First World War experience and the value of pilot reserves

One proposed explanation for different training policies is the scale of the air wars the navies had previously experienced. Japan's successful First World War aviation operation was small and relied on highly skilled pilots. Britain and the United States encountered much larger demands for aviators, encouraging an appreciation of numerous competent pilots supporting an elite cadre. The American system later emphasized large training cohorts, training units aboard carriers, and aircraft that gave crews better protection. A small pool of exceptional pilots could not sustain losses against a continually replenished force of capable opponents.