Chief among his duties was planning the interior design and layout for each aircraft, a responsibility which kept him involved in every step from designing the blueprint to overseeing its manufacture. He was tasked with designing and furnishing the cabin interiors so that they would meet not only the customers’ criteria for color, etc. but also satisfy important FAA regulations in order to get approval for flight.

Ryzhikov was particularly involved in the development and design of several notable Antonov aircraft. One of his key achievements was his work on the Antonov An-22 “Antei,” which, at the time, was the largest cargo aircraft in the world. The An-22 is notable for its distinctive high- mounted wings and twin-engine configuration. His contributions helped solidify Antonov’s reputation as a leader in the field of heavy and transport aircraft. 

He is credited for designing the original Antonov company logo which featured a combination of the company’s name in Cyrillic script with design elements reflecting the aviation focus.

During his career, Ryzhikov’s expertise and leadership played a crucial role in advancing Soviet aviation technology, particularly in the development of large and heavy-lift aircraft. His work was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what was technologically possible during his time, contributing to the success and innovation of the Antonov company.