BGuthrie Photos: MD -- College Park -- College Park Aviation Museum

MD -- College Park -- College Park Aviation Museum:

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. CPAM_170223_005.JPG: College Park Aviation Museum
2. CPAM_170223_018.JPG: 1901 Wright Glider: This reproduction of Orville and Wilbur Wright's second version of their 1901 glider is on loan from Ken Hyde. The glider was built at Mr. Hyde's Virginia Aviation and Machine Co. and tested in the wind tunnel at NASA Langley. The Wright brothers experimented with several forms of their glider before making the first successful powered, heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk, NC on December 17, 1903. This glider fixed several problems of the first version, but still was unsuccessful. The 1902 version added vertical surfaces at the rear, and with its final configuration more closely resembled modern aircraft controls.
3. CPAM_170223_025.JPG: Bust of Orville Wright
4. CPAM_170223_030.JPG: The Wright Brothers Catapult Launching System: The Wright brothers used a catapult system to help launch their aircraft from 1905-1909. The Military Flyer was capable of taking off without the catapult, but required a long track to reach flying speed. The catapult used dropped weights to accelerate the Flyer to flying speed in a much shorter distance. The Flyer rods the track on a dolley, which dropped away after takeoff. Before launching, the Flyer was held in place by a wire attached to the back of the track, which was released by a trigger. The catapult never failed in the many flights it launched, but was abandoned after wheels were installed, beginning in 1910.
5. CPAM_170223_035.JPG: Wright Aeroplane Hangar -- 1909: In early September of 1909, a 160 acre field in College Park was leased for the training of two officers to learn to fly the government's newly accepted Aeroplane -- The right Model A. A small shed was constructed to house the aero and to serve as the living quarters of the enlisted men assigned to the Aeronautical Division. Two officers were selected for flight training as part of the government contract with the Wright brothers. They were Lieuts. Frank P. Lahm and Frederic Humphreys. Lieut. Benjamin Foulois was originally to have been selected for instruction; however, at the last minute, he was sent to Nancy, France to attend an Aeronautical Exposition. Flying began on October 8th the newspapers all over the country reporting on the exciting events at the College Park Airfield. Wilbur Wright took up each of his two pupils in successively spectacular flights, until each began to gain more and more confidence in the handling of the machine. After only three hours, four minutes and seven seconds of instruction, Lieut. Humphreys made his first solo flight -- this made him the first military pilot to fly a government aeroplane. He succeeded Lahm by only a few minutes. When Lieut. Foulois returned from France, Wilbur agreed to give him flight instruction as well, even though it was not in his contract to do so. He received over three hours of instruction, but never got the chance to fly solo. On November 2nd, Wilbur made his final flight with Frank Lahm, and one of the last flights he was ever to make in public. Three days later, as new pilots Lahm and Humphreys were making their first flight together, they caught the wing tip of the plane on the ground while turning, causing minor damage to the plane. Thus ended the flights for 1909 and the Wrights' military contract. However, this was only the beginning for the College Park Airfield.
6. CPAM_170223_039.JPG: Coupe Aeronautique J. Gordon Bennett
7. CPAM_170223_043.JPG: Lieut. Frank P. Lahm's ID badge worn during the second National Aero Congress, 1922
8. CPAM_170223_046.JPG: Aero Club of America medal awarded to Lieut. Frank P. Lahm, winner of the 1906 H. Gordon Bennett Balloon Race.
9. CPAM_170223_051.JPG: Bronze medallion honoring past recipients of the J. Gordon Bennett prize, March 29, 1911
10. CPAM_170223_055.JPG: "Coupe Aeronautique" plaque awarded to Lieut. Frank P. Lahm by the Aero Club of America, 1906.
11. CPAM_170223_067.JPG: Pocket Watch: Orville Wright's pocket watch used during Army test flights at Fort Myer, 1909.
12. CPAM_170223_074.JPG: Medal of Congress: Medal awarded to Orville and Wilbur Wright by the United States Congress on March 4, 1909. "In recognition and appreciation of their ability, courage and success in navigating the air."
13. CPAM_170223_106.JPG: Ercoupe: The Ercoupe was an innovative aircraft manufactured by ERCO, the Engineering and Research Corporation, which was headed by Henry Berliner or Berliner helicopter fame. The Ercoupe was designed by noted aeronautical engineer, Fred E. Weick, to be spin-proof, stall-proof, and slip-proof. It was a complete departure from the traditional airplane design of the day, and often referred to as "the plane that anyone could fly." This unique plane had no rudder pedals. Instead, the rudders are linked to the ailerons, preventing the problem of spins. The Ercoupe also has a collar on the control column to limit elevator movement, helping to prevent stalls. Splitting the tail and placing it outside the prop blast eliminated a major source of torque. The first experimental model of the Ercoupe was test flown at College Park in 1937. The Ercoupe went into production in 1940.
