Evening star., 1943-09-01

At primary school, the cadet flies his first
Navy ship, the Boeing kaydet. He learns
simple acrobatics, sky discipline, night and
formation flying.
The Nays exacting teaching methods
were vindicated when 110 cadets, some ON
their first solo, got caught in a severe rain
squall Visibility was cut half-a-mile, COM
mercial pilots would have been grounded, vet
every student got home safely.
But flying is only half the story at primary.
He studies communications, navigation, gum
merry and recognition - subjects he never
drops, since the Navy expects each pilot to be
an expert navigator, bombardier, gunner and
radio man.
After primary, successful cadets go to IN
termedlate school at Corpus Christi or PEN
sacola. In Link trainers and hooded planes
they learn blind flying. They improve their
aerial technique in the Vultee Valiant basic
trainer.
Student Plans Own Career
Only then may student indicate his choice
of the combat plane he wants to f1y-fghter,
patrol bomber, scout, dive or torpedo bomber,
or scout observation plane. The specialists.
who have watched the cadet since the Begin
ming of his training, make the final decision.
but they usually find the student chooses for
himself the plane he is best suited to f1y.
In earning their gold wings and commits
s1ons, they have had to prove themselves
again and again.
One fighter director, twice decorated for
actions against the Japs, said: "I've seen men
killed because they lacked that final touch of
perfection that makes great combat pilot.
No man will graduate from this squadron un-
less believe him eminently suited for fighter
action against the enemy"
Graduation of Navy pilot does not con-
clude his training. His next stop is opera
tional school where he flies combat ships.
Here he first meets the power and speed
which make our warplanes SO successful.
Veterans Teach New Tactics
Pilots who have been making simulated
carrier landings in 600-hp North American
Texans must now learn to do the same thing
in Douglas Dauntlesses, Grumman Ayen-
gers and Wildcats, and Vonght Corsairs-
Fighter pilots, direct from war zones, teach
the maneuvers that helped them down their
prey. New torpedo attack methods are Taught
by men who developed them in action.
Patrol and scout bomber pilots are taught
by experts, too. A Catalina squadron may be
taught by one of the men who used his ply
as dive bomber at Kiska. Scout observation
pilots learn how to make catapult takeoffs and
to land Klnghshers in rough water.
When the Naval aviator has had manv
weeks of this simulated combat flying, he is
ready. He may be assigned as a replacement
in veteran squadron or he may become a
member of a new unit. Veteran squadron
members all act as instructors. They soon
teach him the teamwork and tactics they use
in battle. In short order he is as much part
of the squadron as if he had flown with it
since its inception.
If new squadron is formed it usually
means waiting for new carrier to be COM
missioned. The time is not wasted Every min
ute Of it is spent "teaming up" at air stations.
By the time the new carrier goes to sea its
fiiers not only know each others flying habits
and characters perfectly but have developed
the esprit de corps of veteran organization.