The Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute was an early professional trade school operated by the

Curtiss-Wright The Curtiss-Wright Corporation is an American manufacturer and services provider headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, with factories and operations in and outside the United States. Created in 1929 from the consolidation (business), consoli ...

corporation for aircraft maintenance training. Director Major C. C. Moseley was one of only three school directors selected across America to set the standards for the pre-World War II civilian pilot training program. The institute was first set up in the terminal building of the Grand Central Air Terminal in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city located primarily in the Verdugo Mountains region, with a small portion in the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is located about north of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, Glendale ha ...

, expanding to neighboring hangars and buildings around the airport. Both TWA and American Airlines flew transcontinental service from the airport. During World War II, over 7500 mechanics were trained at the facility. In 1950 the institute became part of the Grand Central Aircraft Company and Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute was renamed as the Cal-Aero Technical Institute. The U.S. Air Force used the institute to train mechanics on contract until 1952. Enrollment dropped sharply after the cancellation of the contract and the facility closed in 1954.

Coursework

At its peak, CWTI had eight fields of study. *Aeronautical Engineering *Post Graduate Aeronautical Engineering *Master Aviation Mechanic *Specialized Engine *Specialized Airplane *Specialized Sheet Metal *Aeronautical Drafting *Aircraft Blueprint Reading

History

The Institute taught practical aircraft design with students producing actual aircraft that went into production. Martin Schempp taught courses in aircraft design at the CWTI. Together with students, they developed the 1932 Super Sailplane which served as the prototype for the Bowlus 1-S-2100 Senior Albatross "Falcon" glider. This aircraft is on display in the Smithsonian's

National Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) of the Smithsonian Institution is a museum in Washington, D.C., in the United States, dedicated to history of aviation, human flight and space exploration. Established in 1946 as the National Air Museum, ...

. Richard C. du Pont was an early student who worked on the program and used the expertise gained to found the Bowlus-DuPont Sailplane Company in 1934. In 1935, students built the Al Novotney designed Bunting I racer which competed in the

National Air Races The National Air Races (also known as Pulitzer Trophy Races) are a series of pylon and cross-country races that have taken place in the United States since 1920. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew ...

. The Curtiss Coupe was designed by students and put in limited production by Curtiss-Wright in Robertson, Missouri. Students also helped develop and construct the Burrows R-6, Rider R-6, Crosby C6R3, and Crosby CR-4 racing aircraft.

References

{{coord, 34.1630, -118.2867, type:landmark_region:US-CA, display=title Vocational education Technical schools Aviation schools in the United States Educational institutions established in 1929 Education in Glendale, California Buildings and structures in Glendale, California Educational institutions disestablished in 1959 1929 establishments in California 1959 disestablishments in California

Coursework

History

See also

References