The Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute was an early professional trade school operated by the Curtiss-Wright corporation for aircraft maintenance training. Director Major 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 Glendale, California

Glendale, California

Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...

 Grand Central Air Terminal, 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 to 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

Martin Schempp

Martin Schempp was a glider pilot and founder of Schempp-Hirth, a major manufacturer of gliders.Martin Schempp was born in Stuttgart. After completing his commercial education, he helped out in his father's craftsman's business. In 1926, at the age of 21, he emigrated to the USA in the hope of...

 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"

Bowlus 1-S-2100

-Bibliography:*Coates, Andrew, Jane's World Sailplanes and Motorgliders. London. Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1978. ISBN 0-354-01119-7*Simons, Martin. Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 . Eqip Werbung & Verlag Gmbh ISBN 3-9806773-4-6...

 glider. This aircraft is on display in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...

. Richard C. du Pont

Richard C. du Pont

Richard Chichester du Pont was an American businessman and an aviation and glider pioneer who was a member of the prominent Du Pont family....

 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

National Air Races

The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...

.

The Curtiss Coupe

Curtiss-Wright CW-19

-See also:...

 was designed by students and put in limited production by Curtiss-Wright in Robertson, Missouri.

Students also helped develop the Burrows R-6, Rider R-6, Crosby C6R3, and Crosby CR-4.