Sikorsky Aircraft lost a vibrant link to its past with the passing on Thursday of Sergei Sikorsky, son of company founder and rotorcraft pioneer Igor Sikorsky, at the age of 100. He was an eyewitness to the inception and development of the helicopter manufacturing industry.
Following a stint in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, Sergei joined the family business in 1951 in the international marketing and sales division for what would be a 41-year career with the rotorcraft manufacturer. In 1976, at the dawn of the OEM’s highly successful Black Hawk program, he was recalled to the company’s Stratford, Connecticut headquarters to become division v-p, overseeing Sikorsky’s co-manufacturing program, and later served in marketing and special roles.
Despite retiring in 1992, Sergei remained active with the company, serving as an ambassador at major trade shows and speaking about his family’s continuing legacy as the first commercial helicopter manufacturer. In 2019, in what Sergei described as his life’s single greatest honor, the aircraft hangar at Sikorsky’s Stratford facility was dedicated as the Sergei I. Sikorsky Flight Center.
“The entire team—past and present—at Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin mourn the passing of a remarkable man, a link to the golden age of aviation who meant so much to the success of our business,” said Sikorsky v-p and general manager Rich Benton. “Sergei will be greatly missed.”