Viewing page 5 of 8

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

154

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 could be learned regarding when and where he learned to fly.

The first reference to his activities in aviation appears in April, 1913, when he owned and was flying the 50 [[strikethrough]] horsepower [[/strikethrough]] h.p. gyro-powered Bleriot monoplane formerly owned by Floyd Smith. He had this plane at Dominguez Field, Los Angeles, where later that month he sold it to the Schiller Flying School. They hired Hill as their Bleriot instructor. There is evidence that Hill remained with the Schiller School through at least midsummer, and during that time flew his license tests there. His F.A.I. 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 and was powered by a 7-cylinder, 50 [[strikethrough]] horsepower [[/strikethrough]] h.p. 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 14th, Hill took up a large bundle of small flags which he planned to drop over the city. As he was about to start dropping them the package suddenly burst open. The wind blew the flags all over him and for a brief time he was unable to see. Just then an oil line broke under the instrument panel, flooding him with hot oil. Through it all Hill kept his head, got himself untangled, and made a safe landing.