125 Days Golden West Airlines Anaheim Operation
Golden West Airlines, owned by the Westgate Corporation, which was into real estate and banking, and also owned Air California wanted to get around the weight restriction imposed on Air Taxi operators of 21,500 lbs. This pretty much restricted them to Air Craft no larger than the Twin Otters. One way around that restriction was to pick up L. A. Airways part 121 certificate which required resuming Helicopter operations to Anaheim.
Golden West spruced up the Anaheim Heliport, put 2 S-61's in top notch mechanical condition in addition to new paint jobs, nicely re-upholstered seats and hired some pretty stewardesses.
I assembled my old Anaheim crew, and contacted all the local businesses, travel agents and airline city ticket offices in the Disneyland Hotel. The loads did not return, and after 125 days of operation the CAB removed the 21,500 lb weight restriction on air taxi operators and this time the Anaheim Heliport was closed for good.
Eventually I wound up with Hughes Airwest in Las Vegas which of course became Republic Airlines and off I went to Detroit. Northwest Airlines bought Republic and I transferred
back to Los Angeles.
Gary Wilson and Al Checci did their LBO of Northwest and I re-connected with Fred Milam and found out Carson was selling 2 of "our" S-61's. The Anaheim Heliport was still intact, Gary Wilson had Disney connections, I talked with Jack Hicks and he was on board to get Los Angeles Airport approval of Helicopter operations at Northwest's terminal 2 . I put together a VHS video tape of my plan to present to Al Checci who was coming to LAX to talk to Northwest employees. I personally handed it to him, never got an answer and could never reach him again. I am in the process of converting that video to be available in DVD format soon. Mike Minear
Golden West spruced up the Anaheim Heliport, put 2 S-61's in top notch mechanical condition in addition to new paint jobs, nicely re-upholstered seats and hired some pretty stewardesses.
I assembled my old Anaheim crew, and contacted all the local businesses, travel agents and airline city ticket offices in the Disneyland Hotel. The loads did not return, and after 125 days of operation the CAB removed the 21,500 lb weight restriction on air taxi operators and this time the Anaheim Heliport was closed for good.
Eventually I wound up with Hughes Airwest in Las Vegas which of course became Republic Airlines and off I went to Detroit. Northwest Airlines bought Republic and I transferred
back to Los Angeles.
Gary Wilson and Al Checci did their LBO of Northwest and I re-connected with Fred Milam and found out Carson was selling 2 of "our" S-61's. The Anaheim Heliport was still intact, Gary Wilson had Disney connections, I talked with Jack Hicks and he was on board to get Los Angeles Airport approval of Helicopter operations at Northwest's terminal 2 . I put together a VHS video tape of my plan to present to Al Checci who was coming to LAX to talk to Northwest employees. I personally handed it to him, never got an answer and could never reach him again. I am in the process of converting that video to be available in DVD format soon. Mike Minear
Golden West Airlines Announcement of Helicopter Service to Anaheim
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