The Invention of the Helicopter

Igor Sikorski, born in 1889 in Kiev, was fascinated by flight from a young age. He pursued aeronautics in Paris and later moved to the US in 1919, where he founded the Sikorski Aero Engineering Corporation. Despite challenges, he focused on vertical flight, leading to the creation of the VS300, the first practical helicopter, in 1942. Sikorski's helicopters played a crucial role in WWII and his innovations, including the turboshaft engine and rescue hoist, have had a lasting impact on aviation. His legacy continues through the Sikorski Aircraft Corporation.

Who inspired Igor Sikorski's early interest in flight?

• Wright Brothers

• Jules Verne

• H.G. Wells

• Leonardo da Vinci

Where did Sikorski pursue his formal education in aeronautics?

• New York

• London

• Berlin

• Paris

What was the name of the company Sikorski founded in the United States?

• Sikorski Aircraft Innovations

• Sikorski Aviation

• Sikorski Aero Engineering Corporation

• Sikorski Helicopter Company

What was Sikorski's primary focus in the 1930s?

• Vertical flight

• Space exploration

• Jet engines

• Commercial airliners

What was the name of the first practical helicopter developed by Sikorski?

• HS100

• VS300

• TS400

• RS200

During which war did Sikorski's helicopters prove instrumental?

• World War II

• World War I

• Korean War

• Vietnam War

What significant engine did Sikorski contribute to developing?

• Jet engine

• Turboshaft engine

• Piston engine

• Rocket engine

What device conceptualized by Sikorski has saved countless lives?

• Ejection seat

• Parachute

• Rescue hoist

• Life raft

What was Sikorski's legacy in the field of aviation?

• Helicopters and aviation technology

• Military drones

• Space shuttles

• Commercial airliners

What was the primary role of Sikorski's helicopters during World War II?

• Aerial photography

• Combat missions

• Passenger transport

• Rescue missions and transport