DCA Monthly Circulars - 1946


DCA Monthly Circulars were instituted in September 1940 as a means of communicating information throughout the by now far-flung branches of the Department. The Monthly Circulars were continued until December 1950 when they were replaced by Administrative Instructions.

These indexes list noteworthy entries only - minor administrative matters are not listed.


Circular No.65 January 1946

1945-1946 – Message to all Staff from DGCA (D. McVey)

Dept of Civil Aviation War Savings Group
Message from the Prime Minister (Rt Hon J.B. Chifley) The future of the savings scheme, and the need for continued saving.

British Aircraft Industry War Production
This article assesses the expansion of the British aircraft industry through the war years.

Overseas Civil Aviation Organisations
List of functioning overseas and British Commonwealth bodies.

Templehof Airport, Berlin.
A description of the state of the airport and attendant facilities.

Chicago Airport
Plans for a new Chicago Airport.

Assistance to Aero Clubs
Approval granted for financial assistance to approved Aero Clubs.

Aircraft for Departmental use
Two ex US Army Air Force C47 aircraft have been purchased for departmental purposes, including navaid and route testing and pilot checking and training. Click here to find out more about these aircraft.

Air Ambulance ("Flying Doctor") Services
A table of statistics covering the year 1944-1945 has been published.

Additional Aircraft for Civil Airline Companies
The Minister for Civil Aviation has approved the purchase of several types of aircraft from US sources.

Special trips Sydney – Fiji
Four return trips flown at the request of the Governor of Fiji by QANTAS using an Empire Flying Boat (Coriolanus).

The day of the Super size Airliner – may be over before it starts.
The article cites maintenance difficulties and production costs.


Circular No.66 February 1946

Radio Frequency Predictions for the Month of February
A table lists the most suitable H/F frequencies relative to the time of day and the desired distance of propagation and Latitude.

Departmental Motor Transport
A detailed instruction for the care, maintenance and use of motor transport together with a scale of issue and relevant office procedures.

Radio Wave Propagation and the Factors affecting the choice of Frequencies
The article explains how soundings of the atmospheric conditions are taken and analysed prior to the issue of frequency tables.

British Air Transport Government Policy Explained
Three Corporations to be set up, BOAC, one to serve UK and Europe and one to serve South America, all under national ownership and control.


Ci
rcular No.67 March 1946

Aviation Petrol - Increasing Ration from 1.2.46
The ration of aviation fuel allocated to various categories of operator are increased by 50%.

Appreciation of services rendered
The Deputy Director Posts and Telegraphs is appreciative of assistance rendered by Aeradio operators to his staff in the field in the Northern Territory.

Officers seeking Parliamentary and other outside influence
Staff who seek outside or Parliamentary influence to benefit their promotion or prospects, breach the Regulations.

Appointment of Public Relations Officer
Mr A.C. Heintz appointed as Public Relations officer. This appointment is intended to publicise relevant material that benefits the Dept and informs the public about past and present achievements.

Licences, Certificates etc.
Table.

Radio Frequency Predictions and factors affecting the choice of Frequencies - part 2
A continuation of this article.

Statistics
Table reflecting the use of internal Air Services in the years, 1943, 44, and 45. also reflecting an increase in Personal flying through Aero Clubs for the same years.

Melbourne - Wynyard Air Service
The withdrawal of regular services flown by Stinson aircraft led to the introduction of Douglas aircraft. This in turn necessitated improvement in the aerodrome and its technical services, to enable regular service in adverse weather conditions.

Perth to Melbourne in 6 hours
An Australian record for a commercial plane and a world record for a Skymaster aircraft. A.N.A’s "Amana" flew the route in 6 hours 16 mins at an average speed of 285 mph.

Manufacture of Helicopters
Lawrence D. Bell forecasts that in 10 yrs time the helicopter manufacturing industry will be larger than that building small aircraft.

Army R-5 Helicopter sets six world records
Several new speed, altitude and weight carrying records are set by this helicopter.

A 28 passenger DC3
American Airlines have introduced a New York - Boston service with more seats and less cargo space.

Bendix 4 pound Personal Aircraft Receiver
A new light weight radio receiver designed for Aeronautical purposes.


