H—37

1. Inspection Section This Section comprises the Chief Surveyor, three District Aircraft Surveyors (one each at Auckland, Palmerston North, and Hare wood), eight Surveyors, and one Assistant Surveyor. Of a total of 284 aircraft on the New Zealand Register, 217 were surveyed during the year. Twenty Certificates of Airworthiness were issued, 9 validated, 188 renewed, and 13 cancelled. Ratings issued to approved firms totalled 98 as at 31st March, 1950, 9 being issued during the year and 23 extended. One of the major features of the Section's work is the written and oral examination of candidates for the various categories of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Licence. Tables showing the current licences and the categories in which they are held appears in Appendix B to this report. At the request of the Fiji Government, the Chief Surveyor visited Fiji for the purpose of surveying all civil aircraft in the colony. 2. Engineering Section This Section is headed by a Senior Aeronautical Engineer (airframes) and a Senior Aeronautical Engineer (power plants).

The following table gives details of the new designs and specifications investigated during the year :

Numerous other special investigations were conducted, each of which was the subject of a special report. Fifty-five modifications and 9 repair schemes were submitted by operators and were accepted, returned for amendment, or rejected. A detailed study of all existing British, American, and German design and performance requirements for gliders was made, and as a result a complete set of New Zealand Glider Requirements has been produced to the satisfaction of the New Zealand Gliding Association. 3. Technical Administration Section The Section was primarily responsible for drafting the amendments to the regulations and Air Navigation Directions 9, 10, 10a, and 11, referred to in Part 111 of this report. Details of the Requirements, Notices, &c., published during the year are as follows : (i) Requirements .. .. .. .. 2 (ii) Notices to Aircraft Owners and Engineers .. ... 65 (iii) Civil Aviation Information Circulars .. .. . 24 (iv) Standing Instructions to Airworthiness Division .. 9 In addition to the foregoing, a number of draft amendments in respect of various matters is in course of preparation.

37

Item. Received. Checked. Approved. Rejected. Aircraft designs 1 1 1 Glider designs 1 1 1 New processes 2 2 2 i New materials 1 1 Accessories 1 1 i Aircraft type records 5 5 4 6 I Glider type records 7 7 i New material specifications 48 48 48