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FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE
CHARLES L. FAY
Early Thomas Brothers Pilot - Instructor
Charles L. Fay was born at Athol, Massachusetts November 22, 1891. he attended local schools and during the 1911-1913 period became interested in flying. As a result he joined the winter class at the Thomas Brothers Flying School at Bath, New York, November 1913, along with William Stewart, Bud Cory, C. Fanet, and George McNamara. Frank Burnside was their instructor and Fay soon displayed an exceptional ability as a student, and made his first solo flight on December 25.
By January he was flying well, making consistently good landings. He continued his practice and by early spring was doing test flying for the Thomas Brothers Company. In mid-April 1941 Fay was conducting the flight tests of the new Thomas Monoplane with 60-70 hp Maximotor engine from the ice of local Lake Salubria.
At that time he was an ardent golf fan and upon receiving an invitation from the Elmira, New York, country Club to play he decided to fly there to accept their hospitality. Accordingly in early May he flew to Elmira, landed on the golf links, played an afternoon game, then flew back to Bath the next morning.
His flying for Thomas Brother Company continued that season, at times instructing, doing demonstration work with both land water planes, and on 
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