Circular No.68 April 1946

Permits for Entry into Northern Territory and New Guinea
Permits are no longer necessary for civilians visiting Darwin, but are still required for New Guinea.

Footprints on the Sands
It is proposed to compile a multi-volume history of the Australian people’s part in the war. Contributions from Departmental personnel are called for.

Wellington Conference
Decisions are reached on the shape of Air Transport Services to be implemented in the South Pacific Area and the advisory bodies needed. The improvement of Aeronautical facilities in the area is to be a co-operative effort.

PICAO restricts use of "Contact"
Hence forth all reference to "contact" Flight Rules shall be termed "Visual" Flight Rules, this being a more precise and meaningful phrase.

London Airport
Heathrow will, in future, be called London Airport. One of the main reasons is that foreigners have difficulty pronouncing "Heathrow"

Radio Frequency Predictions and factors affecting the choice of Frequencies - part 3
A continuation of this article.

Transport Aircraft in the U.S.A.
A table listing the aircraft types in service with the various airlines as at 1 Jan 1946.

R.A.A.F. Aeradio Stations
The Department is taking over several former R.A.A.F. stations and staff are keen to be appointed to the various Operator in Charge positions.

College of Aeronautics, U.K. Staff Vacancies
Several Lecturing and other positions are open for qualified personnel to work at the college at Cranfield. A syllabus of subjects is presented.

Record Flights
A.N.A. DC4 aircraft set new international flight time records.

New Airspeed Indicator
Kollsman introduces an Airspeed Indicator that indicates the maximum allowable airspeed at all times, compensated for environmental and other conditions, in addition to the actual airspeed.


Circular No.69 May 1946

Duties of Aerodrome Ground Staff
A detailed explanation of the duties and responsibilities of Aerodrome sataff.

Appreciation of Services rendered.
Rear Admiral R. Portal, Royal Navy thanks the department for assistance given to the Royal Navy office, whic is now to be closed.

Singapore Air Route conference
An RAAF, RAF, DCA, and Netherlands East Indies working group, whose objective is to set out standard forms of procedure for operations on this route.

Chief Inspector of Accident Investigations
Wing Commander J.H. Harper is appointed to this position which is to head a panel that investigates accidents independently.

Licences, Certificates etc.
Table.

Statistics
A table of statistics for internal Air Service and club flying.

From Catalina to Hythe
The Perth - Colombo service, flown by Catalinas and latterly Lancastrians and Liberators, ceased in April after 804 crossings. The new air service will be an adjunct to the UK - Singapore - Sydney service. At present Lancastrian and Liberator aircraft operate to Colombo via Singapore but the Hythe Flying Boat is expected to be introduced to this service by the end of the year.

Information and Education
The Department has set up an Education and Information Branch to help staff improve their qualifications and gain general and technical education.

Superintendent of Accident Studies
Flt. Lt. W.E. Boud appointed as Superintendent to further the study of and prevention of accidents.

R.A.A.F. Officers in new D.C.A. jobs
Appointment of six Examiners of Airmen/Airways Surveyors
S/Ldr G.R. Sladen DFC
S/Ldr R.M.Seymour DFC
S/Ldr J.W. Stone


Circular No.70 June 1946

Good-Bye
Farewell message to staff from the DGCA Mr D. McVey. He will hand over to Air Marshal Williams on 11th June.

Aircraft Performance Standards Requirements
Introduction of new performance standards aligned to the category of operation.

AIA to urge separate category for Cargo Aeroplanes
At present cargo operations have to meet the same operational standards as passenger aircraft.

Radio Frequency Predictions and factors affecting the choice of Frequencies - part 4
A continuation of this article

Emergency communications services
A description of the difficulties experienced during flood conditions and the assistance rendered to other instrumentalities by Aeradio operators, working under very difficult conditions.

Statement to the House of Representatives, on Civil Aviation, by the Hon Arthur S. Drakeford Minister for Air and Minister for Aviation 10th April 1946
A comprehensive statement explaining the current state of aviation in the region and plans for the future.

Circular No.71 July 1946

Message from the Director-General
Message to staff from the incoming DGCA Air Marshal R. Williams

Distribution of Leaflets etc from Aircraft
This activity will no longer be permitted.

