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which Springer conducted exhaustive tests at McCook and Langley Fields, then the Army ordered four planes with exchangeable landing gear, wheels and floats for the flight.

In 1925 Douglass brought out the XO-2 to replace the DH-4's and Springer conducted the tests at McCook Field; then the Army ordered seventy-five planes.

As a stunt, Springer flew an XO-2 from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, Utah, loaded with 1,000 pounds to demonstrate the possibility of an airmail and express route between the two cities.  As a result a group of businessmen formed Western Air Express, later known as Western Airlines.  For this service Douglas brought out the M-2 special mail plane version of the XO-2 and Western ordered six planes.  They carried more than twice the amount of mail as the DCH-4, with the same type of Liberty engine.

Springer remained test pilot for Douglas until 1930 when he was appointed supervisor of production control, Douglas Aircraft Company, and remained in this capacity until 1935.  At that time he was made assistant plant manager of the El Segundo Plant, then later was vice president and general manager of that division where he remained until his retirement in 1957.  During Springer's administration there he saw employment rise to over 20,000 during World War II, when over 10,000 combat planes were produced.

Over the years Springer received the award of Honorary Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and became a member of the Air Mail Pioneers and Early Birds.  He held F.A.I. Pilot License No. 509, and Transport License No. 403.

Springer passed away on April 4, 1971, at age 79, survived by a son , a daughter, and a brother.  Burial was in Hollywood Memorial Park, Los Angeles.

Flying Pioneer Thomas E. "Eric" Springer was indeed an extraordinary person in the development years of American Aviation History.  The initial test pilot

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