Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky (25.05.1889, Kyiv - 26.10.1972, Easton, CT, USA) - the world famous aircraft designer, creator of the helicopters went down in history as the author of the first in the world aviation industry multiengined airplanes and helicopters.
In 1908 a student KPI Igor Sikorsky designed and built his first helicopter, which, however, did not rise into the air. Then he began to build aircraft. Together with his friends at the institute Fedor Bylinkin and Basil Jordan he built aircraft BiS-1 and BiS-2, and then on their own - C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6. December 12, 1912 C-6 broke the world speed record - 111 km / h.
In 1912, I. Sikorsky became the chief designer of aircraft department Russian-Baltic Carriage Factory (RBVZ) in St.
Petersburg. In a short time the multiengined airplanes "Grand" and "Russian Knight", then - four engine-"Ilya Muromets" were constructed, the later became the best aircraft of the First World War.
After the October Revolution of 1917, in March 1918, I. Sikorsky went abroad - in Yugoslavia, then to France. In 1923, he has created in the United States the company Sikorsky Aeroengineering Corporation. Throughout the 30s he creates a flying boat that could carry passengers to the places, where there were no airports with runways. A true masterpiece became amphibious four-S-40, carrying 40 passengers to a distance of 800 km or 24 passengers - 1,500 km.
In the 30-ies. I. Sikorsky began to develop again helicopters. In September 1939, he undergoes experimental helicopter VS-300 (S-46), and in 1942 his helicopter XR-4 (VS-316) was adopted by the United States Army.
After the war the company Sikorsky has become a recognized leader not only in the United States, but also in the world. Huge success of the company is the development of the helicopter S-55, which in 1952 made the world's first transatlantic flight. The last of the helicopters developed personally Sikorsky in 1954-1955 years, was S-58. Its numerous modifications were operated in almost fifty countries.