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Birth:          8 Apr 1914 Phoenix, Ariz.
Death:          29 Dec 2002 Phoenix, Ariz.

Notes
1920 in Phoenix, Ariz.
1930 in Phoenix, Ariz.
ssn 527 03 1163 issued in Ariz before 1951
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
January 2, 2003 Thursday Final chaser Edition

SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 8B

Charlie Hirst

Charlie Hirst made his last earthly flight, December 29, 2002. As the wind picked up 
Sunday afternoon, the sky filled mystically with dark ominous clouds. As Charlie was 
boarding for the journey and checking his flight plan, a due west heading was set for 
him. Miraculously the western sky opened with a spectacular sunset befitting the 
occasion. And Charlie went home with God as his co-pilot. Within a few minutes a 
rainbow sparkled over Central Phoenix signaling the journeys success. 

Charlie, age 88, was born Charles Lewis Hirst on April 8, 1914 in Phoenix, AZ. A true 
native Arizonan is part of his legacy. Only flying and his family equaled his passion for 
Arizona. In his illustrious 88 years, half of that time was spent in the air, logging over 
20,000 hours of flight. His first flight was in August 1935 in a classic puddle-jumper. 
Only 18 horse power, but it lifted him toward the sky. His love of flight took him crop 
dusting, barnstorming and as an instructor. Before WWII, he moved to California to 
join Lockheed Aircraft as a test pilot. He was one of the first pilots to fly the B-17 and 
he was a charter member of the P-38 Club. He was also one of the first to fly military 
jets produced in the U.S. But, it was the jet fighter, the P-80 with its unpressurized 
cabins that ended his career as a test pilot.

In 1946, Charlie returned to Arizona flying for Arizona Fertilizer Co. As crop dusting 
assignments throughout the western and northern states arose, Charles was always 
there. In 1952, Charlie joined Goodyear Aircraft in Litchfield Park. Military aircraft was 
being converted for civilian use and Charlie learned new skills leading him to the skill 
of "mapping". Charlie joined ADOT in 1962. Converting from military aircraft to 
Cessna's required masterful skills. During this tenure with the State of Arizona, almost 
every square mile of our state was mapped and upon retirement in 1979, Charlie was 
recognized for his skills and safety record.

Tora! Tora! Tora! was 20th Century Fox's big hit in 1969. From Lockheed records, they 
found Charlie. He was sent to Hawaii for six weeks to fly the B-17 once again. He 
pulled the B-17 abruptly into the air when an enemy bomb landed on the runway on 
which it had just touched down. Charlie did the scene 8 times until the director was 
sure the cameras were in the right place.

Charlie was a true sky pioneer, known for his pipe smoking, quiet man approach to 
life. Only after asking a question, would the flood gates open with stories filled with 
passion. His passion ran wide from the skies of Arizona to prospecting and fishing our 
state. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred of 49 years. His surviving children, 
daughter, Charlene "Charlie" Brown and son, Paul with daughter-in-law, Lynnette and 
stepson, John M. Wells will continue his legacy. Charlie's greatest joys came with his 
4 granddaughters, Julie HutselI and Teresa Mattes from California and Nikki and 
Shana Hirst from Phoenix. His "grandgirls" were his passion in his later years and 
Charlie will always be remembered for the wisdom he instilled in them. As a founding 
member of QB's, Charlie touched the lives of many fellow pilots. Friendships of 50+ 
years will remember Charlie's courage, strength and quiet man approach to the 
industry they all love. To all the Quiet Birdmen, you can rest assured the skies are 
safe. The angels have the best navigator who ever lived on earth, now in heaven. 
Services will be Saturday at 1PM, Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th St., Phoenix.

GRAPHIC: Charlie Hirst
Omer/Steer/Callahan/Calvert Tree on ancestry

Parents
HIRST Lewis Ira (10 Nov 1890 - 28 Jan 1962)
BROWN Bernice A. (23 Jun 1890 - Mar 1969)

Siblings
HIRST Charles Lewis (8 Apr 1914 - 29 Dec 2002)

Marriage To HILL Mildred (22 Mar 1922 - 26 Sep 1999)
    m.  

Notes


Children by HILL Mildred 22 Mar 1922 - 26 Sep 1999
HIRST Charlene ()
HIRST Paul McLean ()

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