Wilbur Wright
1867–1912 · Co-inventor of the airplane; trained the Army's first pilots
In 1909 the U.S. Army Signal Corps built an airfield at College Park so Wilbur Wright could train the Army's first military pilots in the government's first airplane. He began instruction on October 8, 1909 and made dozens of flights there, including a record run of about 46 mph. The field he launched survives as College Park Airport, the world's oldest continuously operating airport.
Connection to College Park: Trained the first U.S. Army aviators at College Park Airport in 1909.