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

OSCAR A. BRINDIEY
Early Wright Instructor - Exhibition and Test Pilot

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Oscar A. Brindley was born at Albany, Ohio, November 21, 1888. Mechanically inclined, his first employment after he finished school was at the Nelsonville Foundry & Machine Company in neighboring Nelsonville, Ohio. Brindley remained there for a time then moved to Columbus, Ohio where he worked as a machinist with the R. E. Jeffery Machine Company. During this time his interest turned to automobiles and he became an ardent motoring fan, and through his natural mechanical ability quite an expert on automobile engines.

During 1910 Brindley's interests broadened to aviation following the progressive developments of the Wright Brothers at Dayton and in Phil Parmelee's flight from Dayton to Columbus on November 7th carrying two bolts of silk yard-goods consigned to a local department store. As a result of his continued growing interest in flying Brindley joined the early 1911 spring class at the Wright School, Simms Station, Dayton, Ohio. He started his instruction there on March 11th and soloed on May 15th. In this class were: Lt. John Rodgers,U.S.N., Leonard W. Bonney, Calbraith Rodgers, Louis Mitchell and Andrew Drew. The instructors at that time were Al Welsh, Cliff Turpin and Frank Coffyn.

After completing his instruction Brindley was made a member of the Wright.