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Availability of Aeronautical Data

a vast amount of information which, although at present available to all the Allies, is not likely to be so after the declaration of Peace, and should prove of great value to Canada ^[1]

165.225.36.135 ( talk) 13:52, 4 October 2019 (UTC)

Canadian Air Force and "Air Engineer" relationship in Canada

The CAF collar badges of 1920-24 do not reflect the Canadian Air Force initials of C.A.F, in fact, upon a close look they are "C.A.A" Canadian Army Aviator? Canadian Aviation Authority ?? Civil Aviation Air-man?  

some "Official History" that identifies that the RCAF was originally a "Corps" under the control of the Canadian Militia / Army:

During the 2nd Session, 24th Parliament, 1959 Bill C-27, "An Act to amend the National Defence Act" [2], (re French name of R.C.A.F. ) was read and considered clause by clause.

Heard by the committee in explanation of the Bill: Brigadier W. J. Lawson, Judge Advocate General, National Defence Department.

Senator Wall: I wonder if the word "corps" in its definition, from its roots, has not a wider connotation than we are actually putting on it right now?

Brigadier W. J. Lawson : I agree with that, Mr. Chairman, but the word “corps” has a special military meaning[3] .

Brigadier W. J. Lawson : "We know that when the Air Force was first established it was a corps of the army" [4] CanadianAME (talk) 10:53, 30 May 2017 (UTC)

Regulations and Orders issued by the Crown or Government in Canada are officially recorded in the "CANADA GAZETTE" - Likewise, the same practice is followed in the United Kingdom. Once published in the 'GAZETTE" the regulation and / or order becomes an official document - along with all changes made thereafter. No regulation made [...] is effective until it has been published in the Canada Gazette and every such regulation shall be laid before Parliament within fifteen days after it is made or, if Parliament is not then in session, within fifteen days after the commencement of the next ensuing session[5].”

The Canadian Militia / Army issued regulations pertinent to the uniform, awards, decorations and emblems allowed to be worn by Officers and Enlisted men. This document also contains specific details as to the history, evolution and composition of the heraldry of the badges and insignia worn. The badges of the Canadian Army Aviators from the day they were created until they became a unique force with their own regulations will be referenced in such a regulation book, which more than likely will NOT be found in a Canadian Air Force reference library, but would be recorded in a Canadian MILITIA and ARMY reference library.

Newspapers of the day also documented "happenings and events. These records of actual events are a good source reference that identify people, places and dates.. as well as terminology. One such event which received world wide recognition was the departure of "Amundsen's Polar Expedition" from Seattle on an expected 5yr Scientific Quest. This quest was to include "Polar Flights" and therefore needed pilots.. the" Daily Colonist" newspaper in Victoria BC noted that crew members on the quest include Lieutenant E.G Fullerton, former Canadian army avlator[6] Unfortunately, Lt. Fullerton had more interrest in womanising, and was literally kicked off the boat as a result.

Jump up ^ SINGLETON, CLINT (1953). "The Black Eagle came home". True Adventure... Mr. (May): 42. Retrieved 21 May 2017. Jump up ^ Lawson, William Joseph (10 March 1959). "PROCEEDINGS OF CANADA PARLIAMENT SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE". RECORD OF THE SENATE OF CANADA. Report of the Committee: pg.22. Retrieved 29 May 2017. Jump up ^ Lawson, William Joseph (10 March 1959). "PROCEEDINGS OF CANADA PARLIAMENT SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE". RECORD OF THE SENATE OF CANADA. Report of the Committee: pg.22. Retrieved 29 May 2017. Jump up ^ Lawson, William Joseph (10 March 1959). "PROCEEDINGS OF CANADA PARLIAMENT SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE". RECORD OF THE SENATE OF CANADA. Report of the Committee: pg.22. Retrieved 29 May 2017. Jump up ^ Hayden, Salter A. (10 March 1959). "PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE". Journal of the SENATE of CANADA. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE: pg.4. Retrieved 30 May 2017. Jump up ^ "MAUD DEPARTS FOR POLAR SEA : Amundsen's Expedition Sails From Seattle on Scientific Quest in Arctic". The Daily Colonist. Vol.150: pg.1. 4 June 1922. Retrieved 29 May 2017.

AIR Engineer

Airworthiness Inspection Representative of the Canadian Air Board - Department of Militia, 1919. ^[2]

Lt. Col. E. W. Stedman, as Director of Technical Service, "technical branch to undertake the engineering and scientific work of the Air Board, the need for

which has been felt for sometime. It is recognized that without the highest efficiency in this branch, the flying service cannot operate successfully, nor can the control of civil aviation be undertaken with satisfaction to commercial aviation firms, to the industry or to the public generally.

