In 1917 she received a telegram from four Canadians asking her to train them in order that they might enter the air service of their country. The first four were followed by others and still others. In all she trained several score, not including chance civilians. One of her first difficulties during these intensive days was a requirement of the Canadians that they be taught the “three-in-one” method. That meant she had to change her ship from a wing warping type to one with ailerons. Instead of the three levers with which it was equipped, she had to work out means of substituting one operated by an automobile steering wheel. By the combined efforts of her pupils, her mechanic and herself that engineering feat was accomplished and she flight tested the machine.
With all her students she had to make an agreement that at a given signal they would release the controls to her, if she wished. This she did to overcome the handicap of her size. Being so much smaller than the individuals she was teaching, she might otherwise have been unable to manoeuver the plane in an emergency against their superior strength.
Today Marjorie Stinson is the only woman of this period who keeps an active Department of Commerce license.
