114 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Four junior pilots A. were given preliminary flying instruction, two of 

 whom were returned, one posted as a pilot helper on operations and the fourth 

 posted to engineers' shop under instruction at Sault Ste. Marie. 



One senior pilot received instruction and carried out solo flights, but was 

 turned down as not being up to the standard required by the Service. 



One engineer (applicant pilot) received instruction and carried out solo 

 flights, but was turned down and reverted to engineer's grade. 



Service Flying. 



1. Forced Landings. — The hours expended for this purpose are apt to create 

 an impression that as the hours decrease yearly, so obviously must the number 

 of forced landings decrease. 



This impression is erroneous. Though the decrease for this period is con- 

 sistent with the decreased forced landings, in reality it denotes the policy of 

 decreasing the proportion of service flying to requisition flying. 



In previous years many hours flown in search of aircraft which had forced 

 landed for a minor trouble was naturally charged to service flying. 



This unnecessary flying and expense was obviated during the 1927 period 

 by the introduction of a regulation whereby, that in the event of a machine not 

 returning to its base, a certain number of hours were to elapse before carrying 

 out a search. 



The success attributed to this regulation is signified by the total of 17.50 

 hours, a considerable decrease on last year's figures when the increase in flying 

 hours and flights are observed. Of this tot^l, 9.15 hours was consumed by 

 machine OU. in searching for machine OS., which had forced landed in the 

 Kenogami River, and for conveying the men to their respective bases. 



2. Ferrying. — The total of 240.25 hours (4.9 per cent, of the total time) 

 was assigned in transporting machines to and from their operating bases. 



The above figures, which show a small increase on last year's, actually 

 represent a decrease because the field of operation was extended considerably 

 and an additional machine to the Service equipment was transported to the 

 Western Area. 



This flying is essential, but since it forms a big item in the expenses of the 

 flying service, no reduction can be anticipated until the slow obsolescent type of 

 aircraft now used are supplanted by a modern, fast and economical type. 



Conclusion. 



The successful termination of the flying operations for 1927 was largely due 

 to the many other services which gave their whole-hearted support and untiring 

 co-operation throughout the whole period. 



A special tribute is due to the District Foresters and Observing Staff who, 

 by their inceasing efforts and goodwill, contributed to the congeniality which 

 prevailed, and to the ultimate result of the season's operations. 



The personnel of the Provincial Air Service, by their devotion to duty, 

 marked 1927 an era in the history of the Service. Working hours had no limit. 

 They were ever ready at all hours of the day and night to carry out the require- 

 ments of the Service. 



The staff at Sault Ste. Marie invariably worked all night during a severe 

 hazard period to sustain the supply of engines and the operating staff in the 

 field also managed, by their unceasing efforts, to maintain the highest possible 

 service and patrol efficiency. 



