Sikorsky, Igor

Sikorsky, Igor (Ivan)

Igor Sikorsky, Russian-born American aircraft designer.

(credit: Courtesy of Sikorsky Aircraft)

(born May 25, 1889, Kiev, Russian Empire—died Oct. 26, 1972, Easton, Conn., U.S.) Russian-U.S. pioneer in aircraft design. After studying engineering in Kiev, he set up his own shop to develop the helicopter. In 1910, after failing to build a workable model, he turned to fixed-wing airplane design, and in 1913 he built the first four-engine airplane, with an innovative enclosed cabin. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1919. In 1931 he produced the twin-engine amphibian aircraft that became the model for Pan American World Airways' “Clipper.” In 1939 Sikorsky finally realized a viable helicopter design. He directed his company, a division of United Aircraft Corporation, from 1929 to 1957.