Washington, July 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday revealed plans for a permanent helipad on the White House South Lawn, saying the project would accommodate a new generation of more powerful presidential helicopters and prevent repeated damage to the historic grounds.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session at the White House following the launch of the “Trump Accounts” programme, Trump said the existing practice of landing Marine One on the grass was no longer practical because the latest helicopters generated far greater downwash than the ageing fleet they are replacing.
“For 50 years, we’ve been landing helicopters on grass,” Trump said. “The grass is wet, soggy… and these pilots are so good they almost hit the mark all the time.”
He said the problem emerged after the arrival of newly built presidential helicopters.
“They’re about two-and-a-half times more powerful than the old ones,” Trump said. “Half of the grass was sitting in front of the Oval Office.”
According to Trump, the helicopters did not merely scorch the lawn.
“It didn’t singe it. It literally lifted” the grass because of the aircraft’s power, he said.
Trump said he proposed constructing a permanent helipad after asking military officials whether they had considered the idea.
“I said, has anybody ever thought of a helipad?” he recalled. “I had like six generals in front of me and they’re going, ‘Wow, that’s a good idea.'”
The President said the new landing area would feature a White House seal carved into granite and could also be used for official events when helicopters were not operating.
“It’s got the seal of the White House in carved granite,” Trump said. “It’s going to be, I think, really beautiful.”
Trump disclosed that helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky would bear the cost of the project.
“Sikorsky is paying for it,” he said. “They’re paying the full cost.”
He estimated the construction would cost between five million and six million dollars and said the company had agreed to finance it because it had not anticipated the impact the new helicopters would have on the White House grounds.
“They felt a little guilty,” Trump said.
Trump added that the permanent helipad would allow the retirement of the current presidential helicopters, some of which are more than four decades old.
“We’ll be able to finally retire 45-year-old helicopters,” he said.
Marine One is the call sign used when the US President travels aboard a helicopter operated by the US Marine Corps. The presidential fleet has long transported presidents between the White House, nearby military bases and other destinations. The next-generation helicopters are intended to replace the ageing fleet that has served multiple administrations over several decades.
–IANS
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