Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for 1950 No. . 



DIVISION OF AIR SERVICE 



General 



The fire hazard in the summer of 1948 was one of the worst encountered in 

 several years and taxed our resources to the limit in certain localities. In other areas, 

 considerable purchased flying was required because of the size and extent of the fires 

 involved. 



Normal relations were maintained with the Department of Transport in respect 

 of the operation of our aircraft and our responsibilities in respect of the Class V 

 licence issued early in the year. 



The Division of Air Service has working arrangements with the Departments 

 of Health, Mines, Public Works and the Provincial Police, and carried out all flying 

 requisitions for these Departments as required. 



This flying included the carrying of Police officials on investigations, flying of 

 prisoners from remote areas, servicing of geological parties under the Department of 

 Mines, transportation of Inspectors for the Department of Public Works, mercy 

 flights enabling emergency care for the Department of Health and so forth. 



Some additional flying was also done for the Department of Highways, in- 

 cluding transportation of their Inspectors and Senior Officials and for the Department 

 of Attorney-General in the transportation of Judicial officials for the purpose of hold- 

 ing court in remote areas. Flying was also carried out on co-operative projects with 

 Federal Departments of Indian Affairs and Entomology. 



New Construction and Expansion 



The new hangar building, started by the Department of Public Works in 1947, 

 was brought almost to completion during the fiscal year under review. Apart from 

 some very small items which are in critical supply, the work can be considered com- 

 pleted. The addition is very welcome and now provides storage space for some fifty 

 aeroplanes if required. 



The Department of Public Works also constructed for the Air Service, staff 

 housing accommodation at Parry Sound, Sudbury, Oba Lake, Gogama and Chapleau. 

 Further accommodation is required at Eva Lake and other points at which the Depart- 

 ment may decide to establish Air Service bases. 



Equipment 



In the fall of 1947, an order was placed with the DeHavilland Aircraft Company 

 of Canada for twelve Beaver aircraft. These were all delivered during the fiscal period 

 under review. As these aeroplanes were delivered, they were put in service and per- 

 formed very creditably throughout the entire summer. Their outstanding take-off and 

 climb performance enables them to operate out of much smaller bodies of water than 

 has ever been the case with any seaplane used by the Department before this time. 

 In order to procure the best type of aerial fire fighting equipment for the Department, 

 it was decided to sell off much of our old and semi-obsolete equipment and replace it 

 with the new and much more efficient Beaver type. To completely accomplish this 

 purpose, a further order for fifteen of these aircraft was given to the DeHavilland 

 Company late in 1948, and three were delivered before the freeze-up period. The 

 balance of the order will be delivered for the opening of the 1949 fire season. 



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