When was the first aviation training program created? May 21, 1917

Ohio State University trains pilots for World War 1 – 14 years after the Wright brothers launched their first flight, the U.S. War Department established Schools of Military Aeronautics at six universities, including The Ohio State University.

The first aviation training program began at the School of Aeronautics opened on May 21, 1917, when the first squadron of 16 cadets reported. The squadron endured three weeks of intense military training and five weeks of theoretical and technical instruction in military aeronautics, including signaling, gunnery, airplanes, engines and aerial observation and successfully graduated on July 16, 1917.

Sources cited and feature photo provided by The Center for Aviation Studies and The Ohio State University