Women's Flying Training Detachment
Encyclopedia
The Women's Flying Training Detachment was a group of women pilots during World War II
. Their main job was to take over male pilot's jobs, such as ferrying planes from factories to Army Air Force installations, in order to free male pilots to fight overseas. They later merged with the Women Airforce Ferrying Squadron (formerly the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) to form the Women Airforce Service Pilots
.
observed that an organization had been founded for English women pilots to do jobs for male pilots
, such as plane ferrying. Being quite interested, she contacted General Henry H. Arnold
suggesting that a similar organization be founded in the United States. He approved on September 15, 1942, and the Women's Flying Training Detachment was born. Around the same time, some other women pilots, such as Nancy Harkness Love
, were also founding similar organizations in which female pilots replaced male pilots in order that the men could be moved to more important duties.
, TX and the training increased to 210 hours flying
time and became 30 weeks long. To be accepted, trainees were required to be between 21 and 35 years of age, and had to have at least 200 hours flying time before entering. This later dropped to 18 years of age minimum and at least 35 hrs. flying experience. The training consisted of mostly cross-country flying
with no gun
nery.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Their main job was to take over male pilot's jobs, such as ferrying planes from factories to Army Air Force installations, in order to free male pilots to fight overseas. They later merged with the Women Airforce Ferrying Squadron (formerly the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) to form the Women Airforce Service Pilots
Women Airforce Service Pilots
The Women Airforce Service Pilots and its predecessor groups the Women's Flying Training Detachment and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron were pioneering organizations of civilian female pilots employed to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces...
.
Early history
While on a trip to England, Jacqueline CochranJacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran was a pioneer American aviator, considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation...
observed that an organization had been founded for English women pilots to do jobs for male pilots
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
, such as plane ferrying. Being quite interested, she contacted General Henry H. Arnold
Henry H. Arnold
Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold was an American general officer holding the grades of General of the Army and later General of the Air Force. Arnold was an aviation pioneer, Chief of the Air Corps , Commanding General of the U.S...
suggesting that a similar organization be founded in the United States. He approved on September 15, 1942, and the Women's Flying Training Detachment was born. Around the same time, some other women pilots, such as Nancy Harkness Love
Nancy Harkness Love
Nancy Harkness Love , born Hannah Lincoln Harkness, was an American pilot and commander during World War II.-Early life:The daughter of a wealthy physician, Harkness developed an intense interest in aviation at an early age. At 16 she took her first flight and earned her pilot's license within a...
, were also founding similar organizations in which female pilots replaced male pilots in order that the men could be moved to more important duties.
Training
Initially, the training in Houston, TX, lasted 23 weeks and included 115 flying time. However, not long after, the program moved to SweetwaterSweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,415 at the 2000 census.-History:Sweetwater received a U.S. post office in 1879. The Texas and Pacific Railway started service in 1881, with the first train arriving on March 12 of that year, beginning...
, TX and the training increased to 210 hours flying
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
time and became 30 weeks long. To be accepted, trainees were required to be between 21 and 35 years of age, and had to have at least 200 hours flying time before entering. This later dropped to 18 years of age minimum and at least 35 hrs. flying experience. The training consisted of mostly cross-country flying
Cross-country flying
Cross-Country flying is a type of distance flying which is performed in a powered aircraft on legs over a given distance and in operations between two points using navigational techniques; and an unpowered aircraft by using upcurrents to gain altitude for extended flying time...
with no gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
nery.