110 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Improvements 



The installation of an instrument repair room and equipment quarters 

 provides means of having a closer check on the condition and performance of 

 equipment. A staff member, possessed of qualifications resulting from a course 

 at the National Research Laboratories at Ottawa, being in charge assures 

 capable service. 



Gas and oil storage sheds were built at several points and essential repairs 

 were made in the reconstruction of docks, the reinforcing of lodge foundations, 

 and reconditioning buildings used jointly by the Air and Ground forces. 



Aircraft Building Program 



This move has been somewhat of a departure from precedent, but it was 

 very apparent over a year ago that the Service was sadly lacking in a type of 

 ship which was best suited to meet its requirements. This matter was dis- 

 cussed with each District Forester and it was agreed, without exception, that 

 the type needed was one having a pay load of from 850 to 1000 pounds, and 

 which would be sufficiently economical in operation to be useful for either 

 detection or suppression, or a combination of both. 



After due consideration, it was felt that the Buhl CA-6 came nearer to 

 meeting these requirements than any other that had been offered, and the sole 

 rights to manufacture this ship were acquired. One ship has already been built 

 and three are under construction at the present time, this move being deemed in 

 the interests of economy and service. 



Because of the natue of the Service, it is necessary to employ a permanent 

 staff of sufficient size to meet normal or slightly above normal conditions, and 

 since accidents cannot be anticipated, periods occur when a tremendous 

 amount of reconditioning piles up at one time, followed, inevitably by a slack 

 period. This condition occurred during the winter of 1934-5, at which time 

 two-thirds of our fleet came in for major reconditioning. The situation was 

 further aggravated by two accidents on winter operations and it became 

 necessary to work some overtime in order to complete the program by the time 

 the ships were required. This would have been followed by a slack period 

 during the summer of 1935 had the Service not undertaken the building of 

 aircraft. 



Due to the heavy program of 1934-5, and relative freedom from mishaps 

 during the past season, very little reconditioning is required this winter and the 

 program in hand has served admirably to take up the slack in labor which would 

 undoubtedly have accrued had this work not been undertaken. It thus affords 

 the opportunity of ironing out peaks in employment, employing the services 

 of our personnel to real advantage, and keeping intact a highly trained and 

 efficient organization to a useful end and for a useful purpose. 



The following tables are submitted with this report to facilitate analysis 

 of our operations: 



