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in New Zealand to reinforce the technical strength of the K.N.Z.A.F. The service to Singapore via Norfolk Island, Brisbane, Cloncurry, Darwin, and Sourabaya- was inaugurated on the 24th April, 1948, and continued on a fortnightly basis until September, when the flow of R.A.F. recruits ceased because of the diversion of R.A.F. Transport Command to the Berlin air lift. An analysis of the Singapore schedule is as follows : Total number of trips .. .. .. 8 Passengers carried .. .. .. .. 148 Freight and mail .-. .. .. ..13,803 Ib. Hours flown .. .. .. .. 640 The routine schedule to Norfolk Island was also terminated in July, 1948, following the disestablishment of the R.N.Z.A.F. Station at Norfolk. Within New Zealand No. 41 Squadron provided weekly lifts between Whenuapai and Wigram for the dual purpose of training and the carriage of stores and service personnel between R.N.Z.A.F. stations. The General Purpose Flight established at Ohakea provided essential air lifts in New Zealand. Since September, 1948, the R.N.Z.A.F. has been represented in the Berlin air lift by three crews flying R.A.F. Dakota aircraft. Ancilliary Services Meteorological Services. —The meteorological service required by the Air Force is provided by the Meteorological Branch of Air Department. The report of the Director of Meteorological Services appears in a separate section of this report. Shortage of staff continues to restrict the provision of forecasting services. Air Traffic Control Division. —This division of the Civil Aviation Branch provides air traffic control and flight information services for the R.N.Z.A.F. in addition to discharging its civil aviation responsibilities. All personnel at Air Force stations are members of the Territorial Air Force and work as members of the R.N.Z.A.F. Search and Rescue. —The Air Traffic Control Division also co-ordinates search-and-rescue operations, in which the Air Force assisted on twenty-four occasions during the year. The activities of this Division are detailed in the report of the Director of Civil Aviation. Aeronautical Research The defence science organization, established in 1947, now includes the Advisory Aeronautical Research Committee which was separately established in June, 1947. This Committee is now on the same level, in its own sphere, as the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee. The Defence Scientific Corps, comprised of officers who are primarily scientists and secondarily members of the Armed Forces, was further augmented by four well-qualified officers who are to engage in research projects co-ordinated by the Commonwealth Advisory Committees on Defence Science and Aeronautical Research. The full report on defence science research is submitted separately by the defence scientific organization. • . Personnel During the year the number of personnel serving on indefinite engagements has been substantially reduced and the number on regular engagements has increased. Service on a temporary basis is being discouraged as far as possible with the ultimate object of having R.N.Z.A.F. fully manned with personnel on regular engagements.

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