Chicagos Forgotten Helicopter Airway | The Taxi of the Sky

In the 1940s and 1950s, Chicago was home to an experimental helicopter airway system, part of an effort to integrate helicopters into urban air transport. The system, known as the Chicago Helicopter Airways, operated along designated flight paths that hovered above the citys lakefront and major highways, aiming to connect downtown with airports and suburban areas. It became one of the few helicopter services in the U.S. to establish a scheduled passenger route. However, high operational costs, limited passenger demand, and the emergence of more efficient transportation modes led to its decline by the late 1960s, ultimately leaving the ambitious project as a forgotten chapter in Chicagos aviation history.

Support the Channel by becoming a member https://youtube.com/channel/UCzIZ8HrzDgc-pNQDUG6avBA/join

ITS HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?listPL2NN2rktA4yMZ4vmNaA3KpsS5KXLj3xVN

» Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@ITSHISTORY?sub_confirmation1
» Listen podcasts: https://ffm.bio/itshistory

» CONTACT
For brands, agencies, and sponsorships: itshistory@thoughtleaders.io
Click here to book a sponsorship with me thoughtleaders.io/reserve/its-history

» CREDIT
Editor - Karolina Szwata
Host - Ryan Socash
Music/Sound Design: Dave Daddario

» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.