Viewing page 6 of 26

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

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

FRANK H. BURNSIDE

Early Thomas Brothers Test Pilot - Instructor

[[image: photo of Frank H. Burnside]]

Frank H. Burnside was born at Oneonta, New York, August 7, 1888. He attended local schools, then studied music, attending the Utica Conservatory of Music in 1908, and the Susquehanna College of Mines in 1909.
During 1910-1911 aviation began to attract his attention which resulted in his becoming employed with the Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company, Bath, New York in December, 1911. The company started a flying school in January, 1912, flying off the ice of nearby Lake Salubria, using a Model 10 B Thomas pusher biplane with 50 H.P. Kirkham engine. This plane was especially fitted with dual controls for instruction, and as one of the students Burnside was taught to fly by Walter Johnson. He continued to work for the firm and maintained his flying practice through 1912. That summer the company brought out their first tractor biplane and Burnside assisted with this project.
On February 10th, 1913 Burnside obtained F.A.I. Pilot License No. 212, flying a 60 H.P. Thomas biplane at their flying field at Winegar Farm, Bath, New York. That summer he started flying exhibitions for the Thomas Company and flew at Ely, Nevada on July 4th. On July 26th Burnside almost set up a

1