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the Estay Aero Corporation, Chicago. Also associated with them were R. J. Hoffman and Harry Powers, and reportedly they started the construction of a Gyro motored military type tractor biplane designed by C. M. Vought.

During the late Fall of 1915 Stadlman took on the task of rebuilding a Benoist-type XIV Flying Boat for P. G. (Bud) Morriss who was in the process of organizing a school and flying service to open in Grand Rapids, Michigan the following Spring. Morriss had several modifications and changes he wanted made and Stadlman was assisted by wall known Chicago aero modeler Joe Lucas. In early 1916 the work was moved to grand Rapids and preparations were under way to operate a flying school and carry passengers at nearby Reeds Lake for the summer. The project was being financed by several Grand Rapids business men, and Harry Powers was to fly the plane. Later that Summer B. R. (Fish) Hassell also flew for the group and Stadlman took care of the mechanical end of the project. Operations continued that Summer, then evidently the backers decided to go into aviation more extensively and planned to organize a company to build planes. In December, 1916 Stadlman and B. F. Kenyon, a member of the firm, made a trip to Washington, D. C. to see about possible Government contracts, then on to the Curtiss School at Newport News, Virginia, returning by way of Buffalo, New York to visit the Curtiss factory.

In May, 1917 Stadlman was completing a new flying boat with a Curtiss OX engine, which was exhibited at the annual local Auto Show that Spring, with Stadlman in charge of the display booth. In June the Michigan Aircraft Company was formed, with Stadlman as Chief Engineer and Factory Superintendant [[Superintendent]], E. J. Clark, President; Jewell Clark, Vice President and Pilot; B. F. Kenyon, Secretary and R. J. Seyberth, Treasurer and Business Manager. Their first shop was located in a former movie theatre building. [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] At that time the company had two planes in operation and two under construction. The firm continued through World War I and developed a very creditable flying boat along Curtiss lines, and operated two flying schools, one at Muskegon Lake, the other at Macatawa Park. There was evidently some interest in their boat