“A Fantasy In The Sky!”

In the beginning, the innovative Los Angeles Airways, Inc. started offering speedy mail carrier service with six brand-new Bell 47D helicopters on August 20, 1949. The company soon grew to provide roof-top delivery of air mail with new Sikorsky S-51 helicopters. By that time, they operated three routes serving some 30 communities within a 50-mile radius of Los Angeles Municipal Airport. The unusual airline saved from 4½ to 19 hours on daily air mail deliveries. In pioneering helicopter air mail delivery, Los Angeles Airways, Inc. provided an entirely new type of service that not only met the requirements of public convenience and necessity, but was tailored to the specific needs of the area it served.

Pictured Above : This rare Vintage View was originally used to promote Los Angeles Airway’s upcoming passenger service, when the company was mainly a local mail courier service. The news of this reached other major cities, and one accompanying News caption (published in Cleveland, Ohio on March 30, 1951) read : “Clarence M. Berlinn, Head of Los Angeles Airways,which delivers Air Mail by helicopter in southern California, poses with one of his ships at Los Angeles International Airport. Belinn, who pioneered the “Eggbeater Mail” in this country, hopes to begin a helicopter passenger service in Los Angeles this summer.”

Operation costs were low, and by 1947 Los Angeles Airways (1947-1971) expanded their service in a whole new way to the Los Angeles County area! Yes, Los Angeles Airways became “the world’s first helicopter airline”, when it purchased and operated several of the first mass-produced civil helicopters - Sikorsky series S-51. The helicopters would link the civic center of Los Angeles with various metropolitan areas of Los Angeles County and Southern California area.

One of these destinations would carry passengers 27 miles southeast of Los Angeles to Anaheim, the "hub of happiness" and home to Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom - Disneyland! Passengers could now travel the 40 miles across Los Angeles to Disneyland in less than 20 minutes. Yes, beginning on December 1, 1955, Los Angeles Airways made it most convenient for the “first time visitor” or local area residents to travel both to and from Disneyland!

At that time, Los Angeles Airways operated “four helicopter flights daily [except Monday in seasons when Park is closed Mondays] each way between Los Angeles International Airport and Disneyland’s own heliport, carrying 7 to 9 passengers. Direct on-ramp connections with TWA and other major airline flights. Through bookings from most U.S. and many foreign cities.” [“Information For Your Visit To Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom Disneyland”, published 1955 by Disneyland Inc.]

By December of 1955, those four flights had expanded to include 12 arrivals and departures at Disneyland daily. According to The Disneyland News: “morning flights arrive at Disneyland from Los Angeles International every day except Sunday at 10 a.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:08 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. Sunday service is by two flights daily, at 1 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. Flights leave Disneyland for International Airport at 6:38 a.m., 10:03 a.m., 12:22 p.m., 4:48p.m. and 7:53 p.m. Sunday flights to the airport are at 1:03 p.m. and on the 7:53 p.m. helicopter.”

If you didn’t have an automobile, the typical local alternative was to board a Disneyland Motor Coach from Los Angeles to Disneyland. But Los Angeles Airways offered a more efficient (and scheduled) suburban airline service, with direct passenger connections between Los Angeles International Airport, and 20 direct Greater Los Angeles destinations including Disneyland Heliport! You know, some of the earliest Tomorrowland Rough Site Plan Drawings (as seen below) included a Helicopter Landing within the railroad tracks (and berm).

Because of site plans and drawings (like this one), many promotional materials and early licensed merchandise equated Tomorrowland with the sight of the helicopter.

Helicopters were not viewed as visual intrusions over the future world of 1986. This early Tomorrowland merchandise (like this board game) seemingly implied that the “Helicopter Port” was a part of Tomorrowland.

On “Dateline Disneyland” (aired July 17th, 1955), Art Linkletter mentioned, “Out this way, there’s a heliport, and actually, helicopters land there with their passengers from the International Airport.” He was (of course) referring to the first incarnation of Disneyland Heliport, located behind Tomorrowland. “News From Disneyland” (a press release document published c.1956) mentioned that “from Main Street Station you’ll look out over the 100-acre parking lot and the heliport” (indicating both its proximity to the parking lot, and visibility from inside the Park). This was where the Los Angeles Airways S-55 commercial Sikorsky helicopters (similar to the ones in the preceding photo) would land, during the first few years of operation.

