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382    HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM

competing modes of transportation to cover operating costs of advanced vertical-lift aircraft. In order to bring this about, however, it will be necessary to demonstrate clearly the advantages of vertical-lift aircraft in intercity travel as they might appear to the traveling public and to the airline management. This means the assurance of still lower aircraft operating costs, greater operational dependability in all kinds of weather and the existence of convenient heliports which will make "downtown-to-downtown" operations a reality. The operations of present helicopter carriers in air-port transportation service will provide significant evidence of progress to be made toward meeting these intercity requirements. (Chapter V, pages V-1 through V-12.) 

10. A subject worthy of further study is that of the potential trade-offs within the entire air transportation system whereby it might be found desirable to substitute vertical-lift aircraft flights for fixed-wing flights over short stage lengths into super-metropolitan areas, thus leaving the fixed-wing airports free to handle an increased volume of medium and long-haul flights. The present costs of aircraft and passenger delay at our major air terminals are huge and growing as are the costs of reducing such delay through conventional means of adding additional runway and terminal air space. The use of vertical-lift aircraft in short-haul intercity operations represents an area of potential relief through a more efficient utilization of ground and air space. What is required for a recognition of these potential benefits is a systems approach to the problem which could accommodate a measurement of cost/benefit trade-off possibilities involving the accelerating of vehicle design in order to effect reductions in the cost of providing additional airport and terminal air space. However, no such approach is now possible in the decision-making process involved in the procurement process of the individual components of our air transportation facilities system - the airport, the air traffic control system and the vehicle. (Chapter V, pages V-13 through V-17.)

11. A recognition of these indirect benefits could result in an accelerated development of commercial vertical-lift aircraft resulting in greater pay loads, higher speeds, lower operating costs and a higher degree of operational performance than we have visualized for intercity operations in this study. Such a development could result in bringing the advantages of air transportation to a much larger segment of the traveling public, particularly in areas of severe surface traffic congestion. (Chapter V, page V-17.) 

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