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.
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