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R-33-62
[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEER BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

HOWARD M. RINEHART
Early Wright Exhibition and Test Pilot - Instructor

Howard M. Rinehart was born March 16, 1885 at Eaton, Ohio, a few miles west of Dayton. He was a graduate of Eaton High School and the Naval Electrical College, Washington, D.C., then went with International Telephone and Telegraph Co., The Amazon Wireless Co. as a wireless construction engineer in Brazil from 1905 through 1912. 

Rinehart saw his first flying when a French pilot flew a Bleriot Monoplane to Manaos, Brazil during the summer of 1912 and became interested. Knowing about the activities of the Wright Brothers near his home, he decided to return to the States and investigate learning to fly. As a result, Rinehart joined the Wright School for flight instruction in August, 1913, and started about September 1st. His instructor was Oscar Brindley, but Orville Wright soon took a liking to him and also gave him some special attention. On September 22, 1913, he flew for his license, No. 266, on a school Wright, at Simms Station, Ohio. Continuing his practice there, Rinehart soon joined J.S. Berger, Exhibition flying promotor, to tour the South for the winter months. Also flying for Berger were H. Roy Waite and George Gray.

After an active winter exhibition season, Rinehart was appointed instructor of the Wright School when it opened at Dayton, Ohio, about May 15, 1914. He taught a notable class of students that season, including many Canadians who later became well known in World War I. In September, 1914, Rinehart joined the Elton Aviation Co. of Youngstown, Ohio, for a few weeks, to give exhibition flights. The Company had a Model B Wright and later acquired a single propeller Model E machine. On October 9th he had a miraculous escape while flying at Lynchburg, Va. when the plane fell out of control from 1800 feet, turning completely over