Ukrainian World Congress and Maple Hope Foundation Receive Medevac Air Ambulance Helicopter Donation from Helijet International

Designed by Ukrainian-born Ihor Sikorsky’s renowned helicopter company, the Sikorsky Aircraft S-76A helicopter is the first private donation of an aircraft of this magnitude from Canada to Ukraine, organized by the joint efforts of Canadian business and the Ukrainian diaspora. 

Richmond, B.C, Canada

February 10, 2025

Helijet International has donated a fully operational, medically equipped helicopter from its fleet to be used for medical evacuation missions in Ukraine.

Helijet has signed an agreement with a consortium of Canadian and Ukrainian non-governmental organizations Maple Hope Foundation, the “Unite with Ukraine” initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), and Initiative E+ to accept the delivery and title of a Sikorsky S-76A air ambulance helicopter valued at over $700,000. Together, the three organizations have been working with Helijet over the span of eight months to arrange the shipment of the aircraft to Ukraine.

The Sikorsky S-76A is a fully equipped air medical helicopter that Helijet had previously provided under contract to the Ministry of Health for patient transport in B.C. The aircraft has now been recently removed from that service but still has years of flight capability remaining. The gift is made on condition that the helicopter is used solely for non-commercial, humanitarian, and medical evacuation missions to airlift individuals in need of urgent medical care to hospitals in Ukraine.

In November, two pilots and two engineers from Ukraine travelled to Canada to receive flight, maintenance and deployment training for the helicopter at Helijet’s Richmond, B.C. base of operations. To assist in the shipment of the helicopter, the Maple Hope Foundation and the UWC launched a national online crowdfunding campaign that allowed Ukrainians from across Canada join the mission of delivering this life-saving helicopter. The campaign raised $101,530 in three weeks from more than 730 donors to cover the costs of logistics and transportation.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, that began in February 2022, Helijet has also been providing relief assistance on other fronts including facilitating the staging of medical supply shipments coordinated and secured by Maple Hope Foundation bound for Ukraine at its Richmond hangar. Helijet president Danny Sitnam and his family opened their home in April of 2022 and supported a family of three, fleeing from the Ukraine until they could find a home of their own in Vancouver. “We’ve since become great friends with this family,” said Sitnam. “Supporting them was just the start of a commitment we made at Helijet to help Maple Hope Foundation as the unrelenting struggle with Russia continues for the people of Ukraine.”

“The incredible donation of the Sikorsky S-76A medevac helicopter by Helijet is a powerful testament to the unbreakable bond and unwavering support from Ukraine’s allies in Canada. This life-saving air ambulance will be a game-changer, delivering critical medical aid to those suffering in the war-torn regions of Ukraine. On behalf of the Ukrainian World Congress, I extend my deepest gratitude to Danny Sitnam and the entire Helijet team for their heroic commitment to aiding the people of Ukraine during these challenging times. We also owe immense thanks to the Maple Hope Foundation for their relentless dedication to making this collaboration possible. Together, we are not just saving lives; we are igniting hope and making a monumental impact.” said Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress.

“This project represents the culmination of a deeply meaningful partnership between Helijet and our organization, one that began during a time of crisis. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion ofUkraine in February 2022, and displaced Ukrainians began arriving in Canada in unprecedented numbers, Danny Sitnam and his family were among the first to extend a helping hand. Since that moment, Danny and the entire Helijet team have been unwavering in their support of both Maple Hope and the Ukrainian community in Vancouver. Their generosity and commitment have made all the difference for us, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their continued friendship and support.” stated Svitlana Kominko, CEO, Maple Hope Foundation.

COMING FULL CIRCLE: A MEDEVAC HELICOPTER WITH UKRAINIAN ROOTS

Appropriately enough, the Sikorsky S-76A donated is a product of U.S. based Sikorsky Aircraft founded a century ago by Kyiv-born helicopter inventor Igor Sikorsky shortly after he emigrated to the United States.

His son Sergei Sikorsky also worked for the company during his long career in aviation and today carries on the family’s aviation legacy. “When my father and his company developed this aircraft, I’m sure he never would have predicted that the people of Ukraine, who now find life very difficult, would benefit decades later from his genius and expertise. The Sikorsky name has been synonymous with helicopter innovation for 100 years and now will be part of this generous effort that comes full circle to help today’s generation in his very own homeland.”