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[stamped]FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE[/stamped]

with Beech as a passenger. 

This plane was in operation at the school until everything was moved back to Cicero Field, Chicago, in May. The new plane flew well and was in regular operation by National that season at Chicago, and toward fall was taken out on exhibition work. In June Beech had another, but smaller, version of this plane flying at Cicero. It was about three quarter size of the larger model and similar in detail, but a faster plane, being powered by a Roberts Six. 

About July 1st Beech started to take flying lessons from Max Lillie on a Wright biplane and in late August flew his license tests with ease. He was granted F.A.I. Certificate No. 168 on September 28, 1912, subject to approval by the British License Commission. Both BEECH-NATIONAL planes were successful and Beech was the recipient of considerable praise for his competence. Wright controls were installed in the small plane and he continued his flying practice on that machine after completing his course with Lillie. He gained experience rapidly and flew this plane in the 1912 Chicago Meet at Cicero for the National Company, beginning September 12th, where he made a good showing, winning second place in some events.
  
On September 19th Beech flew his first road exhibition at Cadillac, Michigan where he had a forced landing when a splintered propeller forced him down. He started booking ads for exhibitions and at that time was editing a column for Aero and Hydro Magazine called "Beechisms", and in October and November ran an advertisement for aviator and mechanics' uniforms. 

In late November Beech left National and went to Washington, D.C. to have a look at Columbia aeroplanes and Gyro motors. There he negotiated for for the rebuilt Columbia biplane from the Washington Aeroplane Company, formerly flown by Paul Peck. Powered by a Gyro rotary motor, the wing span was increased and numerous improvements made during the thorough overhal. 

With this plane Beech started flying exhibitions on his own in the spring of 1913. June 1st he flew for three days at Cincinnati, Ohio with Katherine Stinson, on June 10th he was Kokomo, Indiana and June 22d to 25th flew at Muncie, Indiana. Continuing in the mid-west he flew at a fair at Bristol, Tennessee for one week in October. That fall he announced he had flown an engagement at some place every week 

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