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Gyro Motor Company. The Washington Aeroplane Company was formed; the principals in it were James L. Simmons and Robert Moore, a machinist in charge of experimental work on the Gyro motor for Mr. Berliner. Simmons was also interested in the Paragon Propeller Company with Spencer Heath. The first Columbia biplane was completed in January, 1912, and unsed a 7-cynlinder 50-[[strikethrough]] h.p. Gyro engine. It was a conventional single-seat pusher biplane of 30-foot span with Farman-type landing gear. The pilot sat forward of the wings in a short streamlined nacelle protecting him from the wind. The concept of this plane was largely the work of Peck and Simmons. In February Peck made the first test flights with this plane at the College Park airfield. They were highly successful. At this time he was flying for the Columbia group and that month started booking exhibitions in his own name. 

Leaving for the South, Peck flew a Gryo-engined Columbia biplane in his first air meet at Montgomery, Alabama, for one week starting on March 4th. This event was a combined automobile show with track races and an air meet, lasting about ten days. Also flying there were Eugene Heth, Oscar Brindley, Louis Mitchell, Harold Kantner, Oliver Sherwood and Fred Schneider. Peck made a good showing and one afternoon flew over the city and circled the old Capital of the Confederacy. While there, on March 8th, he made a forced landing in a plowed field and turned over. With the help of some farmers he righted the plane, found there was nothing wrong, got started and took off from the field and flew back to the meet. He then went to Atlanta, Georgia, where he made a series of demonstrations, in the interest of the Gyro Motor Company, before the officers at the Army Flying School. His flying there was remarkable and on March 28 he made a flight of two hours and eighteen minutes. Following this, Peck went to Birmingham, Alabama, for another air meet held from April 8 through 20. Also flying there were Eugene Heth, Louie Mitchell, Oscar Brindley, Len Bonney, Fred Schneider, James Ward and George Mestach. During this meet Peck defeated

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