124 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



During the last seven years of active flying operations the Service have 

 flown 45,640.37 hours. During the operating season of 1930, the Service flew 

 14,192.40 hours. 



The fire hazard in all districts was as severe as in the year 1929, with the 

 result that the transport aircraft were needed in the majority of districts at one 

 time to cope with the emergency. To meet the demands of the Branch and 

 fulfil the flight requisitions a new fast aircraft was introduced into the Service 

 at the commencement of the season. In tlie transportation of fire fighters, 

 fire fighting equipment and supplies, speed is essential; every minute wasted in 

 the air means the loss of some important function on the ground. The new 

 machine is an all metal aircraft having a cruising speed of 120 m.p.h., with 

 performance which permits it to carry a pay-load of 1,500 pounds. 



The introduction of the new transport type favourably impressed the 

 members of the Service by its clean cut, streamline appearance, high speed 

 and big pay-load. The all metal structure is a strong feature as well as economical 

 because it reduces the annual reconditioning costs which are to be met in over- 

 hauling wood and fabric machines. The metal structure considerably lessens 

 the possibility of damage by trees and rocks when approaching rugged shorelines 

 and by fire fighters climbing in and out of the machine. It is particularly 

 adapted to winter flying as it can be left in the open without fear of its structure 

 being detrimentally affected by the elements. In the operation of three of these 

 craft during the 1930 season, operating staff find that with a few modifications 

 the machine will certainly compare favourably with any machine on the market. 



The excellent performance of the new Hamilton machines which collectively 

 flew a total of 1,204.40 hours, carried a total load of 988 tons, 608 pounds and 

 covered 126,420 miles, as illustrated below: 



CF.OAH 326. 00 hours 259 tons 1,622 lbs. 



CF.OAI 496.40 hours 469 tons 289 lbs. 



CF.OAJ 315. 50 hours 213 tons 391 lbs. 



NC. 878 66. 10 hours 46 tons 306 lbs. 



Twenty-six aircraft were in use during the season, comprising four Hamilton 

 all metal aircraft, six H.S.2. L. flying boats, fourteen Moths, one Vedette and 

 one D.H. 61. 



The D.H. 61, which hitherto has not been flown a great number of hours 

 each year, performed excellently after a new metal propeller was fitted, completing 

 343.10 hours' fire suppression duty in the Western District. This particular 

 machine has a remarkable pay-load, as much as 2,200 pounds being lifted from 

 the water at one time. Its ability to take off and land in small lakes permitted 

 the Service to comply with many emergency flight requisitions, operating in 

 the hazard zone north of Port Arthur. 



The remaining six H.S.2 L. flying boats did good work. These machines 

 have now gone through seven heavy operating seasons. The fact that these 

 machines still continue to perform in a satisfactory manner reflects particularly 

 well on the excellent reconditioning or overhaul that they receive each winter 

 in the shops at Sault Ste. Marie. It is feared that in the very near future the 

 services of these reliable, steady machines which have served the Branch so 

 remarkably well, will be dispensed with, as they are obsolescent and with their 

 age we find that each year it is more costly to recondition and very difficult to 

 obtain operating spares. It was decided to scrap six of these machines last 

 winter after a rigid examination which disclosed that through fair wear and tear 

 of the hulls and other components, reconditioning would not be effective. 



