From 1903 to 1906 he studied at the St. Petersburg Maritime College. In 1907 entered the Kiev Polytechnic Institute.

In 1908-1911 built his first two simple coaxial-rotor helicopters without swash. None of them could not fly with the pilot, and Sikorsky switched to building airplanes.

In 1911 graduated pilot.

In 1910 he flew on first flight to its construction C-2. In 1912-1914 created the aircraft "Grand", "Russian Vityaz", "Ilya of Murom, who started multiengined aviation.

In 1919 Sikorsky emigrated to the United States, where in 1923 founded the aviation firms «Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation», where he took the post of vice-president. Beginning its activities in the United States was very difficult, because it is known that Russia's prominent composer Sergei Rachmaninoff was personally involved in his enterprise. To save the company from bankruptcy Rachmaninov Sikorski sent a check for $ 5000 (very large sum for those days).

Until 1939 Sikorsky has created about 15 types of aircraft. In 1939 moved to the design of circuits with single-rotor helicopter swash widely distributed.

The first American experimental helicopter Vought-Sikorsky_300, created Sikorski, left the ground on Sept. 14, 1939. In fact, it was a modernized version of its Russia's first helicopter, which was created in July 1909.

Sikorsky first began to build a turbine helicopters, helicopters, amphibious with retractable landing gear and flying cranes. At its helicopters were first flew across the Atlantic (S-61; 1967) and Pacific (S-65, 1970) oceans (with air refueling). Sikorsky machines were used both for military and for civilian purposes.

The most successful of them recognized S-51, S-55, S-56, S-61, S-64 and S-65.

The last helicopter built by Sikorsky to retirement, was S-58 (he is considered the best helicopter of the first generation).

In exile headed by Tolstoy and Pushkin Society, studied philosophy and theology.
For example, his interpretation of the prayer "Our Father".
http://vera.mipt.ru/science/sikorsky.html

Igor died in 1972 in the town of Easton, Connecticut.
Photos from the archives of "LIFE"