Of course, the new service would go into effect since December 1, and gave Disneyland 12 arrivals and departures daily. Flight times were coordinated to make connections with maior cross country and coastwise airline flights. Morning flights would arrive at Disneyland from Los Angeles International every day except Sunday at 10 a.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:08 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. Sunday service was by two flights daily, at 1 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. Flights would leave Disneyland for International Airport at 6:38 a.m., 10:03 a.m., 12:22 p.m., 4:48 p.m. and 7:53 p.m. Sunday flights to the airport would start at 1:03 p.m. and on the 7:53 p.m. helicopter.

At the Grand Opening of the Disneyland Hotel (in 1956), the new Disneyland Heliport (west of Disneyland Park) officially opened! The Disneyland Stamp Book (published 1956) featured a collectable stamp picturing one of these very Sikorsky models landing at the new Disneyland Heliport! The new Disneyland Heliport (at the Disneyland Hotel) and of these Sikorsky’s can also readily be seen preserved on film, as it lands, in “Disneyland, U.S.A.” (a “People and Places” feature film, released in the U.S. on December 20, 1956 through Buena Vista Film Distribution Company).

Los Angeles Airways was by-far the classiest, fastest, and safest way to travel from LA to Disneyland (for instance, during 1955, Los Angeles Airways was the first certified airline to take the liberty of outfitting their new S-55s with windshield wipers). Sikorskys also bore a unique rotor configuration, which has become a standard in the aviation industry. Walt Disney himself believed much in Los Angeles Airways and their top-notch fleet, that he personally endorsed Los Angeles Airways, by riding as a passenger aboard one of their Sikorskys (N736A) from Los Angeles to Disneyland as far back as 1955! By Disneyland’s 1-year anniversary in 1956, the Official Guide to Disneyland announced that “airline tickets can be bought from any place in the world direct to Disneyland. . . five helicopter flights arrive daily at the Disneyland Heliport.” “The Disneyland News” (Vol.2, No.2 ; August, 1955) ran an advertisement for “the fast, convenient way to Disneyland… only 20 minutes.” The following year, another advertisement (published in Disneyland Holiday magazine ; Spring, 1957) continued to herald the, “Fast, Convenient, Only 20 Minutes to Disneyland”! Guests need only consult individual companies for information and time schedules.

Here, highly decorated U.S. combat soldier Audie Murphy and family board a Los Angeles Airways S-55 at Disneyland Heliport, in 1955, preparing for a twenty-minute trip.

In 1957, even Uncle Scrooge flew his McDuck Airlines Helicopter to Disneyland, landing at the Disneyland Heliport.

In these early days, the helicopter pad (or, “Heliport”) was located just north of Harbor House (also known as Harbor Point), on Harbor Boulevard, just outside the Harbor Gate and south of the Manchester Gate. From a guest perspective, the Heliport with Heliport Waiting Building was on the other side of parking lot bordering the present-day location of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World Diorama. The entrance to the Heliport was located behind the backstage area of Tomorrowland, with the Tomorrowland Skyway Station in view. The proximity of the Heliport to Tomorrowland was so nearby, that Tanner Gray Line brochures of the era included a brief description of “where ‘copters’ land and take off” among Tomorrowland’s attractions.

“Guest Services and Accommodations”

Guest Services and Accommodations included both telephones and restrooms in the Heliport Station.

By September 28, 1958, some $650 of land improvements (a fence) had been made to the Heliport. In addition, new signs (job #4010-513) were added to the Heliport at a cost of $110. During this era, the Los Angeles Airways Heliport yielded revenue for Disneyland Inc. - for instance $325 for the fiscal year (52 weeks) ending September 28, 1958 and $300 for the fiscal year (52 weeks) ending September 29, 1959.

Souvenir Charms (intended for jewelry or other decorative purposes) commemorated many of Disneyland’s attractions, while some (like this Helicopter-shaped charm) commemorated the Disneyland Hotel.

