The School of Aeronautics opened May 21, 1917, when the first "squadron" or group of 16 cadets reported. At the end of the first two weeks of intensive military training, the squadron undertook five weeks of theoretical and technical instruction in military aeronautics, consisting of signaling, gunnery, airplanes, engines and aerial observation. The first pilot squadron graduated July 16, 1917. After training roughly 1,300 men, the school closed August 31, 1918.

Three other United States military schools were opened at Ohio State. Between October 19, 1917 and June 26, 1918, the School for Engineering Officers trained 36 cadets as aero-squadron engineer officers. From January 12, 1918 to July 13, 1918, 887 men were trained as aero-squadron adjutants through the School for Aero-Squadron Adjutants. Finally, the School for Balloon Officers, the only one of its kind in the nation, trained 219 men between March 13 and August 3, 1918.

In support of its pilot training program, the University, in June 1942, purchased property for the development of an airport. The new facility was located on the outskirts of town, seven miles north of campus in northwest Columbus. The first plane to utilize the new airport landed at the field on November 5, 1942. What followed was the construction of the airports first two buildings in the spring of 1943, and two 2,200 feet, hard-surfaced runways, taxiways, and aprons in early 1944. The Ohio State University first offered Flight Instruction during spring quarter 1945.

Upon the onset of World War II, the Civilian Pilot Training Program was quickly tied to the war effort, and on November 9, 1942, the University created both the School of Aviation and the Graduate Aviation Center. The School of Aviation offered a comprehensive program of aeronautics, with undergraduate curriculum in aeronautical engineering, meteorology, air transport, photogrammetry, and aviation psychology and physiology. The Graduate Center offered advanced courses in aerodynamics, airplane structures, communication engineering, applied mechanics, theoretical physics, mathematics, etc. In December 1942, the University was designated as a Naval Aviation Cadet Training Center.

Research has been, and continues to be, a major component of the Universitys Aviation Program. Early research projects focused on the training of personnel to operate aircraft, including one project to determine the criteria for flight competence. Following World War II, The Ohio State University Aviation Psychology Program gained national and international recognition for the work done not only on airplanes, but the pioneering of studies on air traffic control as well. In recent years, the University has been the sponsor of eleven biennial International Aviation Psychology Symposia. These led not only to the establishment of the first journal in this discipline, but also to the award of a five year contract with the Federal Aviation Administration to provide Human Factors research support.

Current research projects undertaken by the Universitys Aviation Program include the development of a flight education research program that will look at the effectiveness of Flight Training Devices for improving the efficiency of flight instruction. Having just completed work in support of the NASA Synthetic Vision Display program, work is close to completion on Global Positioning System (GPS) operation with contemporary and advanced control/display interfaces with the pilot. In looking toward the future, the Aviation Program is active in NASAs AGATE program, designed to revolutionize air travel in the next century by realizing the concept of "free flight" into the nations least busy airports.

Other events sponsored, or participated in by the Department include the annual International Symposium on Airline Management; the annual ODOT/OCSC Aviation Career Day; and the bi-annual Aviation Awareness Day, intended to enlighten the surrounding community as to the many aspects of the aviation industry, and the industrys contributions to Central Ohio.

To date, over 5,000 students have graduated from, or received their flight education through, the Universitys Aviation Program, including elected officials, business leaders, and other prominent individuals.

The University Airport is home to 220 aircraft, including, both single- and multi-, piston and turbine engine aircraft and rotorcraft, and sees an estimated 110,000 operations per year, including corporate activity, student training, and pleasure flying. By comparison, the Airport ranks fourth in Ohio in the number of take-offs and landings behind Cleveland Hopkins, Port Columbus, and Dayton Cox International, and within the top 200 out of 403 towered airports nationally.

Primary customers of the facility include local businesses and residents; as well as, transient customers. The University Airport is also home to the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory, several facilities operated by the OSU College of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Transportations Office of Aviation, fourteen corporate flight departments, and three flying clubs.

A number of significant events have helped define the history, and continue to shape the future of the University Airport:

The University Trustees on November 1, 1943 named the new airport Don Scott Field in honor of the former All-American athlete who died in a bomber crash in England on October 1, 1943.

The Ohio State University annually participates in flight competitions, while the Airport hosted the National Intercollegiate Flying Associations (NIFA) National Convention and Air meet in 1960, and its Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) in 1985 and again in 2002.

In 1967, the crew of a TWA 707 mistook the University Airport for Port Columbus International Airport. After shuttling all passengers and baggage to Port Columbus, and removing all galley equipment and seats, the plane was light enough to depart for the larger facility across town.

The Airport has welcomed many dignitaries to Columbus, including former Presidents of the United States, First Ladies, celebrities, and even Giant Pandas from China.

As the Aviation industry prepares for its second 100 years, The Ohio State University Airport strives to continue its role as an industry leader as a premier gateway serving the global aviation community. This will be accomplished by establishing the highest standards in services and facilities supporting education, research, and its customers.