Tom is in the first of five stages of pilot training, the pre-flight stage. In this stage, he was instructed in the basic physics of aeronautics and thinking in three dimensions. He also had to pass courses in hard sciences and mathematics.
![Tom outside his dorm (East Hall) at Arizona State College, Tempe, Arizona, spring, 1943.](https://brooksidepress.org/cartmell/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Tom-ASU-204x300.jpg)
Mon. night.
![March 30, 1943, Tempe, Arizona](https://brooksidepress.org/cartmell/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3-30-1943-1-150x150.jpg)
Dear folks,
Just to let you know I received all the packages from you today. All my roommates as well as I want to thank you a lot. The raisin cookies were a little broken up but there isn’t a crumb left so it didn’t matter much.
We started on our schedule today. I am one of the fellows that doesn’t have to take math. I get to start right into navigation. In a way it is a break. We have about 2 hrs. of study time and not much time to ourself. I will try to get a letter off to you soon but lights out in 10 min. I was glad to hear that Karen is now in possession of a tooth. Don’t forget to send a picture. Use this address that’s on the front from now on.
Love, Tom
![March 30, 1943, Tempe, Arizona](https://brooksidepress.org/cartmell/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3-30-1943-2-300x183.jpg)