1 July 1917 – Training in Canada

Basic Military and generic flying instruction has been going on in Canada since 28 February 1917 with the opening of a cadet school at Long Branch airfield. A further School at Camp Borden, began training on 30 March 1917.

The long awaited plans to provide actual ground training for pilots as well, by opening a School of Military Aeronautics similar to that at Oxford, have now been realised.

The staff of instructors for the new School arrived in Canada from England early in June and today School No. 4, began its activities with 204 cadets. Over a four-week period, cadets will be instructed on engines, rigging, wireless, artillery observation, machine guns, instruments and bombs.

The school took over the existing Cadet Wing organization and a new Cadet Wing was formed at Toronto on the 11 July, but did not begin an independent existence until 23 July when it moved to Long Branch.

 

30 September – Canadians do their bit

The latest five students at the Curtiss School in Toronto, Canada passed their flying certificates today. These are:

• Gerald Essex Hervey
• John Robinson
• Lewis Ewing Smith
• Kenneth Marsden van Allen
• Thomas Webber

All have been appointed as Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenants in the RNAS, and will travel to England in the next week.

Lewis Ewing Smith

The Curtiss School based at Long Branch outside Toronto was officially opened on 20 May 1915 as a flying training school by the Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors Company. It was the first aerodrome in Canada. It includes 3 aircraft hangars and a grass strip for landing. Pilot training costs $400 for a 400 minute course. The main aircraft used is the Curtiss JN-4 (Jenny). Since its opening, 33 pilots have completed their training, most of who have gone on to England join one of the flying services.