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Civilian Pilot Training Program: records

 Record Group
Identifier: A03.34

  • Staff Only
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Scope and Content

The Civilian Pilot Training Program records include correspondence of the program administrator at Bowdoin, physics professor Boyd W. Bartlett; expenditure reports; student applications and related records; the program curriculum and other course materials; and photographs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1940-1943

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) was initiated in 1939 by the Roosevelt administration, ostensibly to train pilots at colleges and universities for the benefit of general aviation. However, the military value of the CPTP was clear. With the advent of World War II, the demand for trained pilots was such that many CPTP graduates proceeded immediately into military pilot training.

Bowdoin College sponsored a pilot training program from 1940-1942 under the direction of physics professor Boyd Bartlett. This program took place at Bowdoin and nearby airfields and included both Bowdoin and non-Bowdoin students. Fifteen students enrolled in the first course in the summer of 1940 (ten from Bowdoin); Ann Wood (D’Youville College) was the only woman to be accepted into the program at Bowdoin. In 1942 Ann Wood was one of two dozen American female pilots recruited by the British Air Transport Auxiliary to move military aircraft from factories to military bases.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Civilian Pilot Training Program Records
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.