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RUTH LAW

Early Burgess Wright - Curtiss Exhibition Pilot

5th Licensed Woman Pilot in the U.S.

Ruth Law was born in Lynn, Mass. March 21, 1887, the daughter of a former Navel officer, and was a sister of Rodman Law, famed early parachute jumper.  She married Chas. A. Oliver of New York City, August 9, 1907.

Becoming interested in flying, she entered the Burgess Flying School at the old Saugus Race Track, Boston, Mass. late in June, 1912.  Miss Law had her first ride about July 1st, took her first lesson on July 5th and made her first solo flight on land planes on August 1st.  Her instructor was Harry N. Atwood.

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Following this Miss Law took some hydro instruction from W.S. Burgess and in September flew her first public exhibition at a small local meet, though she had not taken her license tests at that time.  She bought a plane and entered the Columbus Day Meet on October 13th, to be held at the new Oakwood Heights Flying Field on Staten Island, N.Y., and was the sensation of the show.  After the Meet she continued practice flying and on November 12, 1912, obtained License No. 188 on her Burgess-Wright.  During her stay there she contracted to fly for the Clarendon Hotel, a beach resort at Sea Breeze, Fla., for the winter, starting January 4, 1913.  There she made daily flights as a resort attraction and carried many socially prominent passengers.  He engagement lasted until the early spring months, when she returned north for the Summer season.

Early in June, 1913, Miss Law flew for the Easton Home Week Celebration at Allentown, Pa., and then engaged to fly at the fashionable Newport, R.I. beach resort for the mid-summer season.  In late August she established herself at the Hempstead, L.I. Flying Field carrying passengers and making exhibition flights.  early in October she was at the Mt. Holly, N.J. Fair Grounds for a time, carrying passengers.  On November 6, 1913, she flew in the Fall Meet at the Oakwood Heights Flying Field, Staten Island, and again made a good showing, making a 20 minute flight to 2,000 feet.  While there, on November 14, she also created quite a sensation by making a 20 minute night flight in bright moonlight.  On December 12-13 she made several flights at Hackensack, N.J.  Following this she renewed her winter engagement at the Hotel Clarendon, Sea Breeze, Fla., where she remained until the spring months.  While there she made some notable short cross country jaunts carrying resorts guests.

On May 30, 1914, Miss Law began a weeks engagement at Oakwood Heights, Staten Island, and in June started flying again at Newport, R.I.  On July 5th she made a fine moonlight flight there for the resort guests.  Following the summer season she made a mid-west exhibition