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PART IV—AIRWAYS DIVISION The Airways Division comprises three related sections : (1) The Telecommunications Section. (2) The Airports Section. (3) The Air Traffic Control Section. A Division Controller has not yet been appointed, but it is expected that a recommendation for this position will be submitted in the coming year. 1. Telecommunications Section This Section is now the largest numerically in the Branch, and to illustrate the extensive coverage for which the Section is responsible, Appendix A sets out the numbers of aeradio stations and radio navigational aids in operation in New Zealand and in the Pacific islands, together with the equipment in service. In view of the scope of the Section's work, the report on the year's activities is set forth in somewhat greater detail than usual. (a) Communications To expedite the handling of traffic and permit the most economical use of operatingpersonnel and facilities, a reorganization of the internal point-to-point network for dealing with aeronautical communications was carried out during the year. Area control stations at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch act as distribution centres for messages originating at or destined for satellite stations in their respective areas. Landline teletype circuits between the area centres permit rapid handling of inter-area traffic. Teletype circuits were also established between Wellington and New Plymouth, Wellington and Napier, and Christchurch and Dunedin during the year. These measures have resulted in considerable relief to the congested radio channels handling point-to-point traffic, and have permitted reductions in staff at many stations due to the reduction in the number of radio channels handled at each station. To meet requirements of air traffic control and provide necessary air-to-ground communications on the trunk air route, aeradio stations at Taumarunui and Waitaki were opened on 18th July, 1949, and 20th February, 1950, respectively. A scheme for a flexible but effective communications organization for search and rescue has been worked out, whole-hearted co-operation and offers of voluntary services having been received from all organizations in the country who have facilities available for use in such emergencies. (b) Engineering: General The major effort during the last year has been the consolidation of the temporary installations effected partly during the war years and partly during the change over to high-frequency working made in December, 1948. A certain expansion of facilities to meet the more urgent operational requirements has taken place, but the extreme shortage of suitable qualified staff has seriously retarded the proper design and engineering of permanent installations. Active liaison has been maintained with the operating companies and the R.N.Z.A.F. in the planning of new radio navigational and communications facilities both as regards specific local requirements and the broad planning of a long-term programme. In view of the extreme shortage of dollar funds, a major effort has been put into investigation and, where applicable, modification of the large amount of American equipment used in telecommunications with a view to the utilization of consumable spares from the sterling area. The effort has been successful, and a saving of at least 80 per cent, of our previous dollar expenditure in this connection has been effected.

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