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HELICOPTER SALES LIMITED 

DIRECTORS
I. A. F. DONNELLY
M.S.M.A.. A. R. AE. S.
REAR ADM. O. R. F. CAMBELL 
C. S.. D. B. C.. R.N. (RET'D)
W. G. L. FORWOOD. M. A.. L. B.
AIR VICE MARSHAL H. A. V. HOGAN
C. B.. D. F. C

TELEPHONE: BELGRAVIA 6477/6478
CABLES: HELICOPTER LONDON/S.W.I

2. LOWNDES STREET
LONDON, S.W.I

[[stamp]]

Mr. R. Wheatland,
New York Airways, Inc.,
P.O. Box 426
La Guardia Airport Station,
New York,
U.S.A.

Dear Dick,

A fairly interesting situation is developing on the North Sea Front where Bristow has collared all bar one of the contracts, the one outstanding one going from Shell to BEA in conjunction with Okanagan.

Bristow will have about twenty known Whirlwinds committed, and I am pretty certain he is crossing his fingers hoping that the Ministry of Aviation are not going to insist on multi-engine operations.

I believe he has given Westlands a Letter of Intent to purchase two or three twin Gnome Wessex's, but I very much doubt whether these will be certified and available for delivery by the time Winter operations are in full swing, and if he is lucky he might get away with it.

However, regardless of whether or not one of his single-engine machines winds up in the North Sea, I have a feeling that the crews are going to be extremely concerned about their safety, and will use the single-engine service as an excuse for demanding danger money, or alternatively flatly refuse to fly in other than flat calm weather conditions. 

Apart from this reaction, the Ministry is insisting that all passengers wear immersion suits, and as you probably know, the donning and doffing of this type of gear is tedious in the extreme and is not likely to have any great passenger appeal.

Continued...