106 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Five pupils commenced instruction during the early part of the year. Of 

 these, two were air engineers selected for pilots' training, two observers who had 

 long been associated with the service in this capacity, and one ex-war pilot who 

 had not been enaged in flying for some considerable time. 



All five of these pupils successfully graduated from this school and as soon 

 as conditions became favourable in St. Mary's River, further instruction was 

 given them on H.S.2.L. boats and Moth seaplanes. 



Other pilots were given refresher courses on the types of machines they were 

 selected to fly for the coming season. 



In all, eleven pilots were given instruction and refresher training during the 

 period under review. 



The policy referred to above of the Service training its own pilots has proved 

 entirely successful and even if the supply exceeds the demand at any time it 

 enables a pool of reserve pilots to be kept available in cases of emergency. 



Special Transportation. 



A considerable amount of special transportation was carried out during 1928, 

 a great proportion of which was in connection with the establishing and main- 

 taining of the numerous radio stations that were established throughout the 

 Western District. 



Equipment for the construction of these stations was flown to the various 

 bases selected, personnel transported and all their supplies taken in when required. 



In addition to this much co-operation was maintained with other Depart- 

 ments, notably, the Departments of Mines, Game and Fisheries, Provincial 

 Police, Department of Health, and the Red Cross Nursing Association. In 

 connection with the latter, nurses were flown into the hospital that was established 

 at Woman Lake. 



The Inspector of the Department of Health in one week was transported 

 by air into the mining districts and thus was able to cover his entire territory in 

 the minimum of time. By any other means of transport this would have prob- 

 ably entailed at least a month. Contact was maintained with the officials of 

 the Department of Mines during an extensive tour in the north country and the 

 mineralogical specimens obtained were, as occasion demanded, flown out for 

 despatch to the Department. 



Service Flying. 



1. Forced Landings. — 30.35 hours were flown in connection with forced 

 landings of aircraft. As in the previous year unnecessary flying and expense 

 was obviated in this connection by the carrying out of the regulation whereby 

 in the event of a machine not returning to its base a certain number of hours 

 were to elapse before carrying out a search. 



2. Ferrying. — The total of 345.15 hours was assigned in transporting 

 machines to and from their operating bases. 



Conclusion. 



The successful termination of the flying operations of 1928 was once again 

 largely due to the whole-hearted support and untiring co-operation given 

 throughout the whole period by the many other services which co-operated 

 with us. In this connection one must especially mention the District Foresters, 

 1 anging and observing staff who helped so much towards this end, 



