126 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



As in past seasons it was again deemed advisable to overhaul all engines 

 other than Gipsy, the installation of the Moth, at Sault Ste. Marie. This 

 necessitates that all engines be shipped, freight or express, to Sault Ste. Marie, 

 overhauled and tested and returned to the operating base. 



The manufacture of motor boats of various sizes, scows, portable sectional 

 canoes and other articles kept the personnel continually busy. 



The plant itself was reorganized, new offices were built, the Stores Depart- 

 ment enlarged and racks erected to store additional aircraft equipment. 



Fire Detection. 



The 4,506.00 hours devoted to this duty shows an increase of approximately 

 fifty per cent, on the figures for the preceding year, and three hundred per cent, 

 increase on those for 1925. 



The Moth aircraft contributed the greater portion of the flying which was 

 controlled as usual by the District Foresters or officers nominated by them. 



The area patrolled was far greater in proportion to the increase in hours 

 because the Moths were faster with the new Gipsy engine, and occasionally the 

 faster transport machines were used. 



Fire Suppression and Transportation. 



At the commencement of the season it was decided to separate the flying 

 under two distinct classifications, namely, Supression and Transportation. 



In former years all transportation whether conveying equipment to and 

 from fires, or rangers' headquarters, etc., was included in Fire Suppression. 

 There is no need to dilate on the advantages of this new arrangement as it speaks 

 for itself. Fire Suppression absorbed 3,659.40 hours and Transportation, 

 2,537.50 hours. 



The transport machines were used to their utmost capacity especially in 

 the Port Arthur district where three fires of huge proportions were raging at 

 one time. Records show that the total load carried by the five modern transport 

 planes during the season was 1,298 tons, 1,240 pounds. 



The distinct advantage of machines with a good pay-load is that they can 

 transport in one load a complete crew and equipment consisting of five men, 

 one pump, hose, food and equipment for one week. During the operating 

 season many such suppression flights were organized and carried out. 



The spacious cabins of our new aircraft accommodated from one to twelve 

 men without discomfort, and permitted the Service to transport as many as 

 six sectional canoes on one flight. 



Ferrying, 



The increase in hours spent on the flying under this head may be attributed 

 to the necessity of ferrying the new Hamilton machines from Milwaul«ee to 

 Sau't Ste. Marie and the Moth from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie, and in the 

 necessity of transferring machines between bases during the season in order to 

 cope with the high hazard of Western Flying Operations. 



The greater proportion of the total 590.25 hours was absorbed in trans- 

 ferring machines from and to Sault Ste. Marie, either at the opening or closing 

 of the season or for engine change or overhaul. 



A dministration — Inspection . 



The item "Operation" which covers Service flying was cancelled this year 

 and all flying of this nature is now recorded "Administration." Also the item 



