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FORM GE6

                                    COLONIAL AIRLINES, INC.

                                  INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE

TO:   Captain M. A. Gitt                                                         Date: 9-26-49

FROM: Chief Pilot

SUBJECT:

We have been advised by Captain J. O'Neill, chairman of the pilots' Safety Committee, that you consider the domestic DC-4 training program unsafe.  We do not agree with you in this matter.  It is true that there is no formal ground school in the sense that classes are held and lectures given by an instructor on the operation of the DC-4 airplane.  However, an operating manual is issued to each pilot, along with examination questions pertinent to the aircraft and its operation.  This manual must be studied in order to answer these questions.  The manual contains CAA approved operating procedures and a thorough discussion of the airplane, power plants, controls, heating and ventilation systems, emergence procedures, etc.  In addition to the oral and written examinations, the pilots are given extensive equipment instruction by a company check pilot who is thoroughly familiar with the airplane.  The pilot is given as much flying time in the aircraft as is necessary for him to pass either an ATR or a type H.P. rating. At the completion of the pilot's flight training and the fact that he has completed the several examinations to the satisfaction of the check pilot, he is given a final check ride conducted by the check pilot in the presence of a CAA safety agent. It is our belief that upon the completion of the above, the pilot is qualified to fly the DC-4 airplane safely.

Other of our pilots, the CAA safety agents and this office consider the training program for the DC-4 adequate. Since you, however, do not concur in this and consider the program unsafe, we have no alternative other than to discontinue DC-4 training in your case.

                                                                     M.B. Woodworth.
                                                                     M. B. Woodworth              
MBW:gmo
 cc:D. L. Behncke
    H. E. Clark