Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky was born in Kyiv, then part of the Russian Empire. His father, Ivan Alexeevich Sikorsky, was a professor of psychology, and his mother, Maria Stepanovna Sikorsky (née Temriuk-Cherkasova), was a physician. His mother's medical background instilled in him an early interest in science and engineering.

Sikorsky developed a fascination with Leonardo da Vinci's helicopter designs and Jules Verne's science fiction at a young age. These influences sparked his lifelong dream of building a flying machine.

Sikorsky enrolled in the Saint Petersburg Naval College, intending to pursue a career in the Russian Navy. However, his passion for engineering and aviation soon led him to question this path.

A trip to Paris exposed Sikorsky to the burgeoning European aviation scene. He witnessed early airplane flights, solidifying his determination to build his own aircraft.

Sikorsky left the Naval College and began studying mechanical engineering at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. This allowed him to focus on his engineering interests and explore aviation-related projects.

During his time in Kyiv, Sikorsky began experimenting with helicopter designs. His first two attempts (S-1 and S-2) failed to achieve sustained flight but provided invaluable experience and insights into the challenges of helicopter engineering.