Beginning in the 1960s, news coverage of helicopters gradually shifted from reporting on their novelty to stories about helicopters doing the work they still do today, such as aerial firefighting, disaster response and relief, and search and rescue. Tese lifesaving missions illuminate the unique capabilities of the helicopter. Tey also offer dramatic confirmation of the commitment to public service by the people of vertical aviation, who often must perform as though lives are on the line—because they are.
If you are in trouble anywhere in the world, an airplane can fly over and drop flowers, but a helicopter can land and save your life.