 In 1906 he was assigned to attend the "École Impériale de Cavalerie" (French Cavalry School of Application) at Saumur.Lahm's father joined the Aéro-Club de France in 1902 (at the age of 56), purchased a balloon he named the "Katherine Hamilton" in honor of his daughter, and qualified for his balloon pilot's certificate in November 1904.The elder Lahm made frequent flights and initiated his son during a night ascension in stormy weather.