130 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Several low-flying reconnaissance flights were made in connection with the 

 proposed Trans-Canada Highway, and also a survey party were flown in and 

 out of several lakes to enable them to speed up their programme. In the month 

 of February the Department made purchase of a Fairchild 71 which was equipped 

 to take care of a camera installation. This machine was operated on skis during 

 the months of February and March, and during this period of time considerable 

 photographic work was^accomplished operating from the base of Sand Lake on 

 the Algoma Central Railroad. 



The 199.20 hours do not represent the total hours flown by the Vedette 

 aircraft for the season. This particular machine was pressed into service in 

 connection with the transportation and suppression duties required by the 

 Branch and operated from the gasoline cache at Sand Lake. 



Instruction: 



Since 1929 when the Flying School was organized and flying instruction 

 accounted for 658.45 hours, a steady decrease has been recorded yearly, reaching 

 for the fiscal year of 1931 a low total of 441 hours. The decrease was anticipated 

 both from an economical desire and a reduction in the number of pupils. 



Eleven pupils received instruction, all of whom completed the number 

 of solo hours required by the regulations of the Air Board and for commercial 

 licenses. Three pilots were chosen to pilot aircraft and lived up to expectation, 

 turning in very excellent flying efforts. The graduates of former years continue 

 to justify their selection to the Pilot Branch of the Air Service contributing 

 a large percentage of the total hours each year and performing their duties 

 to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. 



Special Transportation: 



The Service was again called upon to supply aircraft for special duties 

 connected with the administration of Northern Ontario. Each year the activities 

 and demands in this direction increase, proving that aircraft are gradually 

 becoming an accepted and uniform means of transportation by the authorities 

 in almost every branch of the administration. 



The 82.35 hours absorbed in this important function, although showing a 

 decrease in hours against the increase for the preceding year, actually covered 

 flights of more importance. Reference to our records discloses many inspiring 

 examples of devotion to duty of the personnel in complying with emergency 

 requisitions which were invariably carried out in adverse weather conditions, 

 some flights having been completed after dark. Included in this list of flights 

 reference is made to the flights required in the conveyance of diphtheria serum 

 to Northern Development road camps, doctors to Indian camps, Indians to 

 hospitals, Sanitary Inspectors to mines, and Government officials on urgent 

 service, doctors to summer camps along the rugged Lake Superior coast line, 

 fire fighters, prospectors, and woodsmen from the interior to hospitals. 



Conclusion: 



It is small wonder that the fiscal year ended with a feeling of relief. The 

 mental depression felt by the personnel over the tragic deaths of comrades 

 made the year one most anxious to forget. When tragedy strikes at an organi- 

 zation such as ours it strikes hard because it affects everybody. It means the 

 loss of comrades, temporary collapse of a common ideal or ambition, or the 

 disorganization or disbandment of some important or necessary function. 