Air Freight and Mails
Table showing the increasing volume of freight carried by Australian Air Transport 1939- March 1946

Air Court of Inquiry into Accident to Aircraft VH-AET
The Douglas DC3 crashed into the water after a night take-off from Cambridge airport Tasmania.

Hybrid Plane soon for Pacific Route
Type description of the Douglas DC-4M, fitted with Rolls Royce Merlin engines.


Circular No.72 August 1946

Essendon Airport
Description of the planning process, carried out during the war, intended to enlarge the airport and build concrete runways to replace the natural landing surface.

Application of Radar to Commercial use
Developments in the USA will lead to the introduction of Radar on a permanent basis as part of the Air Traffic Control system. This will mean that intervals between aircraft, particularly in the approach and landing phase can be much reduced. Mention is also made of DME and airborne collision avoidance equipment in development.

Australia - U.K. Service
The Hythe Flying boat service will be increased to 3 return trips per week, this, together with the 3 Lancastrian flights will mean a total of 63 seats per week available.

Air Transport in Australia
A national radio broadcast by Air Marshal R. Williams CB CBE DSC. on 21st July 1946


Circular No.73 September 1946

Trans Australia Airlines
The Australian National Airlines Commission will commence it’s first regular Air Service, between Melbourne and Sydney, on the 9th Sept 1946.

Regular Air Services
A schedule giving particulars of the operations of the Airline companies within Australia.

The Australian National Airlines Commission - it’s relations with the Department of Civil Aviation
An explanation of the separate responsibilities of the two organisations.

International Air Services
Statistics relating to the International services operated by QANTAS to Singapore and Karachi.

Borroloola gets a new Aerodrome
History of local efforts to provide a landing ground for the Flying Doctor and the decision taken by the Department to build a proper aerodrome suitable for regular air services.

Return of Air Commodore Cobby to Civil Aviation
After an absence of seven years Air Commodore A.H. Cobby CBE DSO DFC. GM. returns to take up duties in the Department.

New Staff Magazine
Proposed publication of a staff magazine known as the "Inter-Comm"

Tournaments, Theatres and Culture - Aviat Social Institute Plans
The Institute resumes an active role in organising activities for Staff.


Circular No.74 October 1946

Air Freight up 640%
Statistics demonstrating the massive increase in freight and passenger services since 1938.

New Regular Services
A list of many new services introduced by several operators, including the new TAA.

Sydney - Vancouver Air Service
Inauguration of a service from Sydney to Vancouver via Fiji - Canton Is - Honolulu - San Francisco.

Mobile Unit
A description of the work of the Department’s mobile aerodrome maintenance units. The units operate self contained convoys of specialised vehicle that travel into the remotest areas, in the dry season, to maintain airstrips both government and station owned.

Policy in regard to Internal Services
Government Policy in regard to the issue of Airline Licences

US Airlines - weekly route mileages
A table of route mileages flown each week by the five largest operators.

Literature and the Outback
After visiting remote outstations and seeing the paucity of reading material available, Dr K.N.E. Bradfield, the Chief Airports Inspector, helped to organise regular deliveries of magazines and books. The system set up was administered by Miss Williams.


Circular No.75 November 1946

Accidents and Incidents
A comprehensive explanation of terms and the responsibilities of staff.

Essendon Aerodrome
Closed July 1946 for runway works, expected to re-open in November.

News from Darwin
An RAAF DC3 crashed into Darwin Harbour, the Aeradio operator organised a rescue by civil and naval launches and the survivors were picked up within 25 mins.


Circular No.76 December 1946

Aerodrome vehicle and plant establishments
A list of changes in establishment at all aerodromes.

Trans Tasman Air Services
Heavy demand for seats due to lack of sea services.

A few comments on International Civil Aviation Relations
An explanation of how the Department’s work fits in with it’s international responsibilities.

Air Travel Popular
Gallup Poll taken to gauge the public’s preferences for mode of travel - 40% preferred Air travel, 30% ship and 20% train.

Mentone Airport
Selection of a site for Melbourne’s second Airport, to cater for private flying [later Moorabbin].

U.S. Air Travel Boom
Mr J.L. Watkins, former Departmental officer describes Air Travel in the US.


Index compiled by Brian Surtees, CAHS

Click here for the index of DCA Monthly Circulars for 1945, 1947

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