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September and October his plane and engine were in better working order and he was flying quite well. Continuing practice, he flew his license tests there on December 23d, still using his Macomber-powered Curtiss-type plane, and was granted F.A.I. Certificate No. 88 on January 10, 1912.

There is evidence that Stites was also associated with Charles Brodwick and his balloon business at that time. During December, 1911 Stites kept his plane in a shed at Dominguez, shared by Harvey Crawford, and about that time a young plane builder, George Barnhart, brought a new, good looking, well built plane to the field, less engine, and stored it in the same shed.

During January, 1912 Stites and Brodwick offered to help young Barnhart get started by arranging to get a Hall-Scott engine for his plane and to teach him to fly. Barnhart agreed to this and late that month his plane was taken to Griffith Park flying field, where in February the engine was installed, and Stites started flying it. This proved to be a good maachine and soon Barnhart was flying it, then during late February and March Stites taught Victor Carlstrom.

Stites and Brodwick then made a deal with Barnhart to use this plane in exhibition work, giving his a share of the profits. March 10th Stites flew the plane in an exhibition with Harvey Crawford at the San Bernardino Orange Show, where Stites made several flights. Brodwick then obtained a contract to give balloon ascensions and parachute drops, and for Stites to fly, at Ocean Park, California during April and May as a park attraction. Early in April the Barnhart plane was taken to Ocean Park where Stites made two flights daily, while Barnhart and Carlstrom served as mechanics. Brodwick and his daughter, Tiny, made daily chute drops from their balloons.

While engaged at Ocean Park Stites decided to fly cross-country from the park to Long Beach. This flight was made on June 1st and in landing on the beach in front of the Virginia Hotel he banked steeply to clear the roller coaster, lost control and had a smashup, partially wrecking the Barnhart plane and sustaining a back injury. The plane was rebuilt in the basement of the hotel, then sent to Planada, California, where Stites gave an exhibition. Next Stites and Barnhart