New York Airways (the Skyline Route) was a helicopter airline in the New York City area for 30 years. Founded in 1949, NYA was headquartered at LaGuardia Airport. In February 1955 the one way fare from LaGuardia to Idlewild (now JFK) was $4.50. Scheduled flights to the top of the Pan Am Building began in December 1965, with service to local airports. New York Airways employed the first African American airline pilot. Perry H. Young made his historic first flight on February 5, 1957. Young had previously made history as the first African American flight instructor for the United States Army Air Corps. New York Airways ceased operations in 1979 —