heli-
combining form, repr. the first element of helicopter (cf. Gr. ἕλιξ), used (a) in the names of types of helicopters or aircraft resembling helicopters, as helibus, a helicopter with accommodation for a large number of passengers; (b) = ‘helicopter’, as heliborne a., carried by helicopter; heli-lift v., to transport by helicopter; helipad, a ‘pad’ or landing-ground for a helicopter; helipod, a ‘pod’ or container borne by a helicopter and carried e.g. to forward battle-areas for use as an operating theatre, workshop, etc. See also helidrome, heliport.
| 1949 News-Age-Herald (Birmingham, Ala.) 13 Nov. A18/3 There is much work..to be done before the combination of the jetliner and the helibus can be fully utilized. 1956 Britannica Bk. of Year 493/1 Helicar, a combination of automobile and helicopter. 1960 Times 29 Oct. 4/5 A Rotodyne helicopter lifting the ‘helipod’, which contains two operating theatres. 1961 New Scientist 8 June 583/3 The principles of the helicopter and the ducted air flying platform are combined in a vehicle named ‘Helipod’ and designed by an American business man. 1961 Aeroplane CI. 822/2 There are now 487 established heliports or helipads in the U.S.A., Canada and Puerto Rico. 1966 Guardian 2 Apr. 14/2 Military requests for a hard ‘helipad’ that could be laid swiftly in jungles on mud, sand, grass, or dusty surfaces. 1966 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 14 Man for man, the U.S. troops may lack some of their enemies' jungle skill, but the rapid availability of firepower and heliborne mobility have tipped the scales decisively in their favor. 1966 New Statesman 14 Oct. 549/1 Heli-lifted Medivac Attends the WIA. 1968 Guardian 29 Feb. 5/5 Hovercraft and heli⁓buses would transport people and goods. 1968 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 5 June 2/6 Because of the heliborne capability of the Government forces it was no longer possible for the Viet Cong to concentrate anywhere in company strength. 1969 I. Kemp Brit. G.I. in Vietnam xii. 197 A ‘heliborne’ assault in the jungle near Song Be mountain. 1970 Guardian 12 Sept. 11 The Israelis..could heli-lift a half brigade to Dawsons Field. 1973 Observer (Colour Suppl.) 3 June 34/2 Units of the elite First Cav, the new heliborne division. |