Nick Lappos - only a rumor (Now - the facts!)
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Nick Lappos - only a rumor
Just heard a rumor Nick's been headhunted to leave Sikorsky.
Word is it's a corporate jet manufacturer.
My source is usually good says Nick turned them down at first so they came back with a VERY attractive offer he could't refuse and he's taken it.
Watch this space.
Word is it's a corporate jet manufacturer.
My source is usually good says Nick turned them down at first so they came back with a VERY attractive offer he could't refuse and he's taken it.
Watch this space.
Ah the rumours do fly.....
Would that be Lockheed by any chance?
Avoid imitations
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Not EHI is it? 
Equally likely a rumour is Nick is not a teetotaller.
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VERY attractive offer he could't refuse
Hows about we don't get into tabloid type hearsay about any other Pruners Career?
You wouldn't like if it was done about you, show some courtesy and don't comment about the perceived aspirations of others, no matter how true or flase they are.
Last edited by autosync; 28th Feb 2005 at 02:34.
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Anyone who wanted to tempt Nick away from Sikorsky would have to come up with a very attractive package.
After leaving the military (which included flying Cobras in Vietnam), Nick graduated in engineering, went straight to Sikorsky and has been there for just over 30 years.
Having Nick on board would be an attractive option to any manufacturer. This is taken from a post some time ago -
Heliport
After leaving the military (which included flying Cobras in Vietnam), Nick graduated in engineering, went straight to Sikorsky and has been there for just over 30 years.
Having Nick on board would be an attractive option to any manufacturer. This is taken from a post some time ago -
NICK LAPPOS is the VXX Program Director for Sikorsky, responsible for the design, production, proposal and customer interface for the next generation Presidential helicopter bid.
Under his previous position as Director of S/H-92 Programs, the S-92 achieved FAA certification and was awarded the 2002 Robert J. Collier Trophy.
Nick became a Test Pilot at Sikorsky at the age of 24 - still the youngest ever - and has flown over 75 different helicopter types. He was the chief Research & Development Test Pilot for over 12 years, and Director of Test Engineering in 1999 and 2000.
He flew the first flights of many experimental aircraft, including the S-76, the Shadow, Fantail and Fly-by-Wire technology demonstrators. He participated in the development of the Black Hawk, the Super Stallion, the XH-59A Advancing Blade Concept (ABC), and the RAH-66 Comanche.
Nick graduated a Dean's List Aerospace Engineering Graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and has recently been appointed to their Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni.
He has been awarded the American Helicopter Society's Feinberg Award as most outstanding pilot three times, once individually and twice as member of pilot teams and, in 1994 was made a Fellow of the Society for his outstanding achievement in the vertical flight industry.
Nick is a Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and has received their Tenhoff Award for the most outstanding presentation to the association's annual symposium.
He holds 16 U.S. patents on flight and engine controls and cockpit displays, and three FAI recognized helicopter world records. He has authored a number of technical papers for the AHS, SAE and has written a number of articles for Interavia, Rotor and Wing and Defense Helicopter magazines.
Nick holds helicopter and fixed-wing certificates with both instrument and instructor ratings. He has over 7,500 hours of flight time in more than 75 different types of aircraft, including 950 hours of combat flying Cobras in Vietnam (awarded the Bronze Star) and 2,000 hours of Flight Test experience.
Under his previous position as Director of S/H-92 Programs, the S-92 achieved FAA certification and was awarded the 2002 Robert J. Collier Trophy.
Nick became a Test Pilot at Sikorsky at the age of 24 - still the youngest ever - and has flown over 75 different helicopter types. He was the chief Research & Development Test Pilot for over 12 years, and Director of Test Engineering in 1999 and 2000.
He flew the first flights of many experimental aircraft, including the S-76, the Shadow, Fantail and Fly-by-Wire technology demonstrators. He participated in the development of the Black Hawk, the Super Stallion, the XH-59A Advancing Blade Concept (ABC), and the RAH-66 Comanche.
