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362   HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM

interest is really the most reliable guarantee of the success of any cooperative program.

One major trunk has recently put on a "helicopter month" to train its sales personnel on the importance of selling helicopter service. Others are working on joint rates with fare absorptions of various degrees. These joint rates already result in payments of more than $1 million annually by the trunks to the helicopters. No doubt further development and more widespread application of joint rates aren eeded and will come about. Some airlines are planning to go even further and, for example, guarantee traffic on a certain number of seats on a certain number of flights per day from the Pan Am roof.

I think it is fair to say that this sales program is in its very early stages. Ideas will feed ideas as we go along. More joint fares, perhaps more guaranteed flights, certainly more sales campaigns are in the future as part of the program to help the helicopters obtain the volume they need to become self-sufficient. The airlines have seen this as their role in the helicopter development program-- helping to deliver a substantial part of the volume needed to multiply the helicopter business to the point of self-sufficiency.

At the same time, there is still a period of technological development to go through. Greater regularity of schedules, further cost reduction and better performance in poor weather are assured. This improvement in the state of the art will make possible an even more vigorous, and I should say successful, sales campaign.

If the increase in helicopter volume required to make the CAB's program a success is developed, the airlines-- and this includes trunklines, helicopter airlines-- will have helped to create a new dimension for the economy. To achieve this goal, the utmost cooperation of Government, airlines, manufacturers and helicopter companies is needed. We believe this new dimension in the economy of sufficient merit to warrant continued partnership from the Federal Government in the form of a declining amount of seed money.

I can only conclude by saying for ATA that we stand ready, as ever, to cooperate with this Committee.

With your leadership, Mr. Chairman, this committee is doing a great job in helping this program on its way.

This new technology for leaping over the tangle of urban traffic strangulation must not be allowed to fall by the wayside.

Senator MONRONEY. Thank you very much, Mr. Tipton, for that fine statement, and for the offer that ATA stands ready to help organize and to cooperate with the Government in trying to find ways of meeting this serious problem.

There has been considerable interest. I have a telegram here from the president of the TWA addressed to Senator Monroney:

We in TWA have been following the progress of your subcommittee hearings on the helicopter subsidy problem. I read with interest your statement expressing concern for the future continued operation of the helicopter carriers. We share your concern and TWA would be happy to cooperate to the fullest extent in industry discussions with you and the CAB to determine what of a positive nature the trunk carriers might do to assist in the development of helicopter service to self-sufficiency within the timetable outlined by the CAB.

That will give you a sample of the position of some of your membership-- of how they regard this. It is signed by Mr. Charles Tillinghast, president, TWA.