There's more to the government's civilian pilot training program than just getting in a plane and learning to fly it. Here Marie Mountain (left) and Betty Frey, students at Drake, figure out a problem in navigation.
Source: The Des Moines Register, June 22, 1940 (photo included)
Texas Bound
Texas bound for 22 weeks of concentrated training in army flying technique are these Des Moines girls, who have enlisted in the women's flying training command for training which leads to pilot's berths in the women's auxiliary ferry service. They are from left: Madelon Burcham, Marie Mountain and Mrs. Jean Sidwell. Upon completion of their training the girls will be schooled in ferrying all types of army planes except heavy bombers.
Source: The DesMoines Tribune, July 29, 1943 (photo included)
Two Des Moines women were graduated recently from the WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots) school at Avenger field, Sweetwater, Tex. They are Madelon M. Burcham, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Burcham, 645 Forty-fourth st., and Marie Mountain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs C.R. Mountain, 1614 Ashworth ave., West Des Moines.
Source: The DesMoines Tribune, February 15, 1944 (photo included)