The helicopters were “Good Show” - supporting a positive Disney image! By 1956, promotional photos by Mel Kilpatrick captured Walt and Charlie Pearson greet incoming helicoptor guests. Disneyland Holiday Magazine was a favorite souvenir of Disneyland guests who loved “color pictures of Disneyland.” Among those (published Winter, 1957-1958) was this image of one of Los Angeles Airways’ Sikorsky S-55’s flying near Tomorrowland, granting guests a view “of things to come in the world of 1987.” It seems that the helicopters were a Disneyland and Tomorrowland attraction - part of the theme park experience.

By October of 1959, the company was (1) of over sixty-eight other firms playing a vital part in the team effort to bring happiness to Disneyland’s Guests. Some were small, specialized individual operators; some were huge companies such as Swift & Co. - the Bank of America - United Paramount Theaters (which you hear as UPT) - Carnation - Richfield - General Dynamics - Crane - and many others. These companies used the park to publicize their wares, leased space in the Park to sell their wares, and Disneyland collected advertising fees from them.

“The Sikorsky 61-L Copter Liner”

By 1960, those piston-powered S-55s were still in use by Los Angeles Airways. However, a new Sikorsky production prototype was tested on December 6, 1960 that would revolutionize travel. These new luxurious Sikorskys were designed from the start specifically for airline use and to airline standards - capable of carrying 3 crew members, 28 passengers, and 1000 pounds of cargo. Each one had a General Electric turbine-powered, twin-engine, advertised as “quiet, comfortable, safe!” In April, 1961. the 200-hour tie-down test was completed within 20 days. A provisional Type Certificate was awarded on May 22, 19st, and on June 21 the Type Inspection Authorization was received, with the Final F.A.A. Certificate to follow.

Los Angeles Airways president C.M. Belinn was optimistic about these new helicopters, and expected a growth of “one thousand per cent the first full year of operation and 2000% by the end of the second year.” Five brand new Sikorsky 61-L turbocopters boasting “twin-turbine reliability…all weather flight capability” were expected to be in use by Los Angeles Airways during late 1961. Starting in November of 1961, the first of four S-61L Sikorskys were delivered to the airline. The following year in March of 1962, the airway began operating the S-61Ls.

By 1961, Los Angeles Airways’ passenger Sikorsky “Copter Liners” had carried more than 2,000,000 passengers over 60,000,000 miles, in a “convenient, relaxed way…over freeway jams.” By this time, Los Angeles Airways was making 60 flights per day from Los Angeles International Airport to Disneyland (at $15 for one round-trip fare), Anaheim - and total one-way time, was an astounding 15 minutes (though some historians claim that there were“22 flights a day” to and from Disneyland! That very same year (of 1961), Disneyland’s decision makers were also so confident in Los Angeles Airways’ Sikorsky fleet, that the Disneyland Hotel was given its own Heliport, which accommodated 2 helicopters at one time. The third copter-liner arrived by May of 1962, and by the end of the month, the three had flown a total of 1,597 hours of airtime. The fourth (and final) helicopter was delivered to the company on July 10, 1962.

The helicopters over Disneyland were so popular that when (in 1960) the Los Angeles Sound Effects Company produced a record of sounds (of popular Southern California attractions, intended for use by filmmakers), the Los Angeles Airways Sikorskys were among the tracks included. You may have heard these very sounds over radio or television broadcasts from 1960 onward! A Sikorsky-style commercial helicopter was even featured on this (c.1966) post-Tencennial Disneyland map (below)!

Perhaps Los Angeles Airways’ most frequented destination is highlighted on the cover of the 1960 service schedule. A graphic of the piston-powered S-55 is depicted, though the Sikorsky 61-L turbocopters were due to be in use by the time this schedule was printed and distributed.

International travelers could avail themselves of United Airlines, to reach the Southern California area. Once visitors arrived, Los Angeles Airways’ network of Heliports offered quick and comfortable transportation to many destinations including “the happiest place on earth”.

Service was offered to more Southern California residents and their guests, when helicopters began to make regular journeys to and from Los Angeles and Heliports in other Southern California counties (i.e. San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and Orange County).

An entire page of the operation schedule is dedicated to flights both to and from Los Angeles Airport and Disneyland.

