Army Pilot Training in the '30s

quixote100104

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Greetings :),

Does anyone know how long pilot training took in the Army Air Corps in the 1930s? The character in question is destined to have his first assignment be to the 17th Attack Group in the mid to late 1930s, when they were still flying the A-17, if that matters. He would have joined the Army as soon as he was old enough and arrived wit strong civillian piloting skills (his father was a WWI vet and rabid flying enthusiast). I'm trying to figure out when to have him join in order to be a qualified pilot in the group no later than '37-'38.

Thanks :),
 
Puma

Puma

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No idea, but I saw your thread with no responses. You might check into something like the Tuskegee Airmen or even see if there is any information on some of the manufacturers sites (Boeing, Lockheed, North American Aviation) they might have history links. Or, do some Googling on the A-17 to see what you can come up with. Puma
 
tallus83

tallus83

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Go to the library and get a copy of 'The Wild Blue' by Stephen E. Ambrose. It deals with WW2, but will give you a sense of what went into pilot training and how long it took.

In the '30s he would need to be a college grad to be an officer, and go through training. The days of 90-day Wonders, and high school grad pilot cadets had yet to happen.

Even with civilian pilot skills, he would still have to go through the complete military course even if it was just to test his skills.
 
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