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However, in May, 1911 he did get a job helping to build planes with the International Aeroplane Company of Chicago. This firm and the Modern School of Aviation had just merged and was established to manufacture aeroplanes, conduct a flying school and engage in exhibition flying at Fairs and Carnivals. About June 1st, 1911 the firm occupied Hangar No. 8 at the newly established Cicero Flying Field, where they had one Curtiss-type pusher biplane with Roberts engine. Allan M. Lougheed had joined the firm as instructor-pilot, and this was the start of the Stadlman-Lougheed friendship that later materially affected their joint aviation accomplishments. Although Lougheed personally had very little previous flying experience he was able to assist student Harry Powers to learn to fly on the International School machine at Cicero Field.

Stadlman was kept busy helping to build new planes and about August 1st the company moved their shop from Cicero Field to a building in downtown Chicago for added facilities as well as a more convenient location. As soon as additional planes were completed Lougheed and Powers were sent out on exhibition dates that summer and fall. Vannie Ludvik and John Rosenbaum were also taught to fly and before fall they too started flying exhibitions. That fall the firm closed the downtown shop and moved all operations back to Cicero Field and in November reorganized to become the National Aeroplane Manufacturing Company.

At this time Stadlman evidently severed connections with the firm, because he was so eager to learn to fly, and signed up with the Aero Exhibition Company of Chicago when he learned they planned to conduct a school in Florida that winter. Harry Powers was going with the firm as an instructor and the venture looked promising. Quite a group of recruits left Chicago for the advertised training camp at Rockledge, Florida, on December 9th. This was to be a school where the student could earn part of his tuition working as a mechanic, but the whole setup again proved to