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Helicopter Air Service Program    173 

Mr. Belinn. Correct. 

Senator Monroney. Even if it only accommodated small passenger planes, it still would require millions upon millions of dollars in order to serve a lightweight DC-3 or even a twin Beech? 

Mr. Belinn. Not only that, Mr. Chairman, it would occupy air space that is becoming more and more crowded. 

Senator Monroney. Your air space is much safer because you handle one major commercial airport. I would say a big volume airport. 

Mr. Belinn. This is true. Of course, we have a great deal of private flying into Los Angeles. 

Senator Monroney. That is not any problem. Most of that would be your single or small light twins, which would stay below the area in which your transports would be in conflict. 

Mr. Belinn. We both operate in the area of 2,500 feet and down. 

Senator Monroney. That is your helicopters. What I am talking about is the complex, if you had to funnel into about eight or nine airports in this area for high-speed jet traffic landings, or at least Electras, you would have quite a confused air traffic condition that would make it impossible to maintain the high safety record that you maintain on the West Coast. 

Mr. Belinn. This is correct. 

Senator Monroney. With the one major airport and the single approach routes to that airport for your high-performance aircraft, transport aircraft, you make for a great condition of safety and minimize the cost to the FAA in maintaining various control towers and other maintenance of flight equipment--in-flight equipment--for the control of your air traffic. 

Mr. Belinn. We have long been advocates of large central airport served by helicopters from the regular, if you want to finally make your destination. 

Senator Monroney. In other words, this is the thrust of the whole helicopter subsidy request. 

Mr. Belinn. It is certainly one of the major ones. 

Senator Monroney. Senator Hart?

Senator Hart. I have no questions. 

Senator Monroney. Senator Cannon?

Senator Cannon. I have nothing further. 

Senator Monroney. Do you have anything further?
 
Mr. Belinn. I would like to spend a little time on this military. I was quite disappointed--

Senator Monroney. That is on page 8?

Mr. Belinn. No; it is in the appendix B. We have an exhibit here. We were astounded to hear one of the representatives of the Government question the value of our contributions to the military. We have a rather graphic example here. I hope you will pardon us for bringing the hardware into the committee room. 

Senator Monroney. That is all right. We are glad to see hardware here.

Mr. Belinn. This gear, which we are uncrating now, is you might say the guts of the transmission system of the model S-61 helicopter. 

It is a very expensive part. You note it is quite heavy. That gear, together with its mate, the pinion gear, costs approximately $4,000. We regard that as one of the high-cost replacement items. Ordinarily this gear is an indefinite-life item, and therefore needs