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It has always been intended by Congress and by the Board that scheduled helicopter service be extended to other cities when passenger helicopter operations reached a stage of economic self-sufficiency.

A key reason for approving subsidy for helicopter operations in the country's three largest cities was that they be prototypes, accumulating sufficient operating experience and stimulating the manufacture of the better equipment needed for self-sufficient operation.

This point will be reached soon. Therefore, it is time to begin planning for expansion of scheduled helicopter operations to other cities.

Sometime near the end of the five years--perhaps in 1968--the CAB should actually lay the groundwork for expansion of helicopter service and its introduction into areas where it is needed.

Under CAB auspices, a study should be made of the most likely cities for helicopter service.

Careful advance planning should be done at the metropolitan, regional and national levels to develop optimum route structures. Efficient and safe locations should be set aside for heliports.

Exhaustive studies should be made of new applications of vertical-lift aircraft as a tool of intercity as well as intracity transport.

The helicopter is proving itself already in the tough job of urban transport. It has an even brighter future, not only as a tool of transport, but as a great industry employing thousands.

We should be planning for such a future now, rather than taking any steps which, by slowing down the pace of helicopter development in its most promising stage, will apply a brake to progress.

Thank you. -ATA-