DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1937 111 



supplies and stood by for necessary transportation to and from the scene of 

 the disaster. Other flights were also carried out, in which injured personnel 

 were flown to points where hospital facilities were available, and in a number 

 of cases sick people were flown from isolated localities to towns and cities 

 where medical attention was available. 



Radio 



Nothing was accomplished in the way of Ground to Aircraft Radio Com- 

 munication. Some experiments were carried out the previous year with 

 absolute satisfaction but due to the fact that all ships were required for trans- 

 portation purposes during the past year, no radio was installed. It is hoped 

 that some provision can be made for further experiments during the coming 

 year, as it is felt that two-way radio communication would greatly facilitate 

 the reporting and servicing of fires. 



Fuel Situation 



With the exception of two caches, all old fuel has been used up and any 

 supplies which are now in the field are less than two years old. Stocks of oil 

 have been filtered and are now safe for aircraft use. The oil filter, purchased 

 about a year ago, has operated with complete satisfaction and has been a 

 source of substantial saving. Aircraft crankcase oil is now being reclaimed, 

 as well as that used in Forestry Branch automobiles. The new arrangement 

 between the Department and the source of fuel supplies has worked out satis- 

 factorily and has resulted in a material reduction of unnecessary stocks. 



Aircraft Building 



The Service has now completed and has in operation two of the four 

 Buhls which were originally undertaken. The third will be ready for the 

 opening of the 1937 season, and the fourth sometime during the month of 

 June. The entire four have been built on what might be termed a spare time 

 or fill-in basis and the undertaking has served admirably to flatten out employ- 

 ment peaks and provide continuous and useful employment for the staff. 



This type of ship has proven itself to be well suited to Forestry operations, 

 and although not fast its takeoff is exceptional for a seaplane and permits its 

 operation in and out of relatively small lakes. The results obtained to date 

 have been highly satisfactory. 



The following tables are self-explanatory: 



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