Item Description
Original Items. Only One Group Available. The Civilian Pilot Training Flight Instructor's Badge was worn by government-sponsored civilian pilot instructors who trained pilots during the Second World War. This is a fantastic example of those scarce wings along with an Army crusher cap with insignia for the same program to the front. Anything to civilian trainers is extremely difficult to find.
The wings are in great shape and are marked STERLING to the reverse. The pin is in good working order, and the wings measure 3⅝” long.
The crusher cap is in great shape and is made by Biltmore Cap, and is approximately size 7. The insignia to the front is also marked STERLING, a shield with an eagle’s head and an enormous set of wings, gorgeous.
The use of civilian flight instructors to train USAAF and USN aviation cadets in primary flight schools is an interesting story. As part of the New Deal, the FDR administration set up the civilian aeronautical association (CAA) to try to spur the American civilian aviation industry. The idea was that pilot training programs would increase the number of civilian pilots, civilian aviation companies, and the building of airports. Privately run flight schools and University and collage-run flight and aeronautical programs began to crop up all over the country.
As it became apparent that the US was likely to become involved in hostilities in Europe or the Pacific, the military became acutely aware of the totally inadequate military pilot training (they were training about 500 pilots a year) that was available. The solution was to utilize these civilian flight schools to train aviation cadets in the basics of flight. Initially, about 25 schools were contracted out to train pilots in primary flight schools for the military. Since the instructors were civilians, they didn’t have any specific uniforms or insignia that they wore. However, many of the schools adopted wings, patches, and cap badges that their instructors could wear.
A scarce set to find in any condition, ready for further research and display!
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