"If you are in trouble anywhere in the world, an airplane can fly over and drop flowers, but a helicopter can land and save your life." Igor Sikorsky
Along with the helicopter, Igor Sikorsky worked to develop rescue hoist capability, and his son Sergei assisted this effort by, among other things, providing himself as a hoisting test subject; picture below. (Images of Aviation, The Sikorsky Legacy)
I had the profound privilege of meeting Sergei while in Rio De Janerio many years ago. He obviously shared the deep passion for rescue that so many of us do. At one point, he picked up a copy of his book, and while standing and chatting, free-handed the drawing and autograph below (turns out he's also had schooling in the arts).
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These pioneers of humanitarian
helicopter rescue capability, which evolved from rudimentary
ability in the mid-1940's through numerous conflicts and civil
emergency efforts, presaged what we now take for granted; that
when in dire need, a professional helicopter crew will search
for you and then extract you from calamity. (Kyle, in Blackhawk)  |
Ultimately, ours has always been an altruistic effort; a humanitarian desire to put our experience and capabilities to use in serving the greater good. While it's true we've already served the needs of others for a large portion of what might have been our most financially productive years... that's what we did, and still want to do... "That Others May Live."