LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

Before calling on the first lecturer this afternoon, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Helicopter Association, of thanking the President and Council of the Royal Aeronautical Society for their courtesy, in inviting us to share to-day’s proceedings The idea of a full day’s discussion on helicopters originated with the R Ae S, but it can hardly be a coincidence that all those invited to read papers are members—I should say Founder Members—of the Helicopter Association, three of them being Council Members and one an ex-Council Member You are no doubt all aware that the Helicopter Association is of comparatively recent formation and owes a big debt of gratitude to the Royal Aeronautical Society, and other bodies for all the help and guidance they have given in the three years since the Association was incorporated