The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-21
ONE PUPIL NOW ENROLLED
Three Machines Now Owned by
the School.
First Machine Sold by Proprie-
tors a Success.

w. c. Miller and W. A. Kopseker of
the airplane factory at sos North Kan
sas avenue, have opened a school of
Tying, which will be known as THE
Sunflower School of Aviation" 1t
opened this week with the modest en-
rollment of one pupil. The instructors
believe in doing things now. hence
their small beginning.
The school offers two courses, one
Tor instruction in flying, and the other
Tor training in the construction of air
planes. The pupil enrolled r. S. Love-
less. 1425 Buchanan street. has signed
up for the mechanical course. Half
a-dozen other young men are greatly
interested in the school and have
about decided to enter
The proprietors of the school are
well qualified to instruct in the two
courses offered. Kopseker is an eX-
pert machinist and understands thoro-
ly the different types of engines used
in aircraft, while Miller is familiar
with their general construction, and
also understands the woodwork and
plain building. He has had experience
in connection with different well
known flyers. He was mechanic for
Lincoln Beachey for two years. and for
Charles X. Hamilton. at the time of
his long distance flight from New
York to Philadelphia, in a Curtiss BIZ
plane.
The demand for men in the two lines
of instruction taught, is constantly in
creasing. Miller and Kopseker are in
close touch with the officials of the
Curtiss plant at Buffalo, New York and
would know of openings in their fac
tories. Kopseker is a personal friend
of Charles Day, head chief engineer
of the Standard Aircraft company at
Eliza beth, Ohio, and any graduate he
would recommend would be consider
ed by Day, he says
The ground school training field will
be at West Seventeenth street, where
there is ample room for the necessary
maneuvers. This course will be
opened early in June.
Three biplanes are to be seen in the
factory at present. One, a small
training tractor fitted with a so horse
pounds, will be used as a school ma
chine. 1t has spread of "a feet over
all and weighs $50 pounds.
A two-paSSenger bfplane of the
"pusher" type, with so horsepower
kirkham engine weighing 24S pounds.
is practically completed. 1t has a
spread of 80 feet over all, and weighs
900 pounds. This type of aircraft is
much easier to manage than that of
the enclosed style.
Also Have French Racer.
The third biplane is of the French
racing type with a Monoque body. and
is fitted with a rs horsepower Roberts
engine with speed of from 20 to 80
miles an hour. 1t has a spread of 80
feet and weighs 1850 pounds.
The first airplane was sold by Miller
and Kopseker several years ago to the
Honest Bill Show company of QUEEN
emo. Kan This machine made sue
cessful flights in western Kansas and
Nebraska and they were only discon-
tinued this year owing to the difficulty
in obtaining flyers.
There is no reason why Topeka
should not have an aviation school.
Miller and Kopseker say, and with
their years Of practical experience.
they believe they are ably fitted to
give the instruction necessary.
The public is invited to visit their
factory at 500 NorthKansas avenue and
see the aircraft in course of con-
struction.