14. CPAM_170223_117.JPG: Berliner Helicopter - 1924: After several years of experimenting with vertical flight, Emile and his son, Henry Berliner, made the first controlled helicopter flight with this unique looking aircraft. Looking very little like the helicopter of today, this machine with a Nieuport fuselage and triplane wings, was able to maneuver in a radius of 150 feet while maintaining a speed of about 40 mph. Thought unable to perfect a safe and smooth landing, the Berliner helicopter had done much to pave the way for future accomplishments in the field of vertical flight.
15. CPAM_170223_133.JPG: 1911 Curtiss Model D: The Model D was a biplane fitted with a wheeled, tricycle undercarriage. The construction was primarily of spruce, with ash used in parts of the engine bearers and undercarriage beams, with doped linen stretch [sic] over it. The outrigger beams are made of bamboo. Prevented by patents from using the Wright brothers' wing warping technique to provide lateral control, Curtiss used ailerons instead. Model Ds were constructed with a pusher configuration, where the propeller is behind the pilot. Because of this configuration, they were often referred to as a "Curtiss pusher". Early examples were built in a canard configuration, with elevators mounted on struts at the front of the aircraft in addition to a horizontal stabilizer at the rear. Later versions dispenses with the front elevator and are often referred to as "headless" pushers. The Curtiss Model D was used by the United States Army at Ft. Sam Houston before being moved to the Army Aviation School at College Park. The aircraft on display portrays the plane used at College Park in 1911.
16. CPAM_170223_149.JPG: The Wright B Aeroplanes: The Wright B aeroplanes, ordered for the Army Aviation School at the College Park Airfield in 1911, were designated as Signal Corps #3 and #4. These aeros had a structure similar to that of the Wright Military Flyer (1909) except for a few fundamental changes. One of the most important was the relocation of the elevator from the front to the rear of the aero. Wheels were also added to the undercarriage of the plane, as was a more powerful engine that enabled the Wright B to take off on its own power.
17. CPAM_170223_152.JPG: A Helicopter Named Gamera, An Engine Named Judy
18. CPAM_170223_197.JPG: Wayne Model 60 Gas Pump, ca 1935-50 This gas pump was installed at Croom and remained on the property for decades after the airfield closed. It has been in storage at the Museum since the late 1990s. As one of the few surviving artifacts from the airfield, the Museum is embarking on a stabilization and restoration project to maintain and permanently display the pump. The Wayne Oil Tank Company was founded in Indiana in 1891 and began making gas pumps in 1907. The Model 60 was first introduced in 1935 to be a more aesthetically pleasing version of the company's Model 40, which was the first gas pump to display both the volume of fuel pumped and what the customer owed. An attractive gas pump was important to gas station owners who were looking to pull in customers owed. An attractive gas pump was important to gas station owners who were looking to pull in customers with modern, state-of-the-art operations. Presumably the Cloud Club chose to install a Wayne pump because it was advertised as the most accurate gas pump available. Today, the company is still in the gas pump business as Wayne Fueling Systems.
19. CPAM_170223_200.JPG: Significant Achievements in Flight: The College Park Airfield is one of the most significant fields in aviation history. It has played host to many of the most notable aviators and inventors in the aviation field included the Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, Frank Lahm, Frederic Humphreys, Benny Foulois, Lincoln Beachy, Tony Jannus, "Hap" Arnold, Tommy Milling, Al Welsh, Charles Chandler, Henry and Emile Berliner, Rex Smith and George Brickerhoff, just to name a handful. As a result of its association with the Wright brothers and early military aviation, this field was witness to numerous significant firsts and other achievements in flight. Inventors were encouraged to bring any inventions that could be utilized with a flying machine to the (first) Army Aviation School when it was set up in 1911. Those that were successful became forever linked with the field's history -- such as the development and testing of the first bomb dropping device and the first testing of a machine gun from an aeroplane. Other remarkable accomplishments and firsts were vital components to the development and growth of aviation and the future of flight. These achievements include the development of the first US Postal Air Mail Service (1918-1921), the successful experiments with vertical flight by the Berliner helicopter (1920-1924), and the development and testing of the first radio navigational aides (1927-1934). There are other wonderful stories, personalities, and adventures too numerous to mention. The fascinating history of this field is one of both tragedy and triumph, perseverance and success. Is it, above all, the story of the history and achievements of flight and how they relate to this significant airfield in College Park.
