Lambert Memorial Park Beech Bottom, WV

From the signage at the site, it's unclear why no flight training was scheduled but the WVFC did own 4 aircraft.  

One was a 2 seat Curtiss NJ-4 with dual controls that was to be used for flight training.  Another was a "penguin", a short-winged aircraft that was incapable of flight but allowed the students to get used to controlling planes by taxiing around the airfield.

The remaining two were disassembled biplanes. As the students were to be thoroughly schooled in aircraft construction as well as flight mechanics, these planes were to be assembled onsite and were likely the focus of the "shop work" listed on the drill itinerary.

It is likely that any flight practice would have also been scheduled at these times or after supper as the weather allowed but this is speculation on my part and based on references to "calm conditions" prevailing on day of the fateful flight of Cadet Courtney Lambert.

The WVFC began flying sorties on August 3rd, 1917. It is unclear if Cadet Lambert was the first to fly that day but around 6pm he and Flight Instructor William Frey took off from the airfield.  They flew around the Beech Bottom power plant to the South, circled West to the Ohio River and followed it North, receiving a grand ovation as they passed the airfield buildings.  

At 6:26 pm, as they were preparing to land, the aircraft shuddered, one of the wings dipped and the Curtiss nosedived into a nearby cornfield.  Cadet Lambert was killed on impact but instructor Frey, though badly wounded was cut out of the wreckage (with an axe) and survived.

The WVFC was setup as a reserve unit instead of a generic Army training squadron. The Wilson administration rejected the idea of using volunteer units, the draft began taking the airmen and mechanics and the WVFC was forced to disband.

Capt. Bennett put on a final air show for the residents of Wheeling and, deciding that the fastest way to becoming a combat pilot was to join the Canadian Royal Air Corps, he left for Canada in October of 1917.

Signage at the site indicates that Bennett was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the RAF and, although it seems that he flew combat missions for just 9 days, during his service, he was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross.  

On August 24, 1918 he was shot down after destroying 2 German observation balloons.  He was killed in action and was buried with military honors by the Germans in Wavrin, near Lille, France.