Background
Georgy Shonin was born on the 3th of August, 1935 in Rovenky, Luhansk (Voroshilovgrad) Oblast, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine).
Georgy Shonin was born on the 3th of August, 1935 in Rovenky, Luhansk (Voroshilovgrad) Oblast, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine).
In 1950 Shonin completed Grade 7 of secondary school in Balta.
In August 1952 he completed 2 year of Odessa Air Force special school. Following the dissolution of the school he was sent to Naval Aviation School named after I.V. Stalin in Yeysk, where he graduated from training courses and received his secondary education in 1953.
In 1954 he studied 1 year in 93 Naval Aviation School (initial training), Lebyazhie station, Leningrad oblast, Leningrad Military District. After passing exams he was reassigned to 2 year of Naval Aviation School named after I.V. Stalin.
In 1957 Shonin graduated from Yeysk Naval Order of Lenin Aviation School named after I.V. Stalin on second category, on a speciality «military aviator».
From 1961 to 1968 he was a student of Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in Moscow. He graduated with honour from the Faculty of Engineering on a speciality «Manned and space aircraft and engines for them» and received qualification of «Pilot-cosmonaut-engineer».
In April 1980 he completed Air Force three-month refresher course in Lipetsk.
In 1988 he completed three-month higher academic course at Military Academy of the General Staff of the Soviet Armed Forces named for Marshal К. Е. Voroshilov.
Since 1957 Shonin was an assistant of Air Force Commander of Red-Banner Baltic Fleet, since February 1957 – pilot of 935 fighter aviation regiment of Air Force of Red-Banner Baltic Fleet.
In December 1957 Shonin was transferred to a post of senior pilot at 789 guards fighter aviation regiment of Air Force of Red-Banner Baltic Fleet, Murmansk oblast. Next year he was transferred to the same position at 768 fighter aviation regiment, 122 fighter division of Northern Fleet Air Force.
On March 7, 1960 by order of Commander-in-Chief of Air Force Shonin was enrolled at Cosmonaut Corps of the Air Force Cosmonaut Training Center for the post of listener-cosmonaut
Since April 1961 after completing the general space training he was appointed to the post of cosmonaut at Cosmonaut Training Centre unit.
In 1979 he was out of Cosmonaut Corps in connection with movement to flight position at Air Force.