Sergei Sikorsky Among Pioneering Aviation Families To Appear At AERO In Friedrichshafen

Representatives from Sikorsky Aircraft and the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP) organization will announce details of a joint initiative that continues the historic relationship between the Sikorsky and Lindbergh namesakes, during a news conference Thursday at the AERO Friedrichshafen air show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Sergei Sikorsky (pictured, above), son of company founder Igor Sikorsky, is among the representatives of aviation's "first families" scheduled to participate in promotional events to benefit Erik Lindbergh's nonprofit group, LEAP. Other participants include members of the Wright, Zeppelin, Piccard, and Dornier families.

Sikorsky Innovations, the company's technology development organization charged with tackling the toughest problems in vertical flight, along with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, are co-sponsors of the LEAP forum April 13 at AERO. Erik Lindbergh, grandson of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh, founded LEAP to promote solutions to social, technical, and environmental challenges through prize philanthropy and education. LEAP awards the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize to recognize those who are leading advances in electric aircraft technology, which this year will be awarded during the AERO show as part of the E-Flight symposium. The foundation is also responsible for the LEAP education program, in which student teams identify a problem in aviation and work collaboratively to investigate the issue and solutions.

Eric Lindbergh

"We are excited by Erik's work to promote solutions to aviation's toughest challenges through education and awareness," said Chris Van Buiten, director, Sikorsky Innovations. "As Sikorsky Innovations continues to recognize and enable innovation, we applaud Erik's unique and creative approach to inspire students to a lifelong passion for problem solving."

Sergei Sikorsky, along with members of the Sikorsky Innovations team, also will be on site to promote the advanced technology research occurring within Sikorsky Innovations. This includes the Firefly™ all-electric helicopter, introduced in July 2010. The Firefly demonstrator is an S-300C helicopter equipped with a high-efficiency, 190-horsepower electric motor, digital motor controller, battery system, and cockpit controls.

Sergei Sikorsky and Erik Lindbergh will discuss the history between the Sikorsky and Lindbergh families during the AERO press conference. Sikorsky also will provide details on the company's drive for product innovation as it aligns with the LEAP Foundation's initiatives.

Sergei Sikorsky recently was inducted as an honorary lifetime member of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) by its Board of Directors. Through the years, he has followed in his father's footsteps to promote the advancement of the aerospace industry.

FMI: http://lindberghprize.org, www.sikorsky.com