Crown City History PICRYL
I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H H O T E L D E L C O R O N A D O & C O R O N A D O H I S T O R I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N
Curtiss Flying School’s first students and instructor (above left to right) 2nd Lt. George E. M. Kelly, Army; aviator and instructor Glenn Curtiss; 1st Lt. Paul W. Beck, Army; Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson, Navy; 2nd Lt. John C. Walker, Jr., Army. (Above right) Ellyson behind the wheel.
Curtiss Flying School Lifts Off in 1911
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ordered Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson to report to the camp to undergo flight training under Curtiss’ instruction. Curtiss offered an exhibition to the San Diego Aero Club on Jan. 27, 1911, to cultivate more
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n 1911, Glenn Curtiss established the Curtiss Flying School on North Island, inviting the military and interested civilians to join him as he tested different models of the newly created airplane. The Navy
Harry Harkness purchased three French-built Antoinette monoplanes to jump-start the new San Diego Aero club. This photo was taken by Waldo Waterman just after the arrival of Glenn Curtiss on the North Island and shows two of Harkness’ planes along with several early Curtiss pushers.
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interest and investment in flight. He made an entrance from North Island at 200 feet, flew along the beach line and landed in front of the grandstand by the Hotel del Coronado. The following day, 10,000 spectators gathered to witness the demonstration again. During the show, Ellyson accidentally made his first flight when he tried to move an airplane in front of the audience for exhibition and ended up taking off about 15 feet in the air. At that time, Ellyson had not received any formal flying instructions. The aircraft was damaged slightly upon landing, but Ellyson walked away unscathed.
