Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for fiscal year ending March 31, 1951 Page 14 



DIVISION OF AIR SERVICE 



General 



The fiscal period 1950-51 presented one of the lowest fire hazards in many 

 years. Rainfall occurred at most opportune times and in sufficient quantities to hold 

 the hazard to a point that might be considered as below normal. In addition to this we 

 were operating more aircraft of the Beaver type, and the fact that these aircraft can 

 operate from smaller bodies of water than any type which we have ever used in the 

 past, made it possible to reach and extinguish incipient fires that might easily have 

 reached the out-of-control stage under other circumstances. Again I feel that I must 

 give credit to this particular aeroplane as an instrument through which we were able 

 to hold our fire losses below- the average occurring in preceding years. 



The Service also undertook additional activities in the field of research and 

 experimentation. We co-operated during the period, as well as in the preceding year, 

 with the National Research Council in attempting to develop a type of ski that, it 

 was hoped, would meet average Canadian conditions. Considerable flying was done 

 out of Sudbury, Gogama, and Chapleau to test the relative qualities of these skis in 

 comparison with the various types which we had been using, and a great deal of 

 valuable information was gathered. In addition, we carried out further experiments 

 with a radar landing device, designed primarily to assist in glassy water landings, and 

 we now have quite a wealth of data on this subject. Considerable interest has been 

 shown in this particular device by the Royal Canadian Air Force and Trans-Canada 

 Air Lines. These experiments will be continued until we feel that the device has been 

 perfected. We also undertook experiments to determine the possibility of water 

 bombing from the air. The initial experiments w'ere carried out with pai^er bags that 

 resemble, in many respects, that used for bagging cement, and although this particular 

 device has some disadvantages, I feel that it was proven, quite conclusively, that this 

 method of attacking small fires does hold possibilities. In the period covered, we 

 actually did hold fires from spreading until the ground crews were able to reach them. 



The requirements of all Divisions of this Department were met and we also did 

 considerable flying for the Department of Mines, Department of Provincial Police, 

 Departments of Health, Highways, and so forth as well as according a measure of 

 co-operation to the Federal Department of Indian Affairs, with whom we work very 

 closely in the control and establishment of registered trap lines. 



Emergency flights were carried out as required and it is gratifying to know 

 that a very humanitarian service was rendered on many occasions. 



Normal amiable relations were maintained with the Department of Transport 

 and with the Air Transport Board. 



During the period covered the Department subscribed to membership in the 

 Air Industries and Transport Association of Canada. This Association was formed 

 for the purpose of co-ordinating the activities of all those dealing in aircraft, and 

 includes the engine manufacturer, the airframe manufacturer, manufacturers of all 

 accessories and the operators themselves. The Body also deals with the Department 

 of Transport and the Air Transport Board in recommending suitable legislation to 

 control the activities of the Industry. 



