When Cessnas Wore Rotors

摘要

The name Cessna evokes images of single- and twin-engine airplanes and business jets―never helicopters. But Cessna built several dozen helicopters, one of which has held a world aviation record for 45 years. In 1951, Cessna president Dwane Wallace coveted a share of the burgeoning helicopter market, but the company lacked rotary-wing expertise. Meanwhile, Charles M. Seibel had patented the simple, robust Seibel Control System, which used a simpler mechanism than contemporary designs, and the cash-strapped Seibel Helicopter Company, with only four employees, had just built and certified its S-4A helicopter on a meager $125,000 budget.