Profile America — Monday, March 8th. The first helicopter for commercial use was licensed on this day in 1946 — just seven months after the end of World War II. The Bell Model 47B was operated by the New York Journal — American newspaper for news coverage and to deliver photographs. The helicopter proved ideal for moving around the crowded metropolitan environment, with its ability to rise and descend vertically, hover, move sideways and even backwards. It could fly forward at speeds up to 100 miles an hour. Helicopters continue to grow in popularity. There are nearly 9,600 in the general aviation fleet today — up 25 percent since 2000. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, conducting the 2010 Census beginning April 1st.
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau