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422 HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM

Benefits to the Military Services
Public benefits of a more tangible nature are those which have accrued as a result of commercial and military development of vertical-lift aircraft. Recognition of these benefits is particularly important in view of the fact that one of the ogjectives in the certification of the helicopter carriers originally was to assist in the development of rotary-wing aircraft for national defense purposes.

Recognition at this time of the benefits of the concurrent civil and military programs is essential in view of the face that the applications of veritcal-lift aircraft to civil and military transportation problems are new, in comparison with the applications with have been made by fixed-wing aircraft. In this initial period of development of helicopter aircraft for military missions, the existence of a concurrent scheduled commercial carrier operation with its high-utilication and high-performance standards has been of substantial benefit to the military. The availability of such a commercial test-bed program has enabled the military organization to effect substantial dollar savings through the extension of overhaul periods on majoy components and in the reduction in maitenance costs.

Other benefits have flowed to the military as a result of theses concurrent programs. The certificated carriers have assisted the Department of Defense

"....in developing aperating techniques and training programs; in establishing parts usage for provisioning and budgetary purposes; in provoding direct training, direct data, and direct product improvements assistance."1

Benefits will flow to commercial aviation as a result of this concurrent development of civil and military programs. Commercial vertical-lift operations will benefit from military research and development programs in a manner similar to the benefits which have been so derived in fixed-wing operations.

The adaptability of helicopters in fulfilling special military tasks has been demonstrated with a resulting build-up in present military inventory and aircraft procurement. The future role of the helicopter and other vertical and short-takeoff aircraft in military tasks is assured. In commercial operations the helicopter similarly has demonstrated an ability to perfom specific needed transportation tasks. The concurrent development of civil and commercial programs should continue far beyond the initial stage.

Recognition of the continuous mutual benefits to be obtained from concurrent civil and military helicopter programs was given recently by a Department of Defense representative in the recent Chicago Helicopter Renerwal proceeding. Mr. Elmer J. Bannick, Chief of the Rotary Wing Observation and Utility Division, Directorate of Engineering, US Transportation Material Command stated:

"Scheduled helicopter service by commercial operators who employ aircraft incorporating components common with its utilization by the military (engines, clutches, transmissions, drive shafts, rotor blades, etc.) contribute materially to the over-all development of those items in terms of service life. Such a scheduled operations, with their attendent high aircraft utilization rate, accumulate operating experience at a far greater rate than is possible by military during a normal peacetime operating experience. The data that is thereby developed can be used by the aircraft manufacturer to improve the reliability, durability, and safety of his product. This leads to extension of service life for components common to commercial and military use with the

1 Statement of Vertical lift Aircraft Council to Civil Aeronautics Board, February 14, 1962

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