1925 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 99 



Two of the personnel, Mr. McBride, Junior Pilot B, and Mr. Gilbert, Forester 

 Observer, lost their lives, and Mr. Burton, the pilot, was seriously injured. 



The accident marred an otherwse successful season's operations, and the 

 deaths of the airmen were keenly felt and deplored by every member of the air 

 service, who tender their most respectful sympathies to the bereaved families. 



No blame, however, can be attached to the pilot or any member of the air 

 force personnel. Reference is made to the R.C.A.F. finding. 



Flying Requisitioned by Forestry Department 



Fire-fighting 42 . 51 



Fire Patrol. 1,505.03 



Sketching 364. 35 



Photography 47. 30 



Cross-country 264. 49 



Remote transportation 84. 55 



Total 2,291 hrs. 43 mins. 



The above is flying time actually requisitioned by the Forestry Department 

 including transportation to and from bases, and omits all flying spent on tests, 

 instructions, special flights and cross-country in connection with forced landings 

 and change of engines. 



Total Flying Times 



Hrs. Mins. 



Fire-fighting 42 51 



Fire patrol 1,505 03 



Sketching 364 35 



Photography ^ 47 30 



Tests 67 37 



Instruction 74 30 



Cross-country 390 42 



Remote transport 84 55 



Special flights 19 17 



Total 2,597 hours. 



In order to utilize the aircraft service to the best advantage, it was found 

 advisable to have a forest officer in charge. Flying time was required for forest 

 fire patrol, forest fire supervision, forest mapping and photography and other 

 minor uses. This work was under Mr. R. N. Johnston, of the Forestry Branch, 

 and the following is a summary from his report. 



Organi2ation: 



In order to operate a patrol over the whole fire district, it was decided to use 

 two units, an eastern and western, with a common boundary at Longlac. In 

 each of these units, a main base was established from which general supervision 

 and control of all flying was maintained. Mechanical overhaul was also provided 

 at these points, such overhaul being absolutely essential to the operation of the 

 machines for the required number of hours. 



The main base for the eastern patrol was located at Sudbury, this being a 

 centre of distribution, a forest district headquarters, and had been found satis- 

 factory during the previous season's operations. 