20. CPAM_170223_204.JPG: The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company 1910-1917: In early 1910, several civilian aviation companies came to College Park, bringing commercial enterprise and new technology to the airfield. The first of these companies was the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company, established by well-known inventor and patent attorney Rexford Smith. When the Army returned to the airfield in 1911 to establish the first Army Aviation School, Smith was requested to move his hanger to be in line with the new Army hangars that were parallel to the railroad tracks. Others soon followed Smith in establishing companies on the field, including the National Aviation Company, the sole area dealer of Curtiss, Bleriot, and Wright aeroplanes, and the Washington Aeroplane Company, designer of the Columbia monoplane and other successful aircraft. The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company worked with the fields' other civilian aviation companies on several collaborative ventures. As a result, the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company hangar grew from one to two large buildings and several smaller sheds by late 1911. The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company became the center of media activity and the focus of the Washington social elite with their well-publicized flights around the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. They were frequently in the news for entertaining and flying politicians other well-connected individuals, garnering them much support and publicity. Two of Smith's most popular test pilots later became famous in their own right -- Paul Peck, who became a well-known exhibition flyer, and Tony Jannus. Jannus made history in 1914 as the pilot for the world's first commercial airline after being hired by the Benoist Company in 1912.
21. CPAM_170223_210.JPG: The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company 1910-1917: In early 1910, several civilian aviation companies came to College Park, bringing commercial enterprise and new technology to the airfield. The first of these companies was the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company, established by well-known inventor and patent attorney Rexford Smith. When the Army returned to the airfield in 1911 to establish the first Army Aviation School, Smith was requested to move his hanger to be in line with the new Army hangars that were parallel to the railroad tracks. Others soon followed Smith in establishing companies on the field, including the National Aviation Company, the sole area dealer of Curtiss, Bleriot, and Wright aeroplanes, and the Washington Aeroplane Company, designer of the Columbia monoplane and other successful aircraft. The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company worked with the fields' other civilian aviation companies on several collaborative ventures. As a result, the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company hangar grew from one to two large buildings and several smaller sheds by late 1911. The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company became the center of media activity and the focus of the Washington social elite with their well-publicized flights around the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. They were frequently in the news for entertaining and flying politicians other well-connected individuals, garnering them much support and publicity. Two of Smith's most popular test pilots later became famous in their own right -- Paul Peck, who became a well-known exhibition flyer, and Tony Jannus. Jannus made history in 1914 as the pilot for the world's first commercial airline after being hired by the Benoist Company in 1912.
22. CPAM_170223_213.JPG: 1910-1917 Civilian Flying: The attention getting flights of 1909, immediately attracted inventors and all those interested in conquering this seemingly limitless new field of technology... aviation, to the airfield. The Rex Smith Aeroplane Company was the first to set up operations, with aeroplanes of their own design, attention-getting stunts and flights, as well as flight instruction. By 1912, both the National Aviation Company and the Washington Aeroplane Company had set up hangers and operations on the grounds. The National Aviation Company was the sole dealer of Curtiss, Bleriot and Wright Aeroplanes in the Washington area. Both companies offered sales and instruction to a public hungry for this new mode of transportation. The Washington Aeroplane Company was interested in designing and building aeroplanes of their own design. Their Columbia Monoplane and Biplane were reputed to be the first aeroplanes designed and built solely in the Washington area, by 1912. Other inventors and individuals came to the field during this time, gaining inspiration from these three popular aeroplane companies and all eager "to earn fame and fortune as aviators."
