Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-17
Senate Group
Study Of
He|iport Sites
Lawmakers Urged
To Prepare for
BOOMING Traffic
BY GRACE BASSETT
star stan Writer

by nnhNE bhSSEIL
star stan Writer
A Senate subcommittee to-
day unanimously approved a
study by the District Commits
sioners OF heliport sites in
Washington.
| Legislation authorizing such
q survey to be completed by
June 30. 1859. must be cleared
by the full committee before
q Senate vote.
The Business and Commerce
Subcommittee. headed by SEN
ator Beail. Republican Of Mary
land. acted after four witnesses
urged the lawmakers to pre-
pare now for booming metro
politan helicopter traffic OF the
future.
Already. Pilgrim Helicopter
Services, Inc. charters flights
to and from Washington, John
B. Hichborn. company presi-
dent, testified. His copters
land at one port at Virginia
avenue and Twenty sixth street
NV. and another at Third
and @ street S.W.
Future Demands
These sites do now, he said,
but future demands will neces-
state municipal ports for
scheduled service as well as
suburban and perimeter ports
for charter fights.
Mr.. Hichborn dubbed the
Mall and the Tidal Basin as
ideal" locations for future
landings. But Federal planners
have told him that they viii
fight against helicopter noises
deteriorating national memo
rial areas.
II understand that view
point" Mr.. Hichborn said.
Eventually, We may have float
ing facilities on the rivers or
heliports in the redeveloped
Southwest area"
He recommended against
rooftop heliports, such as has
been proposed by D. C. Transit
President o. Roy Chalk,
because of safety hazards.
HelicopterS can maneuver,
out they need more than mini
mum space specified by the
National Helicopter Council. ac-
cording to Mr.. Hichborn.
Joseph Mashman. speaking
for the council, said a plot rs
feet square was required for
copters up to IL passengers.
He said l00-foot square land
ing tracts were needed for ma
chimes. regularly scheduled.
serving large metropolitan
areas.
Such helicopters now operate
in Los Angeles. Chicago and
New York at speeds Of 100 miles
an hour. Mr.. Mashman said.
The craft range from $50 to
200 miles. he added.
I'VE all realize the helicopter
is a coming machine" another
witness. Harry Bernard, flight
operations specialist, of the
Civil Aeronautics Administra-
ton told the subcommittee.
I'VE firmly believe helicopter
traffic. given great impetus by
the Korean conflict. will serve
all metropolitan areas in the
future"
Like Hailing Taxis
The subcommittee was told
that before long, metropolitan
residents will hail helicopters
in the same way they now hail
taxicabs.
Senator Beall. who sponsored
the study measure. said the
bill was amended to comply
with suggestions Of the Com
missioners. Originally. 1t called
on city heads to make the sur
vey alone. AS rewritten. the
National Capital Planning
Commission and the CAA will
work jointly with the Commits
sioners.
Stan aides also were d.
rected to write into the pro-
poSal language authorizing an
appropriation for the study.
No amount was specified. The
Commissioners presumably will
seek a supplemental appropria-
ton for their budget running
through the year to begin July
/. If Congress gives the heliport
study 60 ahead.
Assistant Corporation Coun-
sci Irving Bryan. appearing for
the Commissioners. said the
city heads we're anxious to have
the benefit Of a current CAA
Investigation of heliport FEAST
bility at National Airport be-
fore proceeding.