The Ohio State Univerity - Department of Aviation

Aviation education began at The Ohio State University during World War I, when the United States’ War Department established Schools of Military Aeronautics at six universities – namely, California, Cornell, Illinois, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Texas and Ohio State. The School of Aeronautics opened May 21, 1917, when the first “squadron” or group of 16 cadets reported. The commandant and his staff gave the military instruction to the aviation cadets or pilots, while the scientific and technical instruction was in the hands of the following departments: (1) Signaling and Radio, (2) Gunnery, (3) Aids to Flight, (4) Airplanes, (5) Engines, and (6) Aerial Observation. The Aviation Laboratory was built for the purpose of teaching students the rudiments of aircraft construction and maintenance. Once built, the aircraft would be rolled down the hill to the University Airport, located in the floodplain of the Olentangy River and the current site of Ohio Stadium.

The first pilot squadron graduated, July 16, 1917, and a total of 1,291 men were trained prior to the closing of the school on August 31, 1918.

On October 19, 1917, the second of the United States military schools was opened at the University, when a squadron of seven cadets arrived for training as aero-squadron engineer officers. The School for Engineer Officers lasted only a little more than three months and was attended by but 36 cadets before it was closed on June 26, 1918.

The third of the United States military schools opened at the University on January 12, 1918, with the arrival of the first squadron of men for training as aero-squadron adjutants. The curriculum for the new school on the campus, which was the only one of the kind in the United States, was furnished by the War department and covered a period of eight weeks. The School for Aero-Squadron Adjutants closed on July 13, 1918, having trained 887 men.

The last of the four military schools at the University began on March 13 and closed on August 3, 1918. Like the School for Aero-Squadron Adjutants, this School for Balloon Officers was the only one of its kind in the United States. The men sent to it had already received their balloon training at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, or in Texas, which was now supplemented by a seven weeks course to prepare them for officer’s work. The number of men trained in the balloon officers’ school was 219. With the return to peace, aviation became dormant on campus. This did not last long though, and in 1939, the University took part in the Civilian Pilot Training Program begun in 1939 under the sponsorship of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Although its purpose was to foster private flying, it quickly became tied to the war effort with the on-set of World War II, and on December 7, 1941 its name was changed to the “Civil Aeronautics Administration-War Training Service.” In December 1942, the University was designated as a Naval Aviation Cadet training center.

Four flight contractors handled the flight instruction. They were the Lane Aviation Corp., the Miller Flying School, the Northway Flying Service, and the Sullivant Flying School. They supplied airplanes for flight training and both operators and airplanes were under rigid government inspection and approval. Much of the earlier instruction was given at Port Columbus until the Navy took it over, and conducted its activities at the Sullivant Airport.

With the success of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, the University Board of Trustees, on November 9, 1942 took action to solidify Ohio State’s future as a leading Aviation program. First, they created a School of Aviation with undergraduate curricula in five fields: aeronautical engineering, meteorology, air transport, photogrammetry, and aviation psychology and physiology. The first flight instruction offered by the Ohio State University was during the spring quarter, 1945. The School of Aviation was also instrumental in early Aviation research. Specific projects dealt with engine design problems, fuel synthesis and testing, pilot performance, communication between ground and aerial crews, and high altitude flying. Of notable achievement were research projects concerned with the training of personnel to operate airplanes. These included one to determining criteria for flight competence or the selection and training of aircraft pilots, and another regarding the instant recognition of aircraft and surface ships, both friendly and enemy. Other Aviation research projects conducted by the School of Aviation were oriented to the agricultural applications of aircraft.

Next, they created the Graduate Aviation Center in Dayton, which offered opportunities for qualified graduate students in Aviation to pursue advanced courses in aerodynamics, airplane structures, communication engineering, applied mechanics, theoretical physics, mathematics, etc.

A key factor in the early growth and success of the School of Aviation was the University Airport, built in 1942, described at the time as “an excellent flying field,” which provides unusual training, instructional and research opportunities.

In 1956, the School of Aviation was transferred to the College of Engineering, and in February 1963 was changed to the Department of Aviation. Along with the new status came a new program of instruction, which improved and strengthened the course structure, and recognized that individuals from all academic disciplines have contributed to the development and growth of aviation.

The Department of Aviation, therefore, adopted a philosophy of offering courses, which are adjunct to other major curricula of the University. The Department, in essence, served a supportive role in that it offers courses to those students who wish to relate aviation to their major area of study. This support role continued until 1982, when the Department of Aviation became a degree granting program within the University. Since that time, the Department has granted over 6,000 Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degrees through the College of Engineering, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the Fisher College of Business.

The Department of Aviation has continued to sponsor dozens of research projects oriented toward basic and applied research and development in aviation, with emphasis on flight instruction and pilot certification.

Today the Department of Aviation educates over 250 students each quarter in all aspects of the Air Transportation System, conducts active research in issues currently facing the aviation industry, and offers numerous outreach programs for “kids of all ages.”

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