810.796/900
The Acting Secretary of State to the Brazilian Ambassador (Martins)
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to Your Excellency’s note no. 263/588.5 of May 2, 194277 and to conversations that have taken place between members of Your Excellency’s staff and officers of the Department of State and of the War Department concerning the request of the Brazilian Minister for Air that arrangements be made for the training in the United States of Brazilian military pilots. We understand that the purpose of this training is to enable the Brazilian graduates to serve as instructors in the Brazilian Air Force.
I am happy to confirm the informal agreement reached between your Minister Counselor,78 your Air Attaché,79 and officials of the State and War Departments outlined below:
- (1)
- The War Department will furnish the instruction and all equipment, except that of a personal nature, required for this training. All expenses, such as transportation, subsistence allowances, et cetera, will be for the account of the Brazilian Government.
- (2)
- In each entering class, from ten to fifteen Brazilian students will be accommodated, it being understood that the number in the first class will not exceed ten.
- (3)
- Eligibility for this instruction is contingent on
- (a)
- satisfactory completion of the equivalent of the primary phase of military flight training, as given in the United States. The student should be fully prepared to enter the basic training course on arrival in this country;
- (b)
- meeting the United States Army Air Force physical standards;
- (c)
- satisfactory scholastic preparation, particularly in the sciences, and a working knowledge of English.
- (4)
- Each pilot, before his departure from Brazil, will be tested for flight ability by the Brazilian Air Force, in consultation with the United States Military Mission.
- (5)
- It is desirable, but not essential, that these students should arrive in the United States at least two weeks prior to the day on which their flight training is to commence.
- (6)
- The War Department will provide training as above to one hundred thirty students. This agreement will therefore include the class to begin on June 28, 1943 and may be renewed thereafter as mutually agreeable.
- (7)
- The United States War Department and the Brazilian Air Ministry reserve the right to cancel this agreement, or to propose amendment thereof, on thirty days notice, in writing, by the War Department to your Air Attaché, or by your Air Attaché to the War [Page 672] Department, respectively. In the case of cancellation by the War Department, for reasons not now foreseen, the cancellation shall not affect students already in the United States, or who have departed from Brazil for the United States.
- (8)
- Basic training is to be followed by Advanced training. The Advanced training will be distributed between single-engine and twin-engine training as currently provided for United States students.
- (9)
- Beginning dates of classes for which these Brazilian students
are eligible are as follows:
- November 12, 1942
- December 15, 1942
- January 16, 1943
- February 18, 1943
- March 22, 1943
- April 24, 1943
- May 26, 1943
- June 28, 1943
I should be gratified to receive Your Excellency’s confirmation of the Brazilian Air Ministry’s agreement with the foregoing.80
Accept [etc.]