[SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS.]
By May 1917, it had become quite apparent that ground training of cadets demanded an expansion of treatment which could not be afforded by the then existing Cadet Wing, however, valiantly the latter unit might strive, and on the 15th a chief instructor, for the purpose of starting a School of Military Aeronautics, was ordered to proceed to Canada, taking with him eight other officers and thirty-eight men of various ranks as a nucleus of an instructional staff.
This advance party worked in conjunction with the Cadet Wing until July 1st, on which date No. 4 School of Military Aeronautics was recorded as a separate and official organization.
The anticipated expansion immediately took place, aided very greatly by the assistance, not only of the President of the University of Toronto, but also of the professors of that institution who gave up room after room, often at great inconvenience to themselves. About this time, also, a large shipment of aeroplanes and engines for instructional purposes was forwarded from England. It was unfortunately lost on the way out, the immediate effect being that for the first few months all practical instruction was confined to the Curtiss engine and JN4 aeroplane.
The length of the course given during this period was three weeks, but at the end of the month it was increased to four, and comprised six flights, covering engines, rigging, wireless, artillery observation, machine guns, and instruments and bombs.
STAFF OF SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS.