Existing comment:
Commercial Helicopter Operations
Initial Efforts:
During World War II, some manufacturers anticipated a postwar civil helicopter boom. However, high operating costs caused most early commercial helicopter operations to fail. The industry continued to rely on the military to foster innovation and provide large production contracts. Thus, most civil helicopters were modified military models. Initially, civil helicopters were used mainly in the exploitation of natural resources and for crop spraying. Today they also fill niches in utility maintenance, wildlife/livestock management, aerial firefighting, policing, medical evacuation, news gathering, VIP transport, sightseeing, film production, and as flying cranes. |