I was wondering if anyone had some insight here on the actual training that was given to artillery and liaison pilots during the war. I have read in different places the overall curriculum, but I'm interested in the actual techniques etc that were taught. Also, who were the instructor pilots? Civilians with military check pilots?
It seems to me that these schools, Ft. Sill, etc., were likely teaching some of the most focused and aggressive stick and rudder flying ever, which was really the distilled collective knowledge of 1930s flying, militarized. I've done a good bit of research on the CPTP/WTS and the USAAF and USN primary flying training, and what is clear is that the instructors were all civilians for the most part, many of whom cut their chops in1930s flying. The flying done by artillery pilots and liaison pilots during the war seems to me to have likely been some of the most impressive flying of light aircraft ever in terms of stick and rudder skills. Nowadays everyone whips themselves into a froth about "bush flying" and bush pilot techniques when, to me, it all goes back to those 1940s guys and their skills. The artillery and liaison instructor pilots, whomever they were, seem to be at the center of it. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.
It seems to me that these schools, Ft. Sill, etc., were likely teaching some of the most focused and aggressive stick and rudder flying ever, which was really the distilled collective knowledge of 1930s flying, militarized. I've done a good bit of research on the CPTP/WTS and the USAAF and USN primary flying training, and what is clear is that the instructors were all civilians for the most part, many of whom cut their chops in1930s flying. The flying done by artillery pilots and liaison pilots during the war seems to me to have likely been some of the most impressive flying of light aircraft ever in terms of stick and rudder skills. Nowadays everyone whips themselves into a froth about "bush flying" and bush pilot techniques when, to me, it all goes back to those 1940s guys and their skills. The artillery and liaison instructor pilots, whomever they were, seem to be at the center of it. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.
