**A Historic Evening at Châlons-sur-Marne** On the evening of Friday, August 6, 1909, the aerodrome at the Camp de Châlons-sur-Marne hosted a significant aviation competition organized under the auspices of the Ligue nationale aérienne. The event brought together numerous aviators eager to claim one of three prizes on offer. Among them, the Franco-British aviator Henry Farman emerged victorious, taking the first prize for pilot training—a distinction made possible by the performance of his student, Roger Sommer. **The Student's Triumph** Roger Sommer, then thirty-two years old, secured this honor for his instructor by completing three flights of one kilometer each within ten minutes, each punctuated by a landing. These flights demonstrated not only Sommer's skill but also the effectiveness of Farman's teaching methods. Sommer would later earn his pilot's license on January 15, 1910, cementing his place in aviation history. **The Competition's Design** The contest was conceived by Albert Combe Saint-Macary and offered a prize of 1,000 francs. Monsieur Levavasseur served as the delegated commissioner to ensure the smooth running of the event, which was widely covered by the press of the time. This competition highlighted the growing importance of structured pilot training in the early days of aviation. **Why This Matters for Aviation Students** For modern ATPL and ATC students, this historical anecdote underscores the long-standing value of rigorous flight instruction. The early emphasis on standardized maneuvers—such as the three one-kilometer flights with landings—mirrors today's training syllabi, where precision and repetition build competence. Understanding these roots can inspire students to appreciate the evolution of training standards and the enduring role of instructors in shaping safe pilots.