Subsequently in August 1915 he applied for aviation duty and completed an observer's course and served with Fliegerabteilung (Artillerie) 219. Later he was accepted for pilot training and when he completed his training, he was sent to France in early 1917, serving for a brief period with Jasta Boelcke, and then went to Jagdstaffel 5 on 10 June 1917. He served as a Vizefeldwebel, along with Josef Mai and Otto Könnecke, two other enlisted pilots.
Subsequently in August 1915 he applied for air service duty and completed an observer's training course and served with Fliegerabteilung (Artillery) 219. Later he was accepted for flight training and when he finished his training, he was sent to France in early 1917, serving briefly with Jasta Boelcke, and then went to Jagdstaffel 5 on June 10, 1917. He served as a Vizefeldwebel, along with Josef Mai and Otto Könnecke, two other enlisted pilots.