66 Miracles Ahead! 



near the ground while careful studies are made of topography, 

 and rescue persons from crashes in inaccessible places. The 

 helicopter's work for the Army during the war should speed 

 the development of a model for civilian use when the war 

 is over. 



"The helicopter may be a vital factor in the period of 

 demobilization of the aircraft industry after the war, permit- 

 ting the utilization of facilities and the employment of a 

 gradually increasing part of the trained personnel which will 

 become available," declares Mr. Sikorsky. "Once they are in 

 mass production, helicopters will cost about as much as 

 medium-priced cars, and they are more adaptable to assembly 

 line methods than the conventional plane." 



Mr. Sikorsky visualizes a practical postwar helicopter, seat- 

 ing from twelve to twenty persons, as an "aerial taxi" which 

 will meet the larger higher-speed air liners of today at various 

 terminals and carry passengers to virtually any designated 

 location. He declared the helicopter has limitless possibilities 

 as an aerial "commuting" vehicle. If Mr. Sikorsky's ideas are 

 developed, they will answer the complaint of one business- 

 man who told of making a four-hour trip by air liner from 

 Chicago to New York and then spending almost that much 

 time battling New York City traffic from La Guardia Field 

 to his home across the Hudson River in New Jersey. The 

 helicopter's ability to operate in crowded areas, and still avoid 

 traffic jams, should make it increasingly popular in large cities. 



The Sikorsky helicopter is not designed for high-speed, 

 long-range transportation of heavy loads. It may never carry 

 more than twelve to twenty persons or their equivalent in 

 freight. The top speed of the Sikorsky helicopter will prob- 

 ably be around one hundred and forty to one hundred and 

 fifty miles per hour. It will, however, take over short hauls of 

 light freight and express. 



"There will be special delivery of perishable food to your 



