In 1935, the training syllabus outlined a one year course involving 465 hours of ground school and 300 hours of flight school. In 1941 there were about 6500 Naval pilots and around half were reservists. In 1939, new regulations allowed continued expansion and the ability to retain pilots. Regulars could not supply all the numbers needed so Aviation Cadets were utilised as well as enlisted men, NAPs. In 1934, the USN obtained permission to increase pilot strength by 2000. Interestingly, by law, only naval aviators could command carriers, seaplane tenders and NASs.

I will try to give a highly condensed version. I can't reproduce it because it is lengthy and my typing skills are poor. If you can get your hands on 'The First Team' by John Lundstrom, go to Appendix 1 and there is a complete discussion of Navy pilot training prior to and during WW2. When firing practice started differs, The USAAF started in the Advanced Schools, in the USN it seems to start in the Operational training which isn't as bad as it seems as USN Operational Training covers 100 hours but the USAAF covers about 50 hours but you should remember that deck training would take up some of the difference.Īs to Pensicola it doesn't look as if Operational Training took place there so combat manoeuvres did take place but not firing practice. What the RAF call OCU Operational Conversion Unit seems to equal the USAAF Transition Training and the USN Operational Training, in that here the Students are introduced to the front line aircraft.Ĭombat manoeuvres were taught as well as increased skills in navigation, formation and instrument flying were taught in the USAAF and RAF Advanced training schools and the USN Intermediate Training schools. However when comparing the USN with USAAF and RAF training the terminology is different. I must make clear that this is something that is still a work in progress so keep that in mind. I am still trying to nail this down beyond doubt, but all the current indicators seem to be supporting that position. This goes against the normal understanding that they had more training in air to air combat. As a result the USN aircrew had no more training in Gunnery than the USAAF and in the latter part of the war less than the RAF or FAA.

What is interesting is that gunnery training only started at the Operational training stage. Front line aircraft were used at this point Wildcat, Hellcat, Corsair, Dauntless, Helldiver, Avenger ect.Īfter deck qualifying on the Wolverine or Sable or the escort carrier Charger which was sometimes used they were posted to operational squadrons.

Operational Training at 17 stations (don't have exact list) on operational aircraft for 2 months and approx 100 hours. Intermediate Training at Pensicola or Corpus Christie on Vultee Valient, Texan, Kingfisher or Catalina depending on branch selected. Primary Training normally in a Stearman at the N Carolina, Iowa, Georgia and California flight schools (sorry don't have exact place names). Training in light aircraft often Piper Cubs at 92 colleges and civilian flight schools where most of the washout took place. There were four stages of training for the USN.

Ww2 air combat maneuvers pdf