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To send a link to this page you must be logged in. The Courier bushplane in its natural environment Those who remember the 1990 classic Vietnam War movie Air America, directed by Roger Spottiswood and starring Robert Downey Jr and Mel Gibson, should quickly recall who the real stars of the film were: Fairchild C-123 Providers and Helio Couriers, the latter being played in the film by Pilatus PC-6 Porters. Based in Laos and operated by Air America−the clandestine company run by the CIA−the STOL fleet’s mission was the transport of illicit goods into and out of Southeast Asia. However, it may be surprising to learn that the Courier was not conceived for such nefarious purposes, being designed in 1949 by the Helio Aircraft Company of Pittsburg, Kansas expressly for safety, rather than STOL performance. ....