Nick graduated a Dean's List Aerospace Engineering Graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and has recently been appointed to their Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni.
He has been awarded the American Helicopter Society's Feinberg Award as most outstanding pilot three times, once individually and twice as member of pilot teams and, in 1994 was made a Fellow of the Society for his outstanding achievement in the vertical flight industry.
Nick is a Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and has received their Tenhoff Award for the most outstanding presentation to the association's annual symposium.
He holds 16 U.S. patents on flight and engine controls and cockpit displays, and three FAI recognized helicopter world records. He has authored a number of technical papers for the AHS, SAE and has written a number of articles for Interavia, Rotor and Wing and Defense Helicopter magazines.
Nick holds helicopter and fixed-wing certificates with both instrument and instructor ratings. He has over 7,500 hours of flight time in more than 75 different types of aircraft, including 950 hours of combat flying Cobras in Vietnam (awarded the Bronze Star) and 2,000 hours of Flight Test experience.
Heliport
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Where's Flying Lawyer when you need him?
I'm here Bronx but, as the politicians say when dodging a question, 'No Comment'.
Let's just say that although Nick's skills and distinguished career as an engineering test pilot are understandably of the most interest to this forum, it's only a part of the story. Nick's a clever man whose talents and experience in the aeronautical industry go way beyond his renowned helicopter flying and engineering skills, and he'd be an asset to any aircraft manufacturer - whether rotary or fixed-wing.
Will he or won't he?
Watch this space.
Tudor Owen
I'm here Bronx but, as the politicians say when dodging a question, 'No Comment'.
Let's just say that although Nick's skills and distinguished career as an engineering test pilot are understandably of the most interest to this forum, it's only a part of the story. Nick's a clever man whose talents and experience in the aeronautical industry go way beyond his renowned helicopter flying and engineering skills, and he'd be an asset to any aircraft manufacturer - whether rotary or fixed-wing.
Will he or won't he?
Watch this space.
Tudor Owen
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People in Nick's position get weekly calls from headhunters (placement specialists). I noticed Nick has an outstanding quality, he can talk on TV! (don't underestimate that talent).
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Yes, it seems it is true. NL was "rumored" to be moving his stuff into the Chief Pilot office. But, rumor on CTAF is that the office is still empty and the acting guy will be moving in for good.
Remember NONE of the senior management at Sikorsky are original Sikorsky people. The company was hijacked and the new king(s) killed off all the old bloodline. Nick probably worried them with his actual knowledge of (gasp!) helicopters!
Good Luck Nick !!!
Remember NONE of the senior management at Sikorsky are original Sikorsky people. The company was hijacked and the new king(s) killed off all the old bloodline. Nick probably worried them with his actual knowledge of (gasp!) helicopters!
Good Luck Nick !!!
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It would be great for Nick to get the position he deserves at another company. In all the dealings I have had with Sikorsky he has been the only one who has shown integrity, honesty, professionalism and a realistic desire to help where he can, unlike the rest of the arrogant SOB's that work in Sikorsky management.
Nick - If you get that golden opportunity then take it. Remember Sikorsky dont know the meaning of the word loyalty, need I mention Spikes name, someone who gave years and years to the company and they still shafted him
PR
Nick - If you get that golden opportunity then take it. Remember Sikorsky dont know the meaning of the word loyalty, need I mention Spikes name, someone who gave years and years to the company and they still shafted him
PR
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Grip Twister
Nick was a Test Pilot for over 25 years and chief R&D test pilot for over 12 years before accepting promotion to the management floor. Although being Sikorsky Chief Pilot would probably be a dream job for many people, Nick has already done the best flying jobs, moved up and is now a major player at higher levels in the corporate world. Much as he loves flying helicopters, I can see a top management job appealing.
