Petet:-
I am coincidently reading "Carrier Pilot" by Norman Hanson (ISBN 0 7088 1951 6) in which he attends the aircrew training scheme in Florida devised by Admiral Towers USN. Interestingly it took RN/RAF entrants in the ratio 30/100 per month, the RAF element learning seaplane and flying boat operation.
USN stations involved (for FAA pilot training) were Pensacola (Chevalier, Curry, Saufley, and Ellyson fields) and Opa Locka. The a/c (USN designations) were; N3N-3, O3U-1, OS2U-3, SNJ-3 (Harvard), F-2A (Buffalo). His time on course 8 months (1941/42).
He seems to have enjoyed the rather frenetic experiences vis a vis the local population. Caught returning from Key West (a restricted area anyway), having done up to 100 mph in a rented Oldsmobile on the Florida Keys Highway (speed limit 25mph!), the RNVR gold braid on their uniforms got he and his friend off the rap by "Joe" and "Charlie", with the advice to mention their names to "Harry" and "Duke" if the same thing happened leaving Key Largo! With the parting advice to "Go get them Krauts" they proceeded on their lawful occasions...