Fleet/

Dobrolyot, or sometimes Dobrolet (abbrevation for Российское общество Добровольного воздушного флота/The Russian Society of Voluntary Air Fleet), an early Soviet Union air transport organisation, which was formed in 1923 and existed throughout the remainder of the 1920s. It was formed in imitation of the Russian Merchant Navy Volunteer Fleet (Dobroflot), which had previously been formed back in 1878.
Alexander Rodchenko poster for Dobrolet (1923)
"Be ashamed, your name is not yet on the list of shareholders of dobrolet"

Родченко Александр, плакат Добролет (1923).jpg


The Dobrolyot society was created in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on March 17, 1923 to contribute to the development of the country's air fleet. A capital of two million gold rubles was authorised to fund its early projects and this was later augmented by funds derived from the issuance of stocks, which were initially offered to Soviet enterprises at the cost of one gold ruble a piece. Those who bought 25,000 shares were given the right to use a plane from its fleet. When a line between Moscow and Nijni-Novgorod was established, a daily service was arranged using nineteen Junker-type aeroplanes.


1 ruble share.

Dobrolet  Common Share.jpg


Dobrolet Common  Share.jpg


Temporary share purchase certificate.

Dobrolet Common Share.jpg



The basic objectives were the organisation of airmail, cargo and passenger lines, aviation related solutions of national economic problems (for example, aerial photography of localities) and also the development of the domestic aircraft industry. For example, Dobrolyot constructed airports and weather stations.[5] Territorially, activity of this organisation covered Russia and Central Asia.


Alexander Rodchenko design proposals for the emblem of Dobrolyot.

Alexander Rodchenko design proposals for the emblem of Dobrolyot..jpg


Alexander Rodchenko design proposals  for the emblem of Dobrolyot..jpg


In 1929, Dobrolyot and the similar organisations of other Soviet republics Ukrpovitroshliach (Ukrainian Airways) and Zakavia (a Georgian Airline) were incorporated into Dobrolyot USSR.

On October 29, 1930, Dobrolyot was abolished, forming the basis for the Central administration of the Civil air fleet (GU GVF), later becoming Aeroflot. Up until that time, the society's flight routes totaled 26,000 km in length; 47,000 passengers and 408 tonnes of cargo had been transported.

In 1932, all civil aviation activities were consolidated under the name of Grazhdansky Vozdushny Flot (Civil Air Fleet), known as Aeroflot.​
 
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    history of dobrolyot history of russian society of voluntary air fleet история общества добровольного воздушного флота российское общество добровольного воздушного флота
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