[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 71 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING CHARLES P. ``CHUCK'' DOYLE ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______


                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 1996

  Mr. COX of California. Mr. Speaker, 80 years ago, on May 26, 1916, 
barnstorming daredevil Charles P. ``Chuck'' Doyle was born in 
Minneapolis, MN. Eighty years later, Chuck is still creating aviation 
history.
  He bought his first airplane while still a Washburn High School 
student. It was an OX-5 powered Travel Air biplane. With this--and his 
motorcycle--he started on his path as an unofficial daredevil and 
official aviation pioneer.
  In 1935, Chuck Doyle made his first parachute jump as part of the 
Thrill Day Air Show at the Minnesota State Fair. Two years later, he 
began performing regularly at shows and fairs around the country. 
Whether on wings or wheels, he loved to excite his audiences. He ramp-
jumped his Harley over lines of cars, magically survived carefully 
planned head-on auto collisions and boardwall crashes, piloted his 
motorcycle through tunnels of flame--and memorably, during a thrill 
show in Mississippi in 1937, even crashed a plane into a clapboard 
house.
  He worked as a civilian pilot for Northwest Airlines during the 
Second World War--honoring their requirement that he quit the thrill 
shows, even in his spare time. It was during this time, however, that 
Chuck first began skywriting and towing aerial banners--a pursuit he 
maintained until recently.
  The great airplanes that the U.S. military retired after World War II 
provided Chuck Doyle with a new opportunity: acquiring surplus warbird 
aircraft, refurbishing and restoring them, displaying them in museums, 
and even giving them a new life in the air. Three of his masterpieces 
have been placed on display in the U.S. Air Force Museum at Dayton, OH.
  His talent for restoration was never more in evidence than when he 
reconstructed a replica of the vintage Curtis Pusher--one of the 
earliest American planes, originally designed and built in 1910. 
Chuck's handiwork wasn't just historically authentic and interesting to 
look at. In 1985, he took his exact replica of this 75-year-old vintage 
aircraft to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where the 
authorities agreed to close down one of the main runways for his 
exclusive use. He then proceeded successfully to pilot the only truly 
authentic Curtis Pusher replica ever to fly. The plane now hangs on 
exhibit in the main terminal of that airport.
  Most mortals can only marvel at the way Chuck Doyle so often 
succeeded in his relentless pursuit of the nearly impossible. But even 
Chuck couldn't beat city hall, when it came to preserving his cherished 
private airstrip. Still, his much-publicized--if ultimately losing--
battle with the city of Apple Valley, MN, extended his record of 
providing thrills and excitement, this time for the newspaper-reading 
public.
  As a lifelong member of dozens of aviation organizations, Chuck Doyle 
has contributed in thousands of ways to the progress of the era of 
manned flight. In 1992, his lifetime of contributions was in turn 
recognized by his peers, by historians, and by civic leaders when he 
was inducted to the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. There, he shares 
the company of a pantheon of internationally famous aviators, among 
whom are two other well-known ``Charleses'': Charles ``Speed'' Holman--
for whom Holman Field is named--and Charles Lindbergh.
  His son, Charles Jr., also known as ``Chuck,'' is an airline pilot 
and aircraft owner who is carrying on the family tradition.
  It is no easy feat to attempt to summarize 80 years of Charles 
senior's life. But it is easy to observe one characteristic of 
overriding significance. More than a crazy daredevil stunt man who 
survived it all, more than a distinguished airline pilot and 
professional aviator who has logged over 30,000 hours in the air, 
entirely accident free--more than an air historian, aviation pioneer, 
and dedicated father--Chuck Doyle is a great American. His boundless 
spirit and courageous example remind us of the quintessential character 
of our country, and of what Thomas Jefferson must surely have had in 
mind when he described our national dedication to the pursuit of 
happiness. Chuck has given thousands of Americans happiness during a 
distinguished and exciting career. As he celebrates his 80th birthday, 
Mr. Speaker, I know that all of the Members of this Congress join in 
wishing him every happiness in return.

                          ____________________