Public demonstrations carried out in Switzerland in the years 1947–1948 using the Bell 47B and Sikorsky S-51 helicopters helped to highlight some of the operational potential of this new type of aircraft. Despite the limited transport capacity, still modest performance, and the high costs of acquisition and operation, a number of pioneers in the field decided to invest in an innovative and high-risk activity. These initiatives led to the establishment of the first Swiss helicopter transport companies, whose development is summarized in the following profiles.
