in 1910, gustav otto founded the "aeroplanbau otto-alberti" workshop at the puchheim airfield, where gustav, along with a few others, flew machines made of wood, wire, and canvas and were powered by an engine. through their passion for these flying machines, they helped transform aviation from a do-it-yourself hobby to a genuine industry vital to the military, especially after the breakout of world war i. ernst udet, the second highest scoring german flying ace of world war i (second only to the red baron), earned his pilots license from private training with gustav during this time.