11

H.—37.

On 31st March, 1941, these organizations had sixty pupils under training for Pilots' " A " Licenses, while thirty-three trainees presented themselves for the license practical and oral tests. The To Kuiti Aero Club operated one Rearwin aircraft, but did not provide training facilities. During the year the three clubs and two companies referred to flew a total of 2,419 hours, of which 510 hours represented dual instruction to trainees. SECTION lI.—COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT SERVICES. Of the nine scheduled services which were in operation in September, 19.39, only six continued to operate, and these on a reduced scale. As a result, the total route mileage flown decreased from 2,015 to 1,273. Notwithstanding war conditions, the maximum frequency possible with the material available has been maintained. The following services are now in operation : — Union Airways of New Zealand, Ltd. — (а) Auckland-Wellington (via New Plymouth and Palmerston North). (б) Wellington-Dunedin (via Christchurch). (c) Wellington-Blenheim- Nelson. Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd. — (d) Nelson-Greymouth. (e) Inchbon.nie-Weh.eka (via Hokitika and Franz Josef). (/) Hokitika-Jackson's Bay (via Haast, Okuru, and Bruce Bay). Of these services, (c) and (d) were operated by the companies indicated on behalf of Cook Strait Airways, Ltd., who ceased operations for the duration of the war in November, 1939, owing to its equipment being requisitioned by the Air Force. The total mileage flown was 645,702, as compared with 1,344,558 for the year ended 31st March, 1940. The passengers carried were 37,023, compared with 51,802 for the corresponding period last year. The total number of aircraft in use on scheduled services was nine, comprising four Lockheed Electras used by Union Airways of New Zealand, Ltd., and three Fox Moths (I >. 11. 83) and two Dragonflies (D.H 90a) used by Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd. International Services. 1. Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd. The final stage of the Empire air route was completed on 30th April, 1940, when Tasman Empire Airways commenced regular services between Auckland and Sydney. Since the inception of the company's operations, commendable regularity has been maintained. At the commencement of the services, one return trip weekly was flown between Auckland and Sydney, but on the inauguration of Pan-American. Airways Service an additional return trip was introduced on alternate weeks to link up with the American service. The company at present employs two Short 5.30 flying-boats on the 1,340 mile route. 2. Pan-American Airways, Ltd. Pan-American Airways, Ltd., a company registered in the United States of America, commenced scheduled services in September, 1940, on the basis of one trip fortnightly in each direction between San Francisco and Auckland, the first south-bound trip terminating at Auckland on the 11th of the month. The service is maintained at present with three Boeing flying-boats, and intermediate calls arc made at Honolulu, Canton Island, and Noumea. The length of the route is 7,928 miles. Non-scheduled Commercial Flying. In addition to the three companies operating scheduled services, the following organizations catered for commercial work of a general nature : — Waikato Aviation Co., Ltd., Rotorua, using one Desoutter and one Avro Avian. N.Z. Aerial Mapping, Ltd., Hastings, using one Monospar S.T. 25. Southland Airways, Ltd., Invercargill, using one Puss Moth (D.H. 80a). Queenstown - Mount Cook Airways, Ltd., Timaru, using one Waco Q.D.C. The last-mentioned company ceased active operations on 16th April, 1940, whilst Southland Airways, Ltd., disposed of its equipment on 28th June, 1940. During the year ended 31st March, 1941, 2,132 hours were flown on those services and the passengers carried totalled 5,150. The corresponding figures for the previous year were 2,571 hours and 8,170 passengers respectively. Air Photography. N.Z. Aerial Mapping, Ltd., using a Monospar S.T. 25 aircraft, continued its aerial survey and photographic work, most of which is for municipal bodies and Government Departments. The total area photographed amounted to 2,209 square miles, the flying-time involved being approximately 123 hours. Aircraft. The total number of aircraft on the civil register remains the same as last year —viz., thirty-nine. On 31st March, 1941, twenty-seven of the aircraft registered had current Certificates of Airworthiness, the remaining twelve machines comprising nine stored or undergoing overhaul, and three Pou-de-Ciels (" Flying Fleas ") which, being experimental aircraft, are not granted Certificates of Air-worthiness.