In the fall of 1919, just 16 years after the Wright brothers made the first powered flight, PMC became what was reported at the time to be “the first college in the United States to include flying in its curriculum.”

Lt. Theodore Hyatt Cowee ’20, of the United States Air Service, the grandson of PMC founder Theodore Hyatt, was the instructor for program, which consisted of eight flying lessons in a Curtis biplane and 12 ground lessons. Twenty students enrolled, and training took place on the field opposite Springhaven Country Club in Wallingford, about two miles north of the campus.

The following year, the course was under the direction of G. Sumner Ireland, of Curtis Eastern Airplane Corporation. Although 17 Cadets wanted to participate, most were unable to obtain parental consent and the program was grounded.

Records are sketchy, but it appears that the course was not revived until 1939, with the Civil Aeronautics Authority providing both ground schooling and flight training at Philadelphia’s S. Davis Wilson Airport, later to become Philadelphia International Airport. Students who successfully completed 72 classroom hours and flight training received a pilot’s license.

In 1955, PMC became the first military college in the U.S. to have a Civil Air Patrol program. According to the Alumni Bulletin “more than 100 cadets have enrolled in the program ….” The instructors were Air Force Reserve officers. Studies included aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology and flight training. By 1963, first classmen able to pass a flight physical qualified for the Army ROTC Flight Training Program conducted at the Bridgeport Airport in New Jersey. After 35 hours of instruction, which included soloing, cadets received the ROTC pilot’s badge and could apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a private pilot’s license.

In 1967, the Atlantic Aviation Corporation awarded the Atlantic Aviation Trophy to the first classman selected the outstanding student pilot in the ROTC flight training program. After 1st Lt. William J. Stephenson (’63) was killed by enemy ground fire while flying a Sioux observation helicopter in Viet Nam in 1966, the award was renamed in his honor. Three years later, criteria for the medal was changed, awarding it to the first classman in the program who displayed the most sincere and dedicated desire for a career as an Army aviation officer. In 1972, the year the Corps of Cadets was disbanded, the award was once again tendered to the most outstanding student in the program.

When PMC started its aviation program, it was leading the way into the future, and the move made headlines nationwide. After all, the Ironwood (Mich.) Daily Globe reported in its coverage of the cutting-edge course, “In a short time, aerial passenger service will be demanding a great number of experienced fliers who will be needed in the coast-to-coast service … composed of large, comfortable planes capable of carrying twenty-five passengers….”

PMC Aviators

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