AREA 51 AIRCRAFT SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Aquiline
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02854848
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: July 16, 2020
• Document Release Date: July 30, 2020
• Publication Date: September 20, 1971

Approved for Release: 2020/02/11 CO2854848
AQUILINE
3.3(b)(1)
3.5(c)
Copy of
of
20 September 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBJECT: Area 51 Aircraft Support Requirements
REFERENCE: Memo from D/SA to DDS&T dated 23 June 1971;
Subject: Same as above (OSA 1509-71)
1. This memorandum contains a recommendation for your
approval. Such recommendation is contained in paragraph 8.
2. Approval was granted in the above reference to continue the
Las Vegas/Area 51 shuttle during the period 1 July through 30 September
1971, with funding by OSA. During this period, we have reexamined the
various requirements affecting the continuing need for air support in an
effort to arrive at a satisfactory solution for all concerned. Consider-
ations affecting the shuttle are discussed in the following paragraphs.
3. Project AQUILINE has a continuing requirement for aircraft
support to transport up to 3500 pounds of cargo and between five and 20
passengers between Long Beach and Area 51 on virtually a weekly basis.
Additionally, AQUILINE requires an aircraft that will provide eight hours
on station above 20, 000 feet for radio relay and test bed purposes. (See
Attachment 1 for a breakout of flying hour requirements).
4. As presently authorized, the base cadre, AQUILINE, and
have a combined potential of some 104 daily shuttle
passengers. is currently negotiating with EG&G to contract for a
Martin 404 with a 44 seat capacity. Assuming that does acquire the
Martin 404, will continue to need daily shuttle support for a minimum
of 21 people. This leaves 60 people still needing transportation. Attach-
ment 2 further explains the breakdown of shuttle passengers by source.
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AQUILINE
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5. The large DC-6 (85 seat capacity) can be acquired at a
cost of $666 per hour; the small DC-6 (80 seat capacity) at a cost
of $499 per hour; and an F-27 with 40 seats for $384 per hour.
However, the cargo doors on available F-27s are too
small to accommodate the present size AQUILINE cargo. It can
meet AQUILINE radio relay altitude requirements for their tests but
must land and refuel for the longer duration sorties. Other aircraft
considered include the C-46 and Convair 440. These will not meet
our needs for various reasons.
6. Related additional factors worthy of consideration are
increased productivity on the job and improved morale as opposed
to the lowered productivity and morale when it is necessary to drive
back and forth to Las Vegas or to remain overnight on base. A
definite amount in savings or tangible benefits to the government
cannot be pinpointed for these items. However, operation of the
shuttle is considered a success as far as these factors are concerned.
7. A DC-6 continues to be the most desirable aircraft from the
standpoint of AQUILINE test, training and cargo requirements as well
as its ability to meet overall shuttle needs. Part of the cost can be
offset by a pro rata charge to HG for a block of seats.
Based on 30 base personnel using the
shuttle, this amounts to some $75, 000 annually. Savings to govern-
ment for fewer rental cars and less per diem to transient personnel
cannot reasonably be calculated but is significant.
8. I recomMend that approval be given to continue the Las Vegas/
Area 51 shuttle during the 1 October 1971 through 30 June 1972 time period
using the small DC-6. (See Attachment 4 for derivation of cost).
LL L. B VAN, R.
Brigadier General, U AF
Director of Special Activities
AQUILINE
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Attachments: 4
1 - Flying Hour Requirements
2 - Potential Shuttle Passengers
3 - Cost Factors
4 - Cost Determination for Small DC-6
The recommendation contained in
paragraph 8 is approved:
Deputy Director for Science and Technology Date
SAS/ 0/ OSA:
Distribution:
1 - SAS/O/OSA
- DDS&T Chrono
3 - DDS&T Comptroller
4 - DDS&T Registry
5 - DDS&T Registry
6 - D/SA
7 - D/O/OSA
8 - D/M/OSA
9 - BFD/OSA
10 - SS/OSA
11 - AQUI/OSA
12 - RB/OSA
5708 (17 Sept. 71)
AQUILINE
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Attachment 1
FLYING HOUR REQUIREMENTS
(Projected from DC-6 Performance)
HOURS
MONTH
HOURS
YEAR
Test Bed/Relay
16
192
Shuttle: Long Beach/Area
14
168
Dead Head: Marana/Long Beach
16
192
Shuttle: Las Vegas/Area/Las Vegas
34
408
Totals
_
80
960
AQUILINE
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AQUI 0296-71
Attachment 2
POTENTIAL SHUTTLE PASSENGERS BETWEEN LAS VEGAS AND AREA 51
BASE
Base Staff 4
Staff Military 1
Weather and AFCS 7
Contract 9
EG&G 9
(
30 )
AQUILINE
9
36
EG&G
Air Force
26
TDY/Visitors
3
TOTAL
Less
NET
( 65)
1 04
44
60
AQUILLUE
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Attachment 3
COST FACTORS
PART A: FLYING HOUR COSTS
8% No of Hr Gross
Hr. Rate Fed. Tax Total Seats Ins Costs
DC-6 (1) $575. $46. $621. 85 $45. $666.
DC-6 (2) $420. $34. $454. 80 $45. $499.
F-27 $330. $27. $357. 40 $27. $384.
Insurance Costs on DC-6 $43, 000 per year. $45. per hr based on 960 hrs.
Insurance Costs Estimated on F-27 $20, 000 per year. $21. per hr based on 960 hrs.
PART B: SHUTTLE COST - LSV/AREA/LSV
Costs per Costs per Costs per Seat Costs
Seats Hour Month Year Month Year
DC-6
(Large) 85 $666. $22,644. $271,728. $266. $3,197.
DC-6
(Small) 80 $499. $16, 966. $203, 592. $212. $2, 545.
F-27 40 $384. $13, 056. $156. 672. $392. $3, 917.
PART C: ANNUAL COSTS FOR LSV/AREA SHUTTLE (BASED ON FULL LOAD)
No. of Seats DC-6(1) DC-6(2) F-27
10 $31, 970 $25, 450 $39,170
20 $63, 940 $50, 900 $78, 340
30 $95, 910 $76, 350 $117, 510
40 $127, 880 $101, 800 $156, 680
50 $159, 850 $127, 250
AQU NE
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Attachment 4
COST DETERMINATION FOR SMALL DC-6
(1 October 1971 through 30 June 1972)
Annual Shuttle Cost $203, 592
9 Month Shuttle Cost
$152,
$ 50,
694
895*
Less Charge to
Balance
$101,
799
Rounded To
$102,
000
* 50 Seats for two months @ $10, 604/mo.
$ 21,
208
until is in operation
20 Seats for seven months @ $4, 241/mo.
$ 29,
687
Total Charge to
$ 50,
895
AQU INE
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