SERGEI SIKORSKY DRAWING
TRAILBLAZERS
Sergei used his drawing skills to
illustrate a variety of helicopter missions for his father’s engineers.
European aircraft. Sergei was awarded
the Enoch Thulin Bronze Medal from the Swedish Society for Aeronautics in 1963, the Institute of Navigation Medal from the Italian Institute of Navigation in 1965, and an honorary doctorate in avia- tion management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1983. He was also named an honorary fellow of the American Helicopter Society in 1991 and received the Gruppo Agusta Fellowship Award in 1993, the Ukrainian Yaroslav the Wise medal in 2005, the Helicopter Association Medal from the Russian Helicopter Industry Association in 2012, the John J. Schneider Historical Award from the American Helicopter Society in 2012, and the Corporate Leadership Award from the Navy Helicopter Association in 2017. Frequently asked about
The Legacy Continues By then the vice president for special projects, Sergei retired in 1992 from United Technologies Corporation (UTC; United Aircraft changed its name in 1975), but he is still a consultant with the company. UTC is now owned by Lockheed Martin, but the Sikorsky name is still on cutting-edge aircraft (see the story on the Sikorsky Defiant on p. 30). Sergei has many souvenirs and experiences from his
lifetime in aviation. “Believe it or not, I have a member- ship card from the American Helicopter Society dating to 1945, the first year when it was organized,” Sergei says. He is also an honorary lifetime member of HAI. Sergei has held US, Italian, Swiss, German, and French pilot’s licenses and has checked out on around 40 US and
62 ROTOR WINTER 2019
the best way to become a helicopter pilot or mechanic, Sergei recommends starting with military service: “With a bit of luck, you can be trained in a light single-engine helicopter, progress through your instrument rating, and eventually wind up as a highly qualified multi-engine, instrument-rated helicopter pilot. As a mechanic, you will be trained to service and overhaul some of the biggest, heaviest, and meanest helicopters in the business.” Given his military record, it is not surprising that Sergei has a favorite service to recommend. “At the risk of being called prejudiced,” he says, “I would suggest you take a good look at the aviation career, either as pilot or aircrewman/mechanic, potentially available in the US Coast Guard.… Choose the career path you like, and work like hell!”
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