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beyond expenses went into his fledgling aircraft factory at Santa Anita. Under Knabenshue's management, Martin began to prosper. It wasn't until Knabenshue talked Martin into flying his plane from Balboa Island in Newport Bay, some twenty miles south of Los Angeles, to Catalina Island and return in order "to gain a reputation," that he became a big-time exhibition pilot. Martin had installed a single pontoon and wing-tip floats on his airplane and practiced taking off and landing in the quiet waters of Newport Bay. May 10, 1912, was a red-letter day, as a crowd gathered on the beach of Balboa Island. Many thought it was sure suicide as Martin prepared his plane. Even Knabenshue tried to discourage him as the clouds hung low over the ocean. But Martin was determined and confident as he climbed into the open seat. A barometer was strapped on one knee and a compass on the other. Around his shoulder dangled an inflated bicycle tube for a life preserver. The seaplane skimmed across the water, lifted itself, and climbed into the clouds. After a half hour, Martin worked his way down through the clouds and swooped down over Catalina and touched down at Avalon, as a cheering crowd greeted him. Unfortunately, pebbles on the beach ruptured the bottom of the pontoon and he had to arrange with a boat-maker to patch the pontoon before he could take off again. When all was ready, he taxied his plane into the wind and took off. Just as he got off, the patch let go. It was near dusk when he came in over Balboa Island's beach and stalled the plane in 25