Igor Sikorsky's headstone inscription bears the words: "Rare is the man of vision whose dreams become reality. Rarer still is one whose vision brings a better life to others while fulfilling his own. Such a man was Igor I. Sikorsky, aeronautical pioneer, "father of the helicopter', inventor and philosopher" (Spalla, P. et al., 2003, online).

Mr. Sikorsky started working in aviation as a young child at his home in Russia and later became an expert to Czar Nicholas II, designed aircraft in France, and eventually emigrated to the United States. Mr. Sikorsky holds many world records in the aviation field. His most notable contribution to the aviation field was his design of the world's first successful multimotor aircraft and the world's first true production helicopter. He also holds many other world records.  A few of his records include:

The largest plane produced, S-27G, 1916.

The longest range commercial aircraft, S44, 1937.

The first helicopter combat rescue, R-4, 1944.

The first helicopter civilian rescue, R-5, 1945.

The first helicopter naval rescue, S-51, 1947.

The first helicopter to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, S-55, 1952.

The first helicopter built specifically for a U.S. President, S-58, 1957.

        Igor Sikorsky                                                                                            First Helicopter

Spalla, P. et al. (2003).  Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives Inc. [Online]. Available:

         http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/