128 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Reconditioning : 



With the passing of each year the inspection and reconditioning of aircraft 

 becomes more rigid. The age of aircraft is not considered in years but in the 

 number of hours flown, the type and quality of work it performs or the abuse 

 to which it is subjected. Any one of these three factors necessitates a very rigid 

 inspection in order to determine the condition of an aircraft. Collectively they 

 form a minute inspection such as that given to the aircraft of our service. Each 

 year our aircraft fly a considerable number of hours, are engaged in a wide 

 variety of work, and consequently must suffer considerable abuse. It must be 

 borne in mind also that the majority of our aircraft posted to the various operat- 

 ing bases in the Province are not held under cover or in a hangar during the 

 summer season and in this way are subject to every variety of weather deteriorating 

 effects. 



The periodical inspection and subsequent reconditioning reflects in the 

 ability of the machines to withstand the effects of the weather changes and the 

 different forms of ill-use, too numerous to mention, to which they are subject 

 throughout the season. 



Various modifications and innovations were introduced into the assembling 

 of aircraft, the outstanding modification being that carried out in connection 

 with the redesigning and reconditioning of the D.H. 61 aircraft. 



The designing, construction and subsequent delivery of a 263^ ton 60-foot 

 cabin cruiser for the Forestry Branch provided a new departure from the 

 ordinary routine and further evidenced the versatility of the plant personnel. 



Skis built for the large transport aircraft proved an immediate success, 

 the shape, size and construction receiving favourable comment and reports by 

 our operating personnel and by commercial operators who observed their 

 performance. 



The hangar proper was reorganized to permit the erection of additional 

 floor space, most essential to provide a special division for the welders and 

 sheet-metal workers. This additional space relieves the congestion in the hangar 

 particularly at the time of assembling of aircraft just prior to delivery to the 

 operating personnel for the purpose of test. 



Fire Detection: 



Although the hours devoted to detection flying show a considerable decrease 

 as compared with the hours flown in the preceding year, the percentage is 

 maintained. The Eastern District supplied most of the 2,560.45 hours, a very 

 creditable performance in view of the comparatively short fire hazard period 

 which existed in the majority of the operating areas. The Fairchild 71 was used 

 almost exclusively for fire detection in the Western District, operating from the 

 bases Port Arthur and Orient Bay and the refueling cache of Shebandowan Lake. 



Fire Suppression and Transportation: 



As has been previously stated, the adverse weather was responsible for the 

 decrease in hours flown on fire suppression. Considering the fact that the fire 

 hazard was confined more or less to the Eastern District the 2,564.10 hours 

 flown in this operation is highly gratifying when these figures are compared 

 with those governing both districts for the previous year. 



Flying in connection with inspection of fires while in progress, by Forestry 

 Branch officials, is now included in Fire Suppression but it is only a small item 



