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Jacobs looked at the possibility for training new The military in Bogota, Columbia were interested in
helicopter pilots and approached Associated Helicopters using Jaycopter training aids at their helicopter
at the airport with his novel idea for the Jaycopter. He training school. The company changed from
felt that his invention would help in reducing helicopter
Jaycopters Recreation Ltd. to Jaycopter Corporation
training costs as it duplicated the movements of a real
Ltd. in December 1966. It was taking much longer to
helicopter with its sensitive controls and aerodynamic
features. achieve profitability than planned. The company had
developed five different models of the Jaycopter.
Chief Pilot Telleff Vassjo took Leo Jacobs up in a Bell 47G-
Sales were slow over the next few years with a
2 helicopter in April 1959. During the introduction
training flight Vassjo found that he did not have to take Jaycopter trainer going to Argentina and the US Navy
over control of the helicopter from Jacobs during the by 1969. One recreational 8-passenger Jaycopter was
whole flight. sold. There was hope for new increased sales of the
Jaycopter but that was not to be.
By 1962 a recreational Jaycopter was on display at the
Edmonton Exhibition, and later at the Pacific National Company sales remained flat into the early 1970s.
Exhibition in Vancouver, BC. Soon additional 8-passenger Jaycopter Corporation Ltd. sales for the Captive
carrying Jaycopters were being manufactured by Jacobs. Helicopter Training Devices, the Amusement Rides,
This new ride had terrific potential in both comfort and and Coin Operated Copters were bleak. The company
safety. Cost was about $62,000 for a partially completed
was not in good financial shape.
recreational Jaycopter.
On September 27, 1973 the company informed
shareholders that the financial position of the
Company was very poor and it was not able to meet
trade accounts and loans owing. They could not
justify incurring further expenses. Jaycopter
Corporation Ltd. was now dormant with no
employees. The assets of Jaycopters were put up for
sale. The company had been in business for 15 plus
years. Jaycopter Corporation Ltd., due to
circumstances beyond their control, had a good run
for their money and should be proud of their
In August 1963, an agreement was signed to place a 16- achievements.
passenger Jaycopter at the New York World’s Fair in the
USA during 1964 and 1965 along with Baby Jay coin Most of the remaining Jaycopters ended up stored on
operated amusement games. Jaycopters Recreation Ltd. the property of Stan Reynolds in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
was registered as public company in 1963. There are numerous Baby Jay and Minicopter coin-
operated amusement games still in existence. Check
By 1964 interest in Jaycopters was coming from France,
Japan, and Italy. The coin-operated Minicopter smaller out the one still in the Alberta Aviation Museum.
than the Baby Jay went into operation in 1964 There are plans to restore a Jaycopter for the
Reynolds-Alberta Museum in the future.
The US military received a Jaycopter Demonstrator
Trainer classroom helicopter device at Fort Wolters, The company may be gone but the Jaycopter will
Texas in 1965. The 16-place Jaycopter operated for the never be forgotten.
second year at the New York World’s Fair during 1965 to
limited financial success.
