96 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



II. Air Operations 



During the past year, Ontario has undertaken flying operations as a prov- 

 incial service. This work was placed in the Forestry Branch and Mr. W. R. 

 Maxwell appointed as director to take charge of the operations. Follov/ing is , 

 a summary of his report covering the first season's operations. 



Organization: 



Enrolment of operating personnel commenced April 1st, 1924. 



After a very careful survey of the vast area of the Province to be patrolled, 

 it was decided to divide the Province into two districts, the east and the west, 

 with Lake Nipigon the dividing line. 



The eastern district extended south to Lake Nipissing, the northern extremity 

 of Algonquin Park to the Ottawa River and east to the Province of Quebec. 



The western extended from Nipigon Lake to the Manitoba boundary. 



The main operating base in the eastern section was established on Ramsay 

 Lake, three miles from Sudbury, or just across the lake from the city. Re-fueling 

 and sub-bases were established at points of vantage in the district, which per- 

 mitted machines to patrol or cope with any remote operation. 



In the western district, Sioux Lookout was selected as the base of operation 

 and as on the east, sub-bases were established, permitting machines to land, 

 re-fuel and carry on with patrol without loss of time or detour. 



The Province divided into two units with gas and oil placed at strategic 

 locations, permitted flexibility of control and eliminated unnecessary cross- 

 country flying when patrols were required, so necessary to minimize the operating 

 cost. 



To meet a possible early fire hazard, arrangement was made for delivery of 

 two machines to Toronto Bay, open water being available prior to break-up Ram- 

 say Lake. Machines AOH and AOF arrived at Toronto Bay, April 24th and 

 26th. Thus with two machines, applicant pilots were tried out and pilots re- 

 ceived instruction under rather trying circumstances as Toronto Bay did not 

 lend itself to instructional flying, boat landings or practice flights, owing to an 

 abundance of floating debris which was quite natural after winter break-up. 



Upon receipt of news of Ramsay Lake being clear, machines were despatched 

 to Ramsay Lake and instruction carried on there. 



The patrol season began the last day of April and so instruction of personnel 

 was somewhat delayed as the machines, two in number, were actively engaged on 

 fire patrol. 



Machines were late in delivery and with a hazard period following break-up 

 in the east, machines upon arrival were immediately pressed into service to cope 

 with the situation. 



The last machine was delivered June 3rd. It was some days later than this 

 ere Sioux Lookout, the western base, was functioning properly. 



For supervision and maintenance of the operating main bases. Major G. A- 

 Thompson was chosen superintendent of eastern flying district, and Captain 

 J. R. Ross, superintendent of western flying district. 



Pilots under their supervision were graduated according to their commercial 

 flying experience, and were classified into senior pilots, junior A pilots, and 

 junior B pilots, under instruction. 



Air engineers were also graduated according to service, as follows: Ist-class 

 air engineers, 2nd class engineers, and 3rd class engineers. 



