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Prize in Human-Powered Helicopter Contest Rises to $250,000 Thanks to Sikorsky Aircraft Pledge

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

August 27, 2009

thomas

STRATFORD, Conn., Aug. 27, 2009 – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has increased its pledge to provide $250,000 in prize money for the Igor I. Sikorsky Human-Powered Helicopter Competition. Sikorsky previously had pledged $20,000 in prize money for whomever could win the competition by achieving the engineering feat.  Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The competition, created by the American Helicopter Society International, challenges engineers to develop a human-powered helicopter that can reach an altitude of at least three meters during a hover lasting 60 seconds. No one has accomplished this feat yet. The official world record is held by Professor Akira Naito of Nihon University in Japan, with an altitude of 0.2 meters and flight duration of 19.46 seconds.  Sikorsky Aircraft informed AHS International at its annual forum in May that the company would increase its pledged contribution, which AHS would award to the competition winner.

“Igor Sikorsky, founder of Sikorsky Aircraft, believed that individuals provide the spark that moves mankind ahead. This competition continues his legacy by inspiring ingenuity in the next generation of engineers who will design our industry’s future,” said Mark Miller, Vice President of Research and Engineering at Sikorsky Aircraft.  “Our company is built on innovation. We believe strongly in the power of challenge.”

More information about the competition is available from the American Helicopter Society at 703-684-6777.

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