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he had learned to be more helpful about the field and again soon earned the good will of the class, all of whom called him "The Kid". Without his knowledge, Cal Rodgers had taken a liking to him for his readiness and willingness to work and learn anything that was to be done at any time. As a result, when Rodgers finished his course, purchased a new plane and started out on his own to fly exhibitions, he invited Wiggin to join him as helper and mechanic. He jumped at the chance and this was the start of his career in aviation. He was overjoyed by his good fortune.

Wiggin was Rodger's first passenger as they started to fly exhibitions in western Ohio. From there they went to the famed Chicago Meet, where he mingled with and saw all the crack aviators of the world. After the Meet they stayed around Chicago for a few days carrying passengers and then filled a two-day exhibition date at Appleton, Wisconsin. Following this they began to make plans to enter the William Randolph Hurst Transcontinental Race. He was with Rodgers on this renowned trip, starting at Sheepshead Bay, Long Island, on September 17, 1911, and ending at Long Beach, California on December 10th. This expedition proved Wiggin's mettle as an aeroplane mechanic. Nearly every landing meant repairs or serious rebuilding, and involved a tremendous amount of work, but he did his part well and stuck with the task night and day throughout the trip. He remained in California with Rodgers through the winter months and toward spring they began to carry passengers and fill some exhibition dates.

On April 2, 1912, Rodgers said "Wiggin, I'm going to teach you to fly." They started off on his "second ride" and when in the air Rodgers turned the warp control only over to him, which he operated for several minutes. The next day Rodgers was killed while flying alone and that ended Wiggin's "flying lessons". Mrs. Rodgers went East with Cal's body and Wiggin took care of the wreck, putting it in the basement of the hotel where they were staying. After her return to California Mrs. Rodgers granted him permission to rebuild the plane, after which it was taken to Dominguez Field, where she

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