The technical branch will not only be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the main engine repair section, aircraft repair section, and other repair depots, but will advise the Controller of Civil Aviation in all technical matters connected with the certification of airworthiness of machines, and will likewise advise the Inspector General of the Canadian

Air Force, and the Director of Flying Operations with regard to technical considerations in connection with improvements in design end modification of machines and equipment". ^[3]

Aeronautical Ground Engineers Educated, Personnel working and Air Engineer Licenses issued in Canada

By 1922, under the provisions of the National Defence Act, 1922, the powers, duties and functions given the Air Board under the Air Board Act of 1919 are vested in the Minister of National Defence. The executive duties previously carried out by the Air Board are now performed by the Canadian Air Force. ^[5]

The Air Force includes a directorate in the Chief of Staff's Branch of the Department of National Defence, headquarters at Ottawa. ^[6] Headquarters branch is charged with:

1) the inspection and licensing of aircraft for airworthiness; 
2) the examination of Pilots for competency, 
3) the examination of AIR Engineers for competency. 

4) the examination of Air Navigators for competency

Air Engineer's Licences (5 types) were issued under the Air Board Regulations in the following categories:

1) Division 'A' - Inspection of aircraft before flight

2) Division 'B' - Inspection of aircraft undergoing construction or complete overhaul

3) Division 'C' - Installation and inspection of aero engines before flightt

4) Division 'D' - Inspection of aero engines undergoing construction or complete overhaul

5) Division 'X' - Inspection and certification of other work (i.e electrical / compass)

Duties

responsible for maintaining the validity of the certificate of airworthiness,

certify each day on which a flight is made that the aircraft is safe in every way for flight

The experience during the past two years has been that b some cases there has b^n a tendency to consider such certificates as merely a piece of formality which must be folfilled.

Certificates have been signed without the ground engineer bmng in poeseesion of the necessary evidence.

When an aircraft has been granted an Air Ministry certificate of airworthines, has been used in a normal manner, and b reported sati^actory by the pilot, there haa been a tendency to assume that all b well, and to certify accordingly without making that careful examination of the machine and that detailed inquiry into what has happened to it since the last examinatioD, which is essential.

The latter point is particnlariy emphasized. If the ground engdueer constantly travelled in the machine he would know exactly what had happened to it, and exactly where to look for possible signs of trouble.

He could put his finger on defects which many hours of search would not reveal unless their existence was suspected.

Sometimes the ground engineer hands over the machine to the pilot and takes but little, if any, interest in what happens on its journey, although the pilot generally bases his certificate as to fitness for each flight on the ground engineer’s daily certificate, and may also rely on the ground engineer to see that the petrol, oil and water in the tanka are sufficient for the proposed journey.

responsible for the airworthiness of the machine until the very moment when it takes the air - the last few minutes on the ground

and the first few in the air often provide evidence which should be carefully noted.

Commonly spelt "Air Engineer" or air engineer. a much shortened term for "British Imperial Air Ministry Aeronutical Ground Engineer". In England and many other areas of the Dominions and Commonwealth they were identified as "Ground Engineers" are defined as "A person Licensed to Certify the Safety for flight of an aircraft, or parts thereof, in accordance with the regulations for the time being in force" ^[7] With the changes made to the RCAF in Canada in 1968, the Air Force no longer held control of Civil Aviation in Canada. The Terminology in use in Canada in 1968-1969 was " Aircraft Engineer " defined as "a person licensed by the competent authority to certify that inspections, required by the regulations for the time being in force, have been made" ^{[8] [9]}

Privileges attached to an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence ^{[8] [10]}. "A licensee whose licence is endorsed under Category "A" may:

(a) before flight, certify as airworthy or serviceable, any aircraft of a type endorsed on his licence under that Category;

(b) certify that any minor repair or any replacement made to any aircraft of a type endorsed on his licence under that Category complies with the standards of airworthiness established by the Minister"

Distinct from the "Flight Engineer" - a position within the Crew of a Civil Aviation aircraft. Defined as "A member of the Crew of an aircraft charged with its mechanical supervision" ^[11]. In 1943 RAF Bomber command implemented this position and role to bring much needed technical ability to the crews flying complex bombers - more info needed on this.

Military aeronautics did not exist in Canada prior to World War I.

