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HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM           41

and STOL performances of the Ling-Temco-Vought machine, to see it hover about the skies-a plane about the size of an Electra-to see it pull itself by its own propellers right straight up in the air and hover at about 20 feet in about a 20-mile-an-hour wind, and then tilt and climb and pick up speed to about 120 miles an hour.

This can carry in its present configuration more than 40 people seated and perhaps 70 people standing, which would be possible in commuter work. It was indeed a breakthrough that I had not expected to see for years yet to come.

Mr. BOYD. This is certainly not a static situation in any sense of the word.

Senator MONRONEY. If there are no further questions, we do thank you for your helpful interest in this and in helping to solve the problem of how to get from the airport to home, which is still a part of the passenger's requirements from the airlines.

The committee will stand in recess until 2 o'clock this afternoon. 
(Whereupon at 12:17 p.m., a recess was taken, to reconvene at 2 p.m., the same day.)

AFTERNOON SESSION

Senator BARTLETT. The subcommittee will be in order. 

We will continue the hearing commenced this morning on the helicopter air service program. The next witness is Mr. Halaby, Administrator, Federal Aviation Agency.

STATEMENT OF NAJEEB E. HALABY, ADMINISTRATOR, FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY

Senator BARTLETT. Mr. Halaby, the committee appreciates your appearance here. It is noted that you have a prepared statement, which you may read in full text if you so desire, or, if you prefer, it may be summarized. If that is the case, the statement will appear in full in the record.

Mr. HALABY. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you this morning the problems involved in question of whether or not Federal subsidies should be continued in support of scheduled helicopter operations.

My remarks will be confined largely to operational requirements of scheduled helicopter service, and the impact of those requirements on the economic well-being of the three subsidized air carriers presently rendering those services.

All three of these companies, New York Airways, Chicago Helicopter Airways, and Los Angeles Airways, operate under air carrier operating certificates issued by FAA. These certificates are issued on the basis of the ability of the companies to conduct a safe operation in accordance with safety requirements prescribed by the Agency under that act. Aircraft operated by these companies must be certificated as airworthy by FAA, and the air carrier must see to it that its equipment remains in an airworthy condition. In this regard, FAA requires that an adequate inspection organization be established to determine that maintenance is carried out in conformation with accepted standards and good practices. In addition, FAA requires that

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