23. CPAM_170223_216.JPG: Earn Fame & Fortune as an Aviator... Rex Smith was a successful patent attorney whose claim to fame was in being the first man to ride a bicycle down the steps of the Capitol! His flair for publicity helped his Aeroplane Company develop a loyal following among Washington politicians and the social elite. Even Smith's patent work focused on flying machines. This letter was to fellow inventor and aviator Oscar Mote, who got his start at College Park Airfield as well. Smith's two pilots were the dashing Anthony Jannus, and equally popular Paul Peck, shown here piloting the Columbia Monoplane in 1912.
24. CPAM_170223_222.JPG: Heroes of their Time... After being accepted into the Signal Corps for pilot training, Thomas Dewitt Milling, known as "Tommy" to his fellow aviators was sent to the Wright Factory where he met the Wrights and fellow officer "Hap" Arnold. Milling received his initial pilot's instruction from Al Welsh but made such a favorable impression on Orville that he offered to give him some lessons as well. Milling participated in many firsts in flight at the College Park Airfield. When the "Military Aviator" rating was introduced in 1917, it upgraded the status of all pilots that passed its requirements. Milling was one of the first to do so, thereby earning him his "Military Aviator" badge. Henry "Hap" Arnold's career paralleled the growth of aviation from its earliest beginning with the Wright Brothers, to the days when the Air Force became an independent branch of the military. In 1911 and 1912, Arnold was frequent face on the front page of the news for setting and breaking one altitude record after another. Arnold was also the first winner of the famed Mackay trophy while at College park, which he won again in 1934 following a spectacular round trip flight to Alaska. Arnold retired as the Air Force's only five-star general. CJ MacCartee took this photo of "Hap" Arnold in a Wright B at the airfield to use for his pilot's license, 1911.
25. CPAM_170223_224.JPG: 1911-1913 Our First Military Aviators: While many of our first military aviators came to the field after years of ballooning experience, some were simply fascinated by the possibilities of what it must feel like to fly. These daring young men became the heroes of their time, with the media immortalizing their every move. When the Signal Corps officers took on this assignment, they didn't realize that they would also become instant celebrities, sought out for both political and social engagements which kept them often in the public eye. For many of those young men, their flights and trainings at this field were just the beginning of long and notable careers in the military. These young pilots were breaking ground for all those that would come after them. If they didn't realize the enormity of their task when they came to College Park, it quickly became apparent to them. While the media exposure was perhaps unexpected, these aviators were very aware of the seriousness of their flight training. Aviators such as Lieuts. Frank Lahm, Benjamin Foulois and later Henry Arnold, Thomas Milling, and others, set the standards for excellence for military aviators. They went on to become some of the most significant individuals in aviation history after gracing the grounds of this College Park Airfield.
26. CPAM_170223_227.JPG: "As may well be imagined, flying at this period was quite a novelty. Large crowds visited the school to see and applaud the flying, and the papers gave any flying feat great publicity..." -- Major Thomas DeWitt Milling
27. CPAM_170223_234.JPG: The Unsung Heroes... Cpl. Frank Scott was a mechanic for the Wright machines at the Signal Corps Aviation School, as was his best friend, Jesse Ayer. On Sept. 28th, 1912, Lieut. Lewis Rockwell, a highly skilled pilot, went up on a flight to qualify for his "Military Aviator" rating, and invited Scott to fly as ... [text covered by fallen photo but presumed to be -- "his co-pilot. The"] aircraft crashed and Scott was killed instantly, while Rockwell died three hours later at the hospital. Scott was the first enlisted man killed in an aviation accident. Ayer's diary records both the crash and subsequent funerals three days later.
28. CPAM_170223_244.JPG: Commemorating the first solo flight of Glenn H. Curtiss made on June 28, 1907 awarded by The Early Birds an organization of pioneer aviators who flew solo before December 17, 1916
