Los Angeles Airways
Encyclopedia
Los Angeles Airways was a helicopter
airline
that was based in Westchester, Los Angeles
, California
. Los Angeles Airways offered services to area airports as well as Disneyland
from Los Angeles International Airport
and the heliport at the Newporter Resort, now the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Newport Beach, California
. LAA is noted for several firsts, including the first regularly scheduled helicopter mail service on October 1, 1947 In addition LAA was the first civil operator of the Sikorsky S-61
introducing them on March 1, 1962 for a purchased price of $650,000 each.
Los Angeles Airways ceased operations in 1971 after failure to consummate a contract in which it would have been purchased by Golden West Airlines
.
Passengers boarded, in thousands, scheduled flights only: 30 in 1957, 39 in 1960, 396 in 1967, 62 in 1970.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
that was based in Westchester, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Los Angeles Airways offered services to area airports as well as Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Anaheim)
Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still almost universally referred to by that name, it is the only theme park to be...
from Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
and the heliport at the Newporter Resort, now the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
. LAA is noted for several firsts, including the first regularly scheduled helicopter mail service on October 1, 1947 In addition LAA was the first civil operator of the Sikorsky S-61
Sikorsky S-61
The Sikorsky S-61L and S-61N are civil variants of the successful SH-3 Sea King helicopter. They are two of the most widely used airliner and oil rig support helicopters built.-Design and development:...
introducing them on March 1, 1962 for a purchased price of $650,000 each.
Los Angeles Airways ceased operations in 1971 after failure to consummate a contract in which it would have been purchased by Golden West Airlines
Golden West Airlines
Golden West Airlines was a commuter airline that operated flights on a heavy schedule in California. It ceased operations in 1983.- History :...
.
Passengers boarded, in thousands, scheduled flights only: 30 in 1957, 39 in 1960, 396 in 1967, 62 in 1970.
Accidents
- On May 22, 1968 Los Angeles Airways Flight 841Los Angeles Airways Flight 841Los Angeles Airways Flight 841 was a Sikorsky S-61L helicopter that crashed at 5:50 p.m. on May 22, 1968 in the city of Paramount, California. All twenty passengers and three crewmembers were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire...
crashed in Paramount, CaliforniaParamount, CaliforniaParamount is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. According to the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 54,098 down from 55,266 at the 2000 census...
resulting in the loss of 23 lives. The accident aircraft, , serial number 61060, was a Sikorsky S-61L. - On August 14, 1968 Los Angeles Airways Flight 417Los Angeles Airways Flight 417Los Angeles Airways Flight 417 was a helicopter that crashed on August 14, 1968 in the city of Compton, California. All eighteen passengers and three crewmembers were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire. According to the National Transportation Safety Board the...
crashed in Compton, CaliforniaCompton, CaliforniaCompton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
resulting in the loss of 21 lives. The accident aircraft, , serial number 61031, was the prototype of the Sikorsky S-61L.