Other information about fares, baggage, insurance and other details give a better idea of the accommodations offered by Los Angeles Airways, to its passengers.

According to this children’s souvenir coupon, a 1/2 fare (1-way) was $3.15 (including tax).

Late afternoon and early evening flights departed Disneyland Heliport. The Heliport was originally located where the Disneyland Employee Parking Lot (Section A) came to be located. Early daytime departures were also available from the Disneyland Heliport.

One of thirteen Sikorsky S-61L series helicopters built by Sikorsky between 1958 and 1980. This pictured Sikorsky (registration number N302Y) began service during March of 1962. Guided Tour Scripts of 1962 even drew attention to the new attraction :

“The helicopters you may see flying overhead today offer daily flight service to and from the Los Angeles International Airport. The helicopter landing pad is adjacent to the Disneyland Hotel just across West Street.”

“Come on, everybody, here we go!”

Los Angeles Airways Sikorsky S-61L rises above the Disneyland Heliport and surrounding orange trees. “55er” John Hernandez spent most of his time at Disneyland with Virl Casey looking after the acres of Disneyland's oranges, some of which were on the 15 acres where the Heliport was.

“You can fly! You can fly! You can fly!”

Seen here, is a typical Vacationland Public Transportation Information Section, mentioning Los Angeles Airways as an alternative form of transportation from L.A. Airport to Disneyland. Vacationland was a free publication, distributed to Southern California hotels and visitor centers. This sort of information was regularly included in the publication.

The interior of the the Sikorsky 61-L was more spacious than other helicopters used by commercial airline companies. The Sikorsky 61-L had seating to comfortably accommodate 26 to 28 passengers, a luggage compartment, a storeroom, and even a lavatory (or, toilet).

The Sikorsky would circle around Disneyland. In the foreground, you’ll spot the structures which line Main Street U.S.A., leading to Sleeping Beauty Castle!

This was a typical view from a passenger window seat, as the Sikorsky rose above the Disneyland Hotel.

One publication once stated that “from the air, we can get the clear layout of Disneyland in our minds”. Passengers of Los Angeles Airways’ helicopters received a fantastic aerial view of Walt Disney’s “magic kingdom” in Anaheim. Maybe you can point out Monsanto Plastics Home of the Future, the PeopleMover’s tracks, or the Matterhorn (“the highest point in Disneyland”) from this height.

“Los Angeles Airways - Flying High”

The July 1962 issue of FLYING carried significant news for commercial aviation and the general public of the greater Los Angeles area! The cover touted the commercial airline Los Angeles Airways, who had become the first civil operator of a fleet of five $650,000 Sikorski S-61s back in March. These new commercial twin-engine, turbine-powered helicopters came with an increased payload capability, and several new safety features that allowed for all-weather operation. One of the main safety additions was partially housed into the Main Rotor Blades themselves. These Main Rotor Blades were filled with compressed air at the Sikorsky plant, so that (if the blade was later damaged, and the slightest pressure lost), a warning was given through the Pressure Gauge before lift-off.

Los Angeles Airways soon officially inaugurated its Sikorsky S-62 turbocopter service - the third generation of Sikorskys to service L.A.A.! Each helicopter carried nine passengers, had the capability to cruise at 100 miles per hour, and offered a range of 285 miles. In addition, these new turbocopters could land on water (or any service) in case of emergency, and could carry a 90% greater load than Los Angeles Airways “piston-powered S-55s, for the same fuel cost at 28% higher speed”.

Yes, this was the “high point” of classy commercial flights to and from Disneyland!

Helicarrier services courtesy of Sikorsky passenger helicopters were really “taking off” in major cities during the 1960s. A little less than 3,000 miles away from Disneyland, a civilian Sikorsky S-61 Sightseeing Helicopter lands atop the Port Authority pavilion at the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair!

We’re here because, once landed, we’re afforded a brief peek inside its cabin.

“The Tragic Flight of Los Angeles Airways 61031”

However, just five years after the aforementioned photograph was taken (and after twelve years of service to Disneyland), something terrible would happen that would end this form of transportation to the happiest place on earth. The demise of Los Angeles Airways flights to Disneyland came when one Sikorsky 61L (registration number N300Y, serial number 61031) was involved in a fatal crash on the evening of August 14th, 1968.

