Note from President of Sikorsky to you
Dear Larry,
Thank you for the interest and support of our event at the Sikorsky West Palm Beach DFC. We will provide more details shortly as they become available. If acceptable to you, Sikorsky would be pleased to credit your spare parts account in the amount of $2,500 for the effort.
Mr. Carey Bond, President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters has asked that I send you the below note for Mr. Epstein. As I type, Mr. Bond was boarding a flight to the mid-east.
Again Larry, please accept my sincerest thanks for again assisting Sikorsky! Chuck
Charles M. Gibran
Manager, Global Sales & Marketing Support
Sikorsk Aircraft
Tel:
eFa
Dear Mr. Epstein,
Just a short note to thank you for supporting Sikorsky's press event scheduled for October 20th to promote the X2 prototype helicopter. This event will include a major aviation industry press announcement where we will share with over 50 representatives from print, broadcast and electronic media the next phase of X 2 technology.
The helicopter made history on September 15 with a flight that achieved a speed of 260 knots. I have attached a press release for your review. I'm sure you will recognize some of the faces involved in the program from your tour of our West Palm facility.
A highlight of this event will be a "drag race" between the X2 technology demonstrator and your 407. The Bell 407 has very similar performance comparisons to the US Army Kiowa Warrior and the OH-6 representing the Special Operation's Little Bird helicopter.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to have a member of your staff contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Carey Bond
President, Sikorsky Global Helicopters
Sikorsk Aircraft Corporation
attachment:
It's Official! X2 TechnologyTM demonstrator Makes Aviation History!
EFTA00755206
Early in the morning on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010 in West Palm Beach, Fla., Sikorsky Aircraft made aviation history when the X2 Technology"' demonstrator flew at 260 knots, exceeding its target milestone of 250 knots, unofficially breaking the speed record for rotorcraft. The flight took off at 7:02 a.m. and lasted for just over an hour, concluding at 8:07 a.m.
Chief Pilot Kevin Bredenbeck performed the test flight at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center. The flight marks the meeting one of the primary Key Performance Parameters for the X2 Test Program, which began in 2008.
"Congratulations to the entire X2 Technology"' Demonstrator team for their hard work and dedication to this ground-breaking program. With today's successful test flight, the X2 Technology"' demonstrator continued to make aviation history," said Mark Miller, VP, Research & Engineering.
"Today, we achieved our primary KPP goal of 250kts with the X2 TD aircraft. Of note, the aircraft hit 260kts in a shallow dive," said Jim Kagdis, Program Manager for Sikorsky Advanced Programs.
The X2 Technology TM demonstrator reached 225 knots on July 26, 2010 and 235 knots on Aug. 17. Both flights also set unofficial rotorcraft speed records.
There was much celebration at the DFC following the flight that made history. Robin Toni, R&E Training & Communications, has been documenting the X2 starting with flight "4" on June 30, 2009, in Elmira, N.Y.
"Contagious enthusiasm is the theme here in West Palm Beach. Documenting the progress of the X2 TechnologyTM Demonstrator has been the highlight of my 18-year Sikorsky career. It has been an exhilarating journey to this milestone. The X2 crew is the most skilled and talented team I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I am honored I was able to witness Sikorsky Aircraft history."
More X2 Technology"' Demonstrator news will be published in the weeks to come, including quotes from the X2 team and Chief Test Pilot Kevin Bredenbeck, and new photos and video of the historic flight.
EFTA00755207