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May, 1912. Instructors there were Harry Atwood and Arch Freeman, using Burgess-Wright planes. Atwood took him for a few rides, then turned him over to Freeman, who taught him to fly. In the same class were H. Roy Waite and Jack McGee. Due to delays when the instructors were away on exhibition dates, Jones did not make his first solo flight until late in the summer, to become Rhode Island's first aviator. He was then 22 years old. 

In the Fall of 1912 Jones learned of a wrecked Burgess-Wright plane in storage at Saugus which was for sale ay a bargain. He investigated and bought it, after determining that several Burgess factory mechanics would assist him in rebuilding it. This was completed in December and he began to fly it at once. At this time there was a price of $10,000 awaiting the first aviator to land in Boston Common and Jones was determined to win that prize. Joe Toy, the Editor of the Boston Post, wanted to help Jones get started, so he began acting as his manager and advisor. On January 2, 1913, after less than three hours solo  flying time, Jones flew from Saugus, over the heart of Boston and landed safely in the Common, the first and only aviator to do so. The possibility of doing this has been discussed, and rejected, by other well-known aviators because it was [who] considered  too hazardous an undertaking. To land it was necessary to dodge trees, wires and fences [[strikethrough]] crossing [[/strikethrough]] obstructing the Common in all directions. At first the police were going to arrest him, but after further consideration allowed him to dismantle and remove his plane without trouble. After actually accomplishing the landing, he went to collect his prize money but was told the offer was only good during 1912, and since he landed January 2[[strikethrough]]nd[[strikethrough]], 1913, he could not collect it. however, the feat, together with the [[strikethrough]] accom- [[/strikethrough]] publicity, fired his ambition and now he was anxious to get flying experience and ass to his laurels. 

This flight produced another difficulty. Jones had flown and passed his 

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