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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1948 The Hon. the Minister of Defence. I have the honour to submit the following report on civil aviation for the year ended 31st March, 1918. SECTION I.—ADMINISTRATION 1. Organization During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1948, the staff of the Civil Aviation Branch has increased from 192 to 383 —almost exactly double. This increase has been due in the main to the following factors : (a) The rapid expansion of internal air services. (b) Additional aerodromes being placed on an operational basis and requiring the provision of communications and control staff. On existing aerodromes, moreover, expanding operations require increased services. Under this heading comes the temporary transfer of flying operations from Rongotai to Paraparaumu. c) The general expansion of aircraft operation involves a related expansion of the inspection service, which carries the important responsibility of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, the supervision of materials from their origin to their incorporation in aircraft, daily maintenance, and licensing and supervision of the personnel engaged in this work. (d) Increase in the technical and administrative staff required at Nadi, since this base is now an important staging-post in the Pacific services. (e) The almost entire assumption of functions and services formerly provided by the Post and Telegraph Department and the R.N.Z.A.F. as regards communications and air traffic control. (/) The generally increased responsibilities in New Zealand's sphere of influence in the Pacific. (g) The growing requirement for modern navigational aids. This total of 383 includes 68 located in the Pacific islands, while 315 are stationed within New Zealand at some twenty-seven localities. New Zealand is experiencing a shortage of qualified technical officers, and it must therefore be expected that the growth of the branch will continue as suitable appointees become available. With the appointment on Ist May, 1918, of Mr. I. A. Scott, 0.8. E., A.M.1.E.E., A.F.R.Ae.S., A.M.N.Z.1.E., as Deputy Director of Civil Aviation, it was possible to advance further with the structural organization of the branch, which is now broadly organized into the following Divisions : (a) Division of the Director of Civil Aviation. (b) Aeronautics Division. (c) Air Navigation Division. (d) Airways Division, including airport engineering, air-traffic control, operations,. and telecommunications sections. (e) Clerical Services Division, dealing with the clerical aspect of airworthiness and aircraft registration, licensing, and general clerical services for all divisions. During the year some 112,000 notices were issued, representing Notices to Airmen, Notices to Aircraft Owners and Engineers, Operations Instructions,, and a variety of statistical returns.

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