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

a sum that enabled him to obtain flight instruction and purchase a plane. As a result he left for Europe in December, 1910 and had his first ride with M. Farman in France.

Ovington enrolled at the Bleriot School at Pau, France and was instructed by Louis Berlot. He ordered a plane at once and by January, 1911 was flying well. He continued practice until his new plane was ready, and before leaving for home flew his tests for a French license. Ovington arrived back in New York in March, bringing with him his new racing-type Bleriot monoplane powered by a 70 H.P. Gnome rotary engine. He also brought over an experienced French aviation mechanic to supervise his mechanics' staff. The new plane was assembled at Belmont Park at once, christened the "Dragonfly" and numbered 13. There Ovington at once started flying for fun and practice, somewhat secretly at first, then gave his first United States public exhibition at Belmont on April 29th for a number of friends, the press and Aero Club members. He flew for 45 minutes, starting from Belmont passing over Mineola, Garden City and Nassau and return. On May 3d, 1911 Ovington was granted French License No. 440 by the approval of his earlier tests. 

May 5th to 7th he flew at Bridgeport, Connecticut at Tilyous Island, then returned to Belmont where he continued practice and cross-country flying through May. That month he became Secretary of the New York Aero Club and a member of the Aeronautical Society. He was a contestant at a flying meet at Columbus, Ohio May 29th to June 5th with T.S. Baldwin, Phil Parmelee and Tom Sopwith. Bad weather hampered the event but some flying was done. June 15th to 20th Ovington flew at the Metz Aviation Meet at Waltham, Massachusetts with Harry Atwood, James V. Martin and Paul Studenski. There he did remarkably well and he and Atwood stole the show. The day before the event opened he made a cross-country flight, flying over three adjoining towns to advertize [[advertise]] the meet. During the event he flew over Boston and circled Bunker Hill Monument and the Old State House, then returned over Waltham and Watertown and dropped letters to the Mayors. On June 23d Ovington was one of the founder members of the Aviation Club of Boston. 

He continued his flying at Waltham for a time and on June 30th again flew

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