Viewing page 7 of 13

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

normally high degree of nonrevenue miles to maintain our existing schedule pattern. Our flight path between Idlewild and Newark alone requires a course of 29 miles for noise and safety reasons whereas the direct line measures less than 21 miles.

However, as a result of experience and exposure to problems in need of remedial action, the operator and manufacturer will be in a position to make such modifications that costs will ultimately be reduced and the quality and scope of our service greatly improved. It is not unrealistic to expect that now that they have developed a succesful operating machine, the helicopter engineers will devote considerable energy to refining this vehicle so that its characteristics will become increasingly more efficient and economical. Again, this has been the evolution in the development of the fixed-wing airplane. It will be true with the helicopter.

Nevertheless, even at present, in evaluating helicopter services, the user is concerned with the time saved. When the number of miles to be traveled is very small, the cost per mile has lessening importance. Remember, the versatility and utility of the helicopter as a transportation instrument is centered primarily in the ability to move passengers and cargo quickly and safely over congested areas and geographical obstacles with actual distances being relatively limited and, in any case, of minor importance.

Operations such as New York Airways, Los Angeles Airways, and Helicopter Air Service 

Five