_History._--The year 1911 marked the beginning of the United States aviation school at San Diego. There is no finer tribute to the equability and general excellence of the climate of southern California than that given in the history of aëronautics. It was here, in 1900, that Chanute completed his early and epoch-making observations of the flight of gulls and pelicans. These contributed largely to the success of the Wright brothers a few years afterward. It was in southern California, six years ago, that Harkness, in an Antoinette, made his record monoplane flight to Tia Juana. San Diego witnessed the flying of the first seaplane, by Curtiss, five years ago. It is in this district that not only the War Department aviation school and a number of commercial flying schools are located, but also one of the large airplane[B] factories in this country. [B] The National Advisory Committee for Aëronautics in its report of October 17, 1916, on Nomenclature for Aëronautics, the name _airplane_ is substituted for “Any form of aircraft heavier than air which has wing surfaces for sustention, with stabilizing surfaces, rudders for steering, and power-plant for propulsion through the air.” _Location of the School._--Whatever the final action may be as to permanent location, it has been conceded by all authorities that the situation of the aviation school on North Island, San Diego Bay, is ideal. (See Fig. 21.) The so-called island is connected with the peninsula of Coronado by a narrow sand-spit, and it comprises many hundred acres of level land free from buildings and any sort of overhead wires. The island fronts the ocean on the south; Point Loma on the west with the narrow entrance to the bay between; to the north is the city of San Diego across the bay; and Coronado just beyond Spanish Bight on the east. This natural arrangement gives good air conditions for beginners, and also enables them to use the smooth waters of the bay as well as the rough ocean water for the seaplanes. The proximity of this location to San Diego is also a distinct advantage. (See Fig. 11.) All of the structures of the aviation school on North Island are temporary, the buildings consisting of a scattering array of huge sheds. _Character of Instruction._--Officers from all branches of the army volunteer for this service. The qualifications of an aviator are caution, judgment, and technical skill. Deficiencies in caution and judgment being temperamental are rarely remedied, while technical skill is largely a matter of acquirement. Less than ninety days are allowed for qualification as a junior aviator, and if in that period the officer’s deficiencies are found to be inherent, he returns to his company.