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.
Circular
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.As "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 peoples
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 its 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 - its 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 Departments 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 Departments work fits in with its
international responsibilities.
Air
Travel Popular
Gallup Poll taken to gauge the publics preferences for mode of travel
- 40% preferred Air travel, 30% ship and 20% train.
Mentone
Airport
Selection of a site for Melbournes 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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