The Aerosteers are military units who operate flying machines. The first such machine was the "Entreprenant" which was first used by the French army in 1794 against the Austrian at the battle of Fleurus. It performed well for observation purposes and further companies were created over the following years.
The following year also saw the establishement of the first aerosteer school under scientist Nicholas Conté.
In 1797, André-Jacques Garnerin jumps from a balloon from 6,500 feet over Monceau Park in Paris in a 23-foot-diameter parachute made of white canvas with a basket attached. Following this demonstration, a group is set up at the aerosteer school to study possible military application of the parachute.