During World War I, Canadian military personnel flew with British military units of the Royal Army, Royal Engineers / Royal Flying Corps.

17 January 1920 : Canada - Air Board issued Air Regulations for 1920 come into effect establishing Air Regulations that required all Pilots, AIR Engineers, and aircraft to be licensed with the Air Board. ^[12] The Air Regulations also empowered the “Air Board” to conduct flying operations using government-owned aircraft and to form the first true CAF post WW1. The first chairman of the Canadian Air Board, Colonel Oliver Mowat Biggar, 2nd Canadian Judge Advocate-General, & Vice-Chairman brought to his duties knowledge of overseas air policies gained while he attended the Paris Peace Conference as a Canadian delegate; ^[13]

20 April 1920 : Robert McCombie is issued with the one of the first Canadian “AIR Engineer” licences.

26 June 1921 : Air Accident : Type : Curtiss JN-4, registration : Canada C-GAAM, Fatalities : None. Board of Inquiry noted that "closer inspection of aircraft of this age and more Air Engineer courses are recommended"

September 1927 : Canadian Department of National Defence policy for approved "Canadian Flying Clubs" is that the Department will issue to any duly incorporated club or association approved by the Minister of National Defence for this purpose, two light aeroplanes free of charge. The club or association will be required to:

1) make proper provision for the housing, maintenance and repair of the aeroplanes, 
2) to arrange for the use of a flying field (or a seaplane base) 
3) to arrange forthe services of a qualified instructor to be approved by this Department to supervise the flying, and 
4) to arrange for a licensed AIR Engineer for the maintenance of the aircraft in an airworthy condition

Standard Conditions for Light Aeroplane Clubs and Associations Canada 
[14] circa 1928 
[15] specify that the club provide:
1) a flying field which filled the requirements of the Air Regulations [1920]; 
2) storage for the aircraft and equipment from the Department of National Defence; 
3) arrange for an air instructor and licensed air engineer; 
4) have a roll of at least thirty members prepared to qualify as pilots, and 
5) at least ten members who have already qualified and were "desirous of continuing to fly". 

The Department of National Defence would then provide:

 A) two aircraft and additional necessary equipment; 
B) a $100 grant for each student who qualified for a pilot's license; 
C) periodical inspection of aircraft; 
D) a board of inquiry to investigate any accidents.  (source ref: - Canada Gazette, Order in Council 24 September 1927 P.C. # 1878)

1940 : G.A. Thompson, General manager of Canadian Airways Limited, writes the Chief of Air Services to complain about technical / maintenance personnel "poaching” by the RCAF and continued to complain of personnel shortages after the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan began to fall into stride: In order to fulfill our contract to operate No. 2 Air Observers' School at Edmonton it will be necessary for us to draw on Canadian Airways' engineers for key positions and for training of other mechanics at the 0bservers' School. This means that on some of our longer runs it will be difficult for us to send as crew men licenced air engineers to certify the aircraft and engine airworthy each day as required by Air Regulations.... To take care of this situation might we suggest that our experienced pilots be granted temporary air engineers' certificates for the duration of the war, so that they will be in a position to sign out any aircraft and will only require a helper with them as crew men.... This would materially assist not only Canadian Airways northern operations but most probably the operations of all companies operating in the north.... I understand a very similar arrangement has been made to provide B and D licensed air engineers for the elementary pilots training schools.... “ ^[16]

05 January 1952 : Canada Gazette : Aircraft Mechanic, Grade 1. Department of Transport, Edmonton, Alta. $214-9242 per month. Open to qualified male residents of the Edmonton Air Services District (which consists of the Province of Alberta, the Northwest Territories west of the 110th meridian, Yukon Territory and that part of British Columbia north and east of a line ten miles west of the Alaska Highway). Qualifications:

1) High school education; 
2) At least five years of experience in the maintenance and repair of aircraft and aircraft engines;
3) Personal suitability and satisfactory physical condition conforming to the requirements for a Private Pilot's Licence; 
4) Possesion of an Air Engineer's Certificate endorsed in categories  “A " and "C" or 
5) Possesion of the new Aircraft Maintenance Engineers " M " licence under Category “A”  for at least one of the following aircraft; Douglas DC-3;  Lockhead 1848. 10-A or 12-A;  Beechcraft C-18-VS or D-17-S;  Avro Anson V ;  DeHaviland DHC-2.
[17]

AIR Engineers ^[18] are the Canadian equivalent of the British Ground Engineer ^[19] their training and licencing follows the British format and guidance materials. ^{[20] [21] [22]}

References