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HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM 275

Senator MONRONEY. Who did that? Who is in charge of the helicopter business? Who is in charge of the FAA helicopter operations that would cut out any Decca aid or that would refuse a one-engine performance going into Grant Park? I would like to know who that guy is. 

Mr. MOORE. I am sorry I don’t have the name at the moment. It is under Mr. Quesada, when he was administrator.

Senator MONRONEY. We will get one of the staff to get that. We will add him to the list of witnesses for tomorrow. We want to find out why Grant Park was turned down as a possible heliport. If you had twin engines did he say you could come into Grant, or you just can’t come in?

Mr. MOORE. They indicated that when we has twin-engine aircraft—

Senator MONRONEY. Did you have arrangements made with the city of Chicago. 

Mr. MOORE. Yes, sir, with the Patk District. 

Senator MONRONEY. So there is a heliport now that will accept twin-engine performance jobs in Grant Park?

Mr. MOORE. The matter would have to reopened with the Park District at this time to make sure that we could reestablish at that particular heliport. We have that on our agenda just as soon as we feel we can move ahead with it. 

Senator MONRONEY. Okay.

Mr. MOORE. CHA has previous,y had joint fares covering the Midway-O’Hare interairport route with the international carriers then serving Chicago; namely, Pan American, TWA, BOAC and Air France. Under those joint fares, the international carrier absorbed 96 percent of the $6 helicopter fare for passengers to Europe and 98 percent of the fare for passengers to South America. These joint fare arrangements were terminated when Midway Airport was deactivated, but are expected to be resumed when Midway becomes more active. 

Appendix C shows other ways in which the trunk lines are assisting CHA and the other helicopter carriers in developing traffic. United Air Lines declared last November as “Helicopter Month” on its system, during which an extensive program was launched for interlink training, advertising, and sales promotion. CHA has been active on this United program, being the helicopter carrier based in Chicago near United. 

Appendix D contains brochures which have been given wide circulation by both United and American advertising and promoting the helicopter services provided by the four helicopter carriers. 

CLOSER-IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO HELIPORT

CHA can become self sustaining regardless of whether a closer-in heliport becomes available in downtown Chicago. However, the availability of such a heliport will substantially increase the airport to downtown helicopter traffic. 

Senator MONRONEY. I wouldn’t settle for Meigs Airport. You might as well be out at Midway, almost. It is farther out, but you have throughways now running out to Meigs, and out to O’Hare.