29. CPAM_170223_247.JPG: Glenn Curtiss: Pioneer and Competitor: By the time the Aviation School opened in 1911, Glenn Curtiss was already a pioneer in the field of aviation. Unlike the Wrights, Curtiss made a name for himself by winning several well publicized air shows and exhibitions, such as the high profile meet at Rheims, France where he won the grand prize, the Gordon Bennett trophy. This was followed by his well publicized flight down the 142 mile Hudson River. The exposure and fame he received from these events established him as a national figure in the world of aviation. His achievements in the field of aeronautics were many. By 1912-1913, the Curtiss Aeroplane Company had many successful aeroplane designs to be proud of. This 1912 booklet documents their achievements up to this point, and states in its introduction that fir "those having an interest in aviation, it (this booklet) should receive made than a passing notice, and those with but a passing interest in the newest of sports should be greatly surprised by the perfection of the aeroplane here enclosed." The Curtiss School of Aviation booklet is a promotional piece to attract more students to the Curtiss School in Hammondsport, New York.
30. CPAM_170223_250.JPG: Inventions for a New Era: On June 7th, 1912, Col. Isaac Lewis brought his machine gun to College Park to test it from an aeroplane. The gun has been designed to have low recoil, so he believed it would be effective in flight. After achieving excellent success in hitting targets, both the newspapers and the Signal Corps reflected on the guns possible contribution to aerial combat and military strategy. However, the War Department issued a statement saying that aeroplanes were only suitable for reconnaissance purposes! After rejecting the gun, reportedly because the Army already had an official machine gun (Beret-Mercier), Lewis moved to England where the US had to purchase the guns upon entering WWI.
31. CPAM_170223_254.JPG: 1911-1912: The Unsung Heroes of the Army Aviation School: While the military aviators were the ones most often spotlighted by the press, the success of the Army Aviation School was largely dependent on another less conspicuous group of personalities. They were mechanics, medical officers, test pilots and even pioneers... like Glenn Curtiss. Curtiss was both an aviator and inventor whose unique machines would become a mainstay in military aviation for years to come. Curtiss like the Wrights, often visited the field when introducing one of his new aeros. Curtiss would often send his favorite pilot, Lincoln Beachy to the field to demonstrate his machine. Stories of Beachy's dare devil stunts were never exaggerated! The Wrights favorite test pilot was the talented Arthur (Al) Welsh, who had originally instructed several of the School's officers in Dayton. Welsh worked with both pilots and enlisted men at the field and was well liked by both. He was the subject of many photographs taken by [a] young enlisted man, Cpl Jesse Ayer, through whose eyes we are able to see scenes of daily life at the Airfield, record breaking achievements and poignant moments of loss. Through it all, it was evident that whether they were well-known inventors and aviators or enlisted mechanics, the part that these varied personalities played in these fledgling years of military aviation made them all pioneers.
32. CPAM_170223_257.JPG: Experimentation & Innovation: With the growth of aviation came a flurry of inventions, patents and an interest in experimentation. The military was deluged with requests by would-be inventors to test their new ideas on the flying machine. As a result, the Signal Corps decided to publically [sic] announce that anyone with devices for the aeroplane should come by the School to have their equipment tested, if practical. Many of these experiments resulted in the design of significant aeroplane equipment and inventions such as improved photographic and wireless equipment, an aeroplane bombsight and machine gun and more. Lieut. Milling conducted some of the earliest experiments with night flying when he set up two huge acetylene lights on the ground to illuminate his flight and landing. "Hap" Arnold claimed that he led the army to adopt goggles when he almost lost control of his machine after being hit in the eye by a bug! However, innovation also brings the inevitable contraptions and failures, as characterized by the "Aero Torpedo", the Means "Smoke Signaling Device" which emitted puffs of black smoke as code, and a "Flying Machine Parachute.' Some inventors were simply ahead of their time, but successful or not, this College Park Airfield was there to witness it all.
33. CPAM_170223_260.JPG: The first photographs taken from an aero at College Park, were taken on Sept. 19th, 1911, from an altitude of 600 feet. Since a standard aeroplane camera had not yet been developed, a Kodak camera was used. This unique "aero camera" from 1914, along with its negative plates, is also a kodak camera, and was developed for use by the military.
