I experienced my first flight in 1935. it was a round trip from North Grafton Airport to Revere Airport. The pilot was Whitin Whittali and the plane was a 5 place razor back Fairchild.
In 1936 the Jennings Bros. Became the fixed base operators of the Grafton Airport, hence Jennings Bros. Air Service. My brother, Joe, was an airport rat and assisted owners of the airport, James and Whitin Whittal or any other aviator. It is said when Jennings Bros, took over the airport, James Whittal gave them the keys and said "Joe goes with them."
By 1941, Joe was a seasoned instructor pilot, and I was a line boy. While in high school I learned a great deal about aircraft mechanics along with my line boy activities. My line boy pay paid for my flying time and brother Joe soloed me on July 14,1941.
I enlisted in the Navy V-5 program on 12/2/43 and reported to Williams College for pre-preflight training. In January 1943,1 reported to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for pre-flight training. Upon completing the pre-flight course, on my exit physical I was turned down because acne on my face. Reason being my face would be irritated by the oxygen mask, and yet they offered me an aircraft gunner’s position. I chose a medical discharge.
Prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 4/23/43,1 spoke to the flight surgeon regarding the acne. The surgeon's reply was just pass the tests. Don't worry about the acne, it may clear up before you graduate.
My first assignment was basic training in Atlantic City, NJ. After completing the course, I was sent to pre-preflight school at the University of Buffalo. Included in the program were a few hours in a J-3 Cub at the Buffalo Airport. Upon completion it was off to Maxwell Field, Alabama for pre-flight school. Upon completing the course it was off to primary flying in Camden, South Carolina. My first flight in a Stearman 220 HP Continental engine was 1/18/44. I completed my last flight on 3/18/44 and graduated shortly after on 3/23/44.
I reported to basic flying school at Bush Field, Augusta, GA and had my first flight in a BT 15 Vultee Valient on 3/27/44. My last flight in a BT-13A was on 4/14/44. I washed out of the pilot program.
I experienced my first flight in 1935. it was a round trip from North Grafton Airport to Revere Airport. The pilot was Whitin Whittali and the plane was a 5 place razor back Fairchild.
In 1936 the Jennings Bros. Became the fixed base operators of the Grafton Airport, hence Jennings Bros. Air Service. My brother, Joe, was an airport rat and assisted owners of the airport, James and Whitin Whittal or any other aviator. It is said when Jennings Bros, took over the airport, James Whittal gave them the keys and said "Joe goes with them."
By 1941, Joe was a seasoned instructor pilot, and I was a line boy. While in high school I learned a great deal about aircraft mechanics along with my line boy activities. My line boy pay paid for my flying time and brother Joe soloed me on July 14,1941.
I enlisted in the Navy V-5 program on 12/2/43 and reported to Williams College for pre-preflight training. In January 1943,1 reported to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for pre-flight training. Upon completing the pre-flight course, on my exit physical I was turned down because acne on my face. Reason being my face would be irritated by the oxygen mask, and yet they offered me an aircraft gunner’s position. I chose a medical discharge.
Prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 4/23/43,1 spoke to the flight surgeon regarding the acne. The surgeon's reply was just pass the tests. Don't worry about the acne, it may clear up before you graduate.
My first assignment was basic training in Atlantic City, NJ. After completing the course, I was sent to pre-preflight school at the University of Buffalo. Included in the program was a few hours in a J-3 Cub at the Buffalo Airport. Upon completion it was off to Maxwell Field, Alabama for pre-flight school. Upon completing the course it was off to primary flying in Camden, South Carolina. My first flight in a Stearman 220 HP Continental engine was 1/18/44. I completed my last flight on 3/18/44 and graduated shortly after on 3/23/44.
I reported to basic flying school at Bush Field, Augusta, GA and had my first flight in a BT 15 Vultee Valient on 3/27/44. My last flight in a BT-13A was on 4/14/44. I washed out of the pilot program.