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publicity. A tractor model of this plane built that year was not successful. [[strikethrough]] and was dropped. [[/strikethrough]]
In the late fall of 1911 preparations were made to start a flying school, and in January, 1912 Johnson began instructing off the ice of Lake Salubria at Bath, using the Model TA Machine. The first students were Earl Beers, Frank Burnside, Charles Niles, Ralph Brown and D. C. Patmore. That spring floats were fitted and Hydro instruction also given. Theirs was one of the most economical flying schools in the United States, advertising $250.00 for the complete course with no additional charges. The students were also given employment in the shop if they wished, where they could learn plane construction and work out some of their tuition fee. The school grew, the company built additional planes and in the spring Johnson again started flying exhibitions, while Burnside took over as instructor and taught a number of additional students that year.
During early 1912 the brothers built and experimented with a  monoplane of 32 foot span, using a 70 [[strikethrough]] H.P. [[/strikethrough]] hp., geared Kirkham engine, with total weight of about 700 pounds, but this [[strikethrough]] model [[/strikethrough]] type was not continued. On October 31st Johnson established a new American [[strikethrough]] E [[/strikethrough]] endurance [[strikethrough]] R [[/strikethrough]] record, with passenger, at Bath, using a Model TA plane with 65 [[strikethrough]] H.P. [[/strikethrough]] hp., Kirkham engine. Carrying mechanic Arthur Blasiar they remained aloft for 3 hours, 50 minutes.
That fall the Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company of Bath was incorporated by William T. Thomas, Oliver W. Thomas, Cummings L. Cox and Walter E. Johnson. On November 4th, 1912 Thomas graduate student Charles Niles flew for 4 hours, 45 minutes in an attempt to break the American [[strikethrough]] E [[/strikethrough]] endurance [[strikethrough]] R [[/strikethrough]] record but was forced to land just short of a record with a dead engine. 
During 1913 the Thomas School again taught a number of students, including Earl Fritts, Glenn Tait, Arthur Blasiar and John Tweed. Early that year the firm brought out a new improved headless pusher biplane. Known as the Model E it had a Farman type landing gear and a small streamlined nacelle with windshields to protect the pilot. Two of these were built, one using a 6-cylinder, 70 [[strikethrough]] H.P. [[/strikethrough]] hp., Maximotor and the other, a passenger machine, powered by a [[strikethrough]] 90 H.P.[[/strikethrough]] hp.,imported Austro-Daimler engine. 
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