34. CPAM_170223_268.JPG: United States Air Mail Service: Neither Wind, Nor Rain, Nor Threat of Snow... The Post Office Department initiated the United States Air Mail Service from College Park Airfield after a three month trial in conjunction with the War Department. Six aeros were ordered from the Standard Aircraft Company for these flights. Other aircraft, such as the Curtiss JN-4D "Jenny" and the DeHavilland DH-4, also were used to fly the mail. Captain Benjamin Lipsner resigned from the Army to accept an appointment as Superintendent of the Service. He oversaw all supervisory details for this venture, which like the other activities of the College Park Airfield, always seemed to attract media attention. On August 12, 1918 Max Miller, along with Edward Gardner, Robert Shank and Maurice Newton, flew the first 218-mile flight from College Park to New York, via Philadelphia. In 1919, a hangar was built and a compass rose was placed on the field as the successful operation continued to grow. The compass rose enabled pilots to line up their planes with the cardinal directions to calibrate their compasses for their flights, since there were no other navigational instruments to assist pilots. Both the hangar and the compass rose exist today. As new air mail routes were opened, pilots faced many dangers including unfamiliar territory, inadequate planes, and unreliable navigational equipment. Max Miller and many other pilots lots their lives delivering the mail and opening these new routes. In 1921, the air mail station at College Park was closed as the New York to California route was instituted for flying a greater distance. By 1926, the Post Office Department had turned over the service to private enterprise to become more effective faster and more efficient in delivering the mail.
35. CPAM_170223_271.JPG: The Post Office Department initiated the United States Air Mail Service from College Park Airfield after a three month trial in conjunction with the War Department. Six aeros were ordered from the Standard Aircraft Company for these flights. Other aircraft, such as the Curtiss JN-4D "Jenny" and the DeHavilland DH-4, also were used to fly the mail. Captain Benjamin Lipsner resigned from the Army to accept an appointment as Superintendent of the Service. He oversaw all supervisory details for this venture, which like the other activities of the College Park Airfield, always seemed to attract media attention.
36. CPAM_170223_274.JPG: On August 12, 1918 Max Miller, along with Edward Gardner, Robert Shank and Maurice Newton, flew the first 218-mile flight from College Park to New York, via Philadelphia. In 1919, a hangar was built and a compass rose was placed on the field as the successful operation continued to grow. The compass rose enabled pilots to line up their planes with the cardinal directions to calibrate their compasses for their flights, since there were no other navigational instruments to assist pilots. Both the hangar and the compass rose exist today. As new air mail routes were opened, pilots faced many dangers including unfamiliar territory, inadequate planes, and unreliable navigational equipment. Max Miller and many other pilots lots their lives delivering the mail and opening these new routes. In 1921, the air mail station at College Park was closed as the New York to California route was instituted for flying a greater distance. By 1926, the Post Office Department had turned over the service to private enterprise to become more effective faster and more efficient in delivering the mail.
37. CPAM_170223_278.JPG: The air mail staff at College Park in 1919 included many mechanics, couriers and helping hands of the Air Mail station. Paul Garber (bottom left) learned to fly at the field while a courier for the Air Mail Service. Later, he became the first curator of the Smithsonian Institution National Air Museum, now known as the National Air and Space Museum.
38. CPAM_170223_281.JPG: Human Airmail Flown from College Park to New York! On October 16, 1918, daredevil film star Douglas Fairbanks came to College Park and stamped himself as air mail. With airmail costing 16 cents an ounce, it cost Fairbanks $414.72 to send himself at New York. At 11:45am, he and pilot Dana DeHart took off in a Curtiss Jenny toward New York as a publicity stunt to boost support for the Liberty Loans. Financier and presidential advisor Bernard Baruch pledged a 1 million dollar Liberty Loan subscription if Fairbanks could find someone to match it. Fairbanks' flight grabbed headlines as he dropped Liberty Loan leaflets over major cities. After a four-hour journey, and still wearing his grimy flight suit, he raced to the offices of bankers Harvey Fisk and Sons, who prompted matched Baruch's subscription.
39. CPAM_170223_295.JPG: Trace Ender Alan Binstock Mt. Rainier, Maryland
40. CPAM_170223_303.JPG: Wayfinder Alan Binstock Mt. Rainier, Maryland
Wikipedia Description: College Park Airport
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

