WWII AAF Pilot Training

[Mojave Jack]

OK, all, I need your help again! I'm doing a short video on the Primary Training school that the Army Air Forces ran here at Twentynine Palms during WWII. The unit was the 17th Army Air Forces Flying Detachment, and they flew PT-17s and BT-13s. My problem is that I'm having trouble finding info on the flow of students through the various levels of flight training. Anybody know of a good source that lays out the pilot training course of study?

Thanks!

 

[Dixon Cannon]

USAAF Training

MoJack, the Official Guide to the Army Air Forces - AAF c.1944 has a section on training (chap.3/p.101).

It may be pretty basic but at least it's a good overview of the training process directly from the source. It's a good starting point.

I've got a couple of copies of the book, both in paperback and hardcover. If need be I could scan some pages and email them too you. Or, the book itself always shows up on eBay.

Keep 'em flying!
-Dixon Cannon

 

[jake431]

OK, all, I need your help again! I'm doing a short video on the Primary Training school that the Army Air Forces ran here at Twentynine Palms during WWII. The unit was the 17th Army Air Forces Flying Detachment, and they flew PT-17s and BT-13s. My problem is that I'm having trouble finding info on the flow of students through the various levels of flight training. Anybody know of a good source that lays out the pilot training course of study?

Thanks!

I'll take a look at my books this evening and let you know what books have some material you might use.

-Jake

 

[Mojave Jack]

Thanks, guys! Dixon, that looks like a good book, and I'm not sure why I don't have it! I realized, though, that I've never really paid that much attention to the training that went into making a pilot. I was always much more focused on the "sexier" stuff on the combat side of things. This project is a lot of fun because I am learning so much.

I'll try and find a copy of that book at the base library, or I'll get it interlibrary loan. The librarian here is a friend of mine now from all my requests! I think he enjoys the diversity. In the meantime, though, does the book provide a summary of the training cycles? I assume there was some variation, e.g. Civilian Pilot Training Program, people that already helf private pilot licenses, and so forth, but for right now I'm just trying to fit the Twentynine Palms Air Academy into the general training scheme. I think that it was an intermediate step, following the Elementary training and the specialized training, eg. bombers, fighters, air transport, etc. If it has a brief overview, I could really use that info while I wait for the book to arrive.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

In the mean time...

Here is the whole thing in comic book form!! Enjoy!
http://www.303rdbg.com/wings01.html

-dixon cannon

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Here's a link that might be helpful. http://www.geocities.com/gordonww/months.htm


Found that link from here,...http://members.aol.com/veterans/warlib5a.htm
Lots of info and links at this site.

 

[Mojave Jack]

Dixon and Maj Danger, thanks for the info! Those are both great, and very helpful. The government seems prejudiced against the Geocities link, but I was able to check that out at home last night. Great tales of army life! I wish I had some stories like that from here. I'm sure they're out there, but I have to track them down. There is a little of that in this article: Just follow the Rope. Great article on the glider program with frequent mention of 29 Palms.

Dixon, I've also passed that link on to the other aviators and aviation buffs here. Everyone has gotten a real kick out of it and some of the pilots have thought that was a pretty good refresher!