Basic Flight Training

 After the passing of my mother (Daddy's second wife, Jane Faulk Watt) in April 2009, we were going through everything in her attic and I found a box with his pilot log books...both military and civilian.  What a treasure!  Using his military log book, I am able to trace his flight training and service in the Air Corps.

Interestingly, he started taking flying lessons while at Georgia Tech.  He applied and received License # 89214-41.  His first flight recorded in his log book was on January 20, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia in a Piper J-3 Cub NC25788 (just like the one in the photo).  The plane was powered by a very small Lycoming 50 horsepower engine.  On the section for 'Duration of Flight' is written 37 hours 50 minutes.  However, in his handwriting off to the side is a note that reads "Obtained licensure at Southern Airways on C.P.T. (Civilian Pilot Training) Program."  Which leads me to believe he had already received 37 hours instruction prior to this first entry in this book.