College Park Airport (IATA: CGS, ICAO: KCGS) is a public airport located 1 mile (2 km) east of College Park, in Prince Georges County, Maryland, USA.

College Park Airport was established in 1909 after Wilbur Wright came to the field to train two military officers to fly in the government's first aeroplane. It is the world's oldest continuously operated airport. In 1977, the airport was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

College Park Airport is home to many "firsts" in aviation, and is particularly significant for the well-known aviators and aviation inventors who played a part in this field's long history. In 1909 Wilbur Wright taught Lieutenants Frederic Humphreys and Frank Lahm. Humphreys became the first military pilot to solo in a government aeroplane.

Civilian aviation began at College Park with Rex Smith, an inventor and patent attorney, who operated the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company. Paul Peck and Tony Jannus were associates of his.

In 1911, the nation's first military aviation school was opened at College Park, with newly trained pilots then-Lt. Hap Arnold and Lt. Tommy Milling as Wright pilot instructors and Capt. Paul Beck as the Curtiss instructor. The military aviation school saw numerous aviation firsts.

In 1918, after a three-month trial with the War Department, the Post Office Department inaugurated the first Postal Airmail Service from College Park, serving Philadelphia and New York (Belmont Park). Flights from College Park continued until 1921. The compass rose and original airmail hangar remain at the modern airport as a witness to this history. The Airport Code "CGS" originally referred to the airport's purpose in the 1930s as an airmail station. CGS = "ColleGe Station".

In 1920, Emile and Henry Berliner (father and son) brought their theories of vertical flight to the field and in 1924 made the first controlled helicopter flight.

From 1927 until 1933, the Bureau of Standards developed and tested the first radio navigational aids for use in "blind" or bad weather flying. This was the forerunner of the modern Instrument Landing System used today by aircraft.

George Brinckerhoff took over management of the Airfield and ran it from 1927 until 1959, hosting numerous airshows and teaching hundreds of pilots to fly during his tenure.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) purchased the Airport in 1973 and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Today it is run as both a historic site and operating airport whose history is depicted in the 27,000 sq ft (2,500 m�) College Park Aviation Museum.

Since the 9/11 attacks, and owing to the airport's proximity to the national capital, the operations of the airport have been severely restricted by the Transportation Security Administration in the interest of national security, but civilian pilots are still free to use the airport after going through a one-time background check procedure.

College Park Aviation Museum:

The College Park Aviation Museum houses antique and reproduction aircraft associated with the history of College Park Airport. Artifacts, hands-on activities and artifacts highlight the aviators, aircraft builders and airplanes that operated at the airport. The museum offers changing exhibits, special events, lectures, workshops and programs for the public, schools and groups. Opened in 1998, the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Facilities:

College Park Airport covers 70 acres and has one runway:

* Runway 15/33: 2,607 x 60 ft. (795 x 18 m), Surface: Asphalt
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