Tragically (and mournfully), eighteen passengers and three crew members lost their lives, while en route to Los Angeles International Airport from Disneyland. Mechanical failure was determined to be the cause of this devastating and horrific crash. The National Transportation Safety Board specifically attributed the incident to “fatigue failure of one rotor blade, which resulted in separation of the blade”. The helicopter could not be controlled and quickly fell from the sky. It is unclear if negligence was involved, if the sensor malfunctioned, or if the stress and failure was undetected and sudden. Whatever the case, countless lives were affected and changed forever by this catastrophic event. From 1951 to 1968, there hadn’t been any notable incidents involving commercial Sikorsky helicopters. However, during 1968 there were two situations resulting in many fatalities (the aforementioned one, and another Sikorski S-61L in Paramount). Both of these Sikorskis were in the service of Los Angeles Airways.

“The End of An Era”

Disneyland Guest Hotel Directories continued to list the telephone extension for Los Angeles Airways up to September of 1970. However, not even Golden West’s “eleventh hour” attempt to acquire Los Angeles Airways could save the helicopter commuter airline from what would happen next. The deal fell through, and would result in the demise of Los Angeles Airways airline operation during 1971. Golden West would only briefly take over helicopter operations for a mere five more months, but it was the end of an era (not only for Los Angeles Airways, but) for helicopter flights to and from Disneyland. By the summer of 1971, Vacationland magazine (published three times yearly by Walt Disney Productions and distributed to more than 1,500 hotels, motels, and leading tourist attractions) had stopped advertising Los Angeles Airways’ “Helicarrier service” among the public transportation alternatives serving Disneyland.

However, this wasn’t the end of Igor Sikorsky’s Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (which was the world’s first mass-producer of helicopters, since 1942). They would go on to manufacture many aircraft designs, such as its 61-L. This particular model is still utilized for military, industrial, and civilian applications to this very day!

Notwithstanding the tragic commercial incidents, the Sikorsky continued a trusted helicopter manufacturer by the greater public opinion. In fact, their aircraft was in use by the United States Military, some local government agencies, and businesses since the 1940s. This military Sikorsky image was captured during a test flight, c. late 1960s.

Other commercial helicopter companies (like AirSpur) continued to offer service from select Southern California airports to the vicinity of the MAGIC KINGDOM®. AirSpur’s state-of-the-art 30 Westland helicopters were IFR certified and powered by Rolls Royce GEM engines. The headline which accompanied this photograph described these modern commercial helicopters this way :

“Designed especially for AirSpur’s passenger service, the Wetland 30s afford wide-body airline comfort, approximately six feet of headroom and ample storage for luggage underneath the 16 passenger seats. The helicopter’s capacity permits all passenger luggage to be hand carried aboard or routed and interlined by AirSpur to connecting flights.”

Though AirSpur’s sophisticated helicopter made passes over Disneyland, the days of the Disneyland Heliport were just a memory a bygone era!

The helicopters returned to Disneyland on Saturday, January 26, 1991, as The Disneyland Hotel northern Parking Area hosted “Helicopter Awareness Day,” “which was organized by the ‘Professional Helicopter Pilots’ Association and the Helicopter Association International.” A mini-tower was set up to direct the traffic - “three military helicopters…two were shipboard copters from the Navy, and the third was a sea rescue craft from the Coast Guard. Thirty local police, fire, rescue, medical and news team crafts were on static display. Approximately 6,000 people in attendance got the chance to examine the crafts and chat with the pilots, which included Commander Chuck Street, who brought KIIS FM’s ‘Yellow Thunder,’” according to Disneyland LINE Magazine (Vol. 23, No. 6 ; February 8, 1991).

Here’s one more Disney and Los Angeles Airport connection. During the heyday of Los Angeles Airways, this was at the center of the destination. The Theme Building (and its restaurant) was designed in 1959 (with the help of Dorothea Holt Redmond), and dedicated in 1961.

Decades later, the Walt Disney Company’s story and LAX would cross paths. A $4 million renovation of the Theme Building (courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering), brought the Encounter Restaurant to the airport facility in 1997.