Viewing page 19 of 26

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

65 

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

FRANK H. BURNSIDE
Early Thomas Brothers Test Pilot – Instructor

[[image: black and white photograph of Frank 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 1910-11 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 pusher biplane with 50 h.p. Kirkham engine. This plane was fitted with dual controls for instruction. Burnside was one of the students taught to fly by Walter Johnson. Burnside continued to work for the firm and improve his flying skill through 1912. That summer he assisted with production of the first Thomas tractor biplane.

On February 10th, 1913, Burnside obtained Aero Club of America's F.A.I. Pilot License No. 212, flying a 60 h.p. Thomas biplane at their flying field on Winegar Farm, Bath, New York. That summer he started exhibition flying for the Thomas Company at Ely, Nevada, on July 4th. on July 26th he almost made a

Transcription Notes:
editing notations not required per project instructions, READ THEM.