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HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM 
APPENDIX 9 
DECCA NAVIGATOR SYSTEM INC. 
New York, N.Y., March 1,1965. 

Mr. ROBERT L. CUMMINGS 
PRESIDENT, New York Airways, N.Y 
 DEAR MR. CUMMINGS: In obtaining certification from the Federal Agency, on February 16, 1965, of the Decca Navigator system and related electronic equipment for primary helicopter instrument flight navigation, New York Airways has made a major contribution to the utility of helicopters throughout the world-- both military and civilian. On the occasion of receipt of the certification of the Federal Aviation Agency we wish to offer you our most sincere congratulations on the work you have accomplished and the patience and perseverance you have demonstrated. It is truly a "first" of which you can be justly proud. 
 We also wish to acknowledge your company's invaluable contribution in the development of the Mark VIII Decca Navigator equipment. From the inception of your operations in 1952 you recognized that the line-of-sight navigation systems used in fixed wing operations would not be suitable for helicopter operations in the New York are since the high buildings, terrain and other structures would interfere with line of sight transmissions. New York Airways therefore, worked closely with us in developing a navigation system which would meet the highly specialized area coverage requirements and which would shoe the pilot, visually, hi position without reliance on a high frequency line- of-sight signal. In perfecting this type of system, new York Airways' pilots and helicopters logged over 28,000 hours of in-flight service testing of prototype electronic equipment. Coordination of our technical activities plus the in-flight services testing provided the essential ingredient that lead to the adaptation of the Decca instrumentation to helicopter operations. 
 It is our understanding that the Decca system is today the only navigations system which has been found fully useful for all-weather helicopter operations in Vietnam. as a result of the Joint Decca-NYA program, the Mark VIII Decca Navigator System was immediately available to the U.S armed services in 1962 substantially as an "off-the-shelf" item when it was initially procured for use in the very critical Vietnam situation. But for New York Airways early and active interest the necessary equipment would have required a minimum of 2 years from the date the first serious U.S military procurement interest was indicated to bring it from deign to the prototype stage for evaluation. 
 We trust that our association with your company will continue for many years to come and that important as this particular accomplishment is, many additional benefits will result from our joint efforts. 

Very truly yours, 
H.F SCHWARZ, President 
BEA HELICOPTERS, LTD., 
London, March 2, 1965 

Mr. R. L. Cummings, 
President, New York Airways, Inc., 
La Guardia Airport Station , N.Y
 DEAR MR.CUMMINGS: On behalf of the BEA Helicopters, Ltd., I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating New York Airways on the splendid progress that has been made with respect to the heliport of the roof of the Pan American Building in the Grand Central area of Manhattan. 
 Your courtesy in keeping us advised during this lengthy and carefully planned undertaking, including all the information derived on the wind tunnel and noise studies is greatly appreciated. However, it has been no more than typical of the collaboration between our two companies since the beginning which has had so much to do with the development of not only helicopters themselves, but also in our judgement, and possibly of equal importance, the maintenance and flying techniques, as well as methods for handling passengers and cargo. 
 The vertical takeoff flight techniques developed by new York Airways are the Worlds Fair rooftop heliport has greatly increased the commercial potential of helicopters. This has greatly assisted us in the planning and operations of our Penzanee/Scilly Isles scheduled passenger service using Sirkorsky S.61N helicopters. 
 Wishing you and your company every success in your future operations. 
Yours Sincerely, 
Balfour of Inchrye