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Colonial Airlines, Inc 
La Guardia Field 
New York, N.Y. 

9 November 1950 

Mr J. P. Fournier 
Department of Transport 
Civil Aviation Division 
Room 44, Trans-Atlantic Administration Building 
Montreal Airport 
Dorval, P.Q., Canada 

Dear Mr Fournier: 
Ref: 5194-6 5802-1887

        I have your letter of October 26, 1950 requesting from me an explanation of my manner of conducting Flight #402 of September 14, 1950. In answer to question raised in the irregularity report filed by the Montreal Air Traffic Control Center: 

In summation, the Montreal ATC Report says: 

   "a. Refused to comply promptly with ACT instructions, thereby delaying several other aircraft. 
 
   b. Reported over a radio fix, namely Hudson Heights Fan Marker, which did not conform either to the standard elliptical holding pattern West of Montreal, nor the radio fix (Hemingford), specified in ATC Clearance." 

        I would like to say that to the best of my recollection, I endeavored to comply with all instructions as quickly and as promptly as I could, all circumstances being considered. However, it must be borne in mind that when holding in the Traffic Pattern, it takes a certain amount of time to start a new maneuver, because first the present maneuver must be completed so as to maintain our relative position. Sometimes other factors enter into a holding problem such as wind, which seriously interferes with navigation. For example, on that particular day, while holding, it took almost twice as long to return to the rang station while flying in the standard elliptical pattern. With such a conditions in the interest of safety, one is apt to be a little extra cautious and double check everything and after two hours of this, one certainly becomes somewhat fatigued and apt to slow down a little. However, alacrity in the complying with ACT instructions is only as fast as permitted after the immediate consideration for the navigation and safety requirements of the moment.