Amid the current controversy attending immigration, I want to tell you about a cherished friend, a first-generation American whose family emigrated here. Legally.
He is Sergei I. Sikorsky, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday.
Yes, that Sikorsky.
The world knows Sergei’s father Igor as designer of the first single-rotor helicopter. But before focusing on rotary-wing aircraft, Igor had two previous aviation careers. A native Ukrainian, he designed and flew the world’s first multi-engine airplane in 1913. After emigrating to America (legally) amid the Russian Revolution—he was threatened with execution—he set the standard for long-distance flying boats, partly due to Charles Lindbergh’s support.
Sergei was the first child of Igor and Elisabeth Sikorsky, born bin New York in 1925. He was named for an uncle who perished with all hands on a Czarist cruiser early in World War One.
Because of his father’s vast aviation network, Sergei grew up knowing everybody: Jimmy Doolittle, Eddie Rickenbacker, racer Roscoe Turner and others. Among other activities, he had water fights with the Lindbergh kids.
Sergei was as smitten with aviation as his father, starting with models at age six. Two years later he made his first flight sitting on Igor’s lap in an S-38 amphibian. He soloed in a Piper Cub at 16, sometimes treating siblings to loops and wingovers.
A sidebar: I met Sergei at Mesa, Arizona’s Falcon Field probably in the early to mid 80s when a beautiful reproduction Sikorsky S-38 stopped for fuel. I recognized it as the company’s early success, distinct with its high-mounted twin engines, tall rudders, and pronounced snout-like fuselage. The type had been an instant hit in 1928, setting the company on the path to commercial success.
Glancing around the crowd of well-wishers, I thought, “My gosh, that looks like Sergei Sikorsky!”
And he was, having been notified of the 38’s arrival time. The long drive from the Phoenix West Valley was entirely worthwhile.
Thus began one of the most valued friendships of my life—Sergei and Elena—who have afforded rare insight to 20th century personalities.
Igor Sikorsky’s circle included expatriate Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, who organized financial support for the nascent company.
A quick story about Rachmaninoff. He invited the Sikorskys to a back-stage concert soiree in New York where he introduced the 12-year-old Sergei to vodka and caviar. The lad was precocious in all things and took to the combination. Mrs. Sikorsky was…unenthusiastic.
About six months after Howard Hughes July 1938 round the world record flight in less than four days, he landed at the Sikorsky factory in Stratford, Connecticut. He debarked from his Lockheed without his globe-spanning crew, but with a significant passenger.
Miss Ginger Rogers alit in a clinging white dress that left little to the imagination. Sergei saw what he saw and concluded then and there: “Girls are different.”
Meanwhile, returning to the chronology:
Then came the war.
The U.S. military recognized the potential of helicopters and sent recruiters to cherry-pick Sikorsky talent. An Army colonel selected likely candidates while Commander Frank Erickson—“Mr. Coast Guard Helicopter”—had a slot for Seaman Recruit Sikorsky straight out of boot camp.
Thus Sergei became an aviation machinist mate, and you’ve probably seen him on documentaries. He’s the 19-year-old guinea pig being hoisted into an R-4 (Navy version the HNS-1) with the experimental rescue collar.
Postwar, Sergei fetched himself to Italy where he had a really good time studying art and models. His anatomical sketches so impressed some medical instructors that he was invited to consider pursuing a career in that field. But he decided to return to America, still enamored with the lure of flight.
After a stint with an aviation magazine, Sergei joined United Aircraft in 1951, beginning a 24-year career selling helicopters. He was especially active in Europe where his linguistic talent commended him to marketing. He had grown up speaking Russian at home but added Italian, French, and German. He still speaks with a slight accent, pronouncing “bomber” as “bom-ber .“ In that time he variously held pilot licenses from the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. He also provided technical support in Japan—in many ways a citizen of the world.
Among the other world citizens was Edward VIII, who in 1936 famously declined the British crown in favor of “the woman I love,” the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson. In the early 50s Sergei had a mutual friend in Paris who invited him to dine with the couple, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Partway through the evening, the duke said that he wished to speak privately with Mr. Sikorsky.
Certainly, your grace.
In an anteroom, the tall, elegant Briton said that he yearned to discuss aviation with a knowledgeable person. Sergei Sikorsky definitely checked that box.
Edward recalled a royal visit he and his brother (later King George VI) made to Chile in 1931. They were flown on a specially purchased S-38 during their visit. The Duke of Windsor made some flattering comments about the Sikorsky reputation both in airplanes and helicopters.
Edward died about 20 years later, age 77.
Sergei returned to the family business in 1975, having sold the heavy-lift CH-53 Super Stallion, still operational today. Some authorities credited the German purchase with assuring Sikorsky Aircraft financially.
Sergei retired as a corporate vice president in 1992 but remains a widely sought-after consultant and speaker. His Dutch-born wife Elena van Mechelin says that for all his linguistic versatility, “Sergei just cannot say No.” However, she manages his travel itinerary with aplomb, and they’re one of the best-matched couples you will ever meet.
Elena and I have waged a notably unsuccessful two-front campaign trying to convince Sergei to write—or at least narrate—his memoirs. He stoutly resists the notion, which is a loss to history. Aside from innumerable personal and professional insights, the Sikorsky family’s inspirational example as immigrants matter perhaps now more than ever.
At 100, Sergei remains alert, engaged, and surprisingly active. Still a citizen of the world—a patriotic American, a true renaissance man— and one of the most fascinating people you could hope to meet.
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