Nick was a Test Pilot for over 25 years and chief R&D test pilot for over 12 years before accepting promotion to the management floor. Although being Sikorsky Chief Pilot would probably be a dream job for many people, Nick has already done the best flying jobs, moved up and is now a major player at higher levels in the corporate world. Much as he loves flying helicopters, I can see a top management job appealing.
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I just hope that these recent changes (or rumors of changes) don't have anything to do with Marine One. If you're Nick's CEO, and you weigh his performance at managing the design of superb aircraft, and his ability to win one rather small but high profile and highly competitive contract, clearly the ability to manage the design of great aircraft (that will sell very well for years to come) would stand out.
At least that's the way I would see it, if I were his CEO. I would imagine that the CEO of some other aerospace firm, whose light bulb burns a little brighter, would see it the same way.
At least that's the way I would see it, if I were his CEO. I would imagine that the CEO of some other aerospace firm, whose light bulb burns a little brighter, would see it the same way.
Nick's silence here is deafening.
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I guess it could have a lot to do with Marine One but for different reasons to the one you mention.
Right or wrong, most folks accept no way Sikorsky was going to win the Marine One contract for political reasons so nobody's gonna blame Nick for that. Now, if I was a manufacturer with some government contracts trying to win more, or trying to break in to government contracts, who better to get on board than someone who's been working close with government departments for the last two years, knows folks in high places and can get through the door?
Let's play detective here. What else we got?
A rumor Nick's been headhunted by another manufacturer making him an offer he can't refuse
+
Flying Lawyer who's gotta know the answer dodging a straight question which he doesn't normally, and then teasing us with some thoughts to consider
+
a deafening silence from the man himself.
I'll stick my neck out here and say I think Nick's gonna move.
Right or wrong, most folks accept no way Sikorsky was going to win the Marine One contract for political reasons so nobody's gonna blame Nick for that. Now, if I was a manufacturer with some government contracts trying to win more, or trying to break in to government contracts, who better to get on board than someone who's been working close with government departments for the last two years, knows folks in high places and can get through the door?
Let's play detective here. What else we got?
A rumor Nick's been headhunted by another manufacturer making him an offer he can't refuse
+
Flying Lawyer who's gotta know the answer dodging a straight question which he doesn't normally, and then teasing us with some thoughts to consider
+
a deafening silence from the man himself.
I'll stick my neck out here and say I think Nick's gonna move.
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Bronx is right.
I have been offered the job of Vice President of Government Programs at Gulfstream, a great company and a great job. I am moving to Savannah, Georgia this weekend!
It took a while to pry me away from helicopters, after 37 years in the industry (32 years at Sikorsky and 5 previous years in the Army and/or engineering school).
Sikorsky is a fantastic company with a great future, and that kept me soundly at home for years, even as some offers came in from time to time. This last offer was just right, and when I was in transition between jobs, so I took the time to study it, met the people and thought hard about my future.
Yes, that desk in the Pilot's Office is vacant, (How does pprune get the precise word so quickly??) VXX had nothing to do with the decision, not at all. It was the chance to work on a new field with new challenges was so very tempting. I am an airplane pilot, and know airplane aero, too, ppruners!
I still plan to visit and participate in pprune (after all, Hovering is the distillation of pure flight....)
I have been offered the job of Vice President of Government Programs at Gulfstream, a great company and a great job. I am moving to Savannah, Georgia this weekend!
It took a while to pry me away from helicopters, after 37 years in the industry (32 years at Sikorsky and 5 previous years in the Army and/or engineering school).
Sikorsky is a fantastic company with a great future, and that kept me soundly at home for years, even as some offers came in from time to time. This last offer was just right, and when I was in transition between jobs, so I took the time to study it, met the people and thought hard about my future.
Yes, that desk in the Pilot's Office is vacant, (How does pprune get the precise word so quickly??) VXX had nothing to do with the decision, not at all. It was the chance to work on a new field with new challenges was so very tempting. I am an airplane pilot, and know airplane aero, too, ppruners!
I still plan to visit and participate in pprune (after all, Hovering is the distillation of pure flight....)