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Thomas J. Hill 
Pioneer California Bleriot Monoplane Pilot

Thomas J. Hill was born at
Kansas City, Missouri, 
September 7, 1883. Information
is lacking concerning 
his early life, education and
occupation, but he evidently 
participated in mechanical trades. 
Nothing will be learned regarding when
where he learned to fly. 

The first reference to 
his activities in aviation 
appear in April 1913 when he
owned and was flying the 50 hp
GYRO-powered Bleriot monoplane
formerly owned by Floyd Smith.
He had his plane at Dominquez
Field, Los Angeles, where later
that month he sold it to the 
Schiller Flying School. There hired Hill as their Bleriot
instructor. There is evidence that Hill remained with the Schiller school
through at least mid-summer, and during that time flew his license tests there.
His F.A.L. Pilot License No. 274 is dated December 3, 1913.
After leaving Schiller, Hill started building a new two-seat Bleriot monoplane for himself. Completed in the late spring of 1914 it was beautifully made, 
powered by a 7 cylinder 50 hp., GYRO rotary engine. 
He started flying this plane at Venice, California in June. This was a resort area and Frank Stites was also flying there. On Flag day, June 14, Hill