ONE OF OUR GREAT GUYS HAS PASSED. AVE ATQUE, VALE

After a speaking date at last Saturday's CAP California Wing conference, I dropped into Santa Paula only to find the kids packing up the office on Screaming Eagles' last day in business. What a shock. Since the end of BE A PILOT last fall, I've been somewhat off-line, hadn't heard. But Doug and Screaming Eagle were known and admired nationally, even out East! GA won't be the same without them.

Here is a picture of Doug, and his son, who flew this Beautiful Super Decathlon up the Oregon coast (two days) together in year 2003. Doug took the time to provide me with a beautiful photo album of the journey as a compliment to the purchase.

Doug mentioned over, and again, what an enjoyable a memorable trip it was, stopping off with his son to enjoy sights and adventures. I hope that Doug received, in return, at least little of what he has, evidently, given to many others.

I just, today, Sept 30, 2006, learned of Doug's passing. I am deply saddened, in shock and denial.

Robert Harris

I had just spoken to Doug about coming up to Paso for our Fly-in and he was excited about coming the next day. That was the day he left us.
The next day Bruce Dickinson took me aside to give me the bad news. Shocked isnt a big enough word.
Our hold on life just shouldnt be that fragile.
I only knew him from a distance but I considered him a friend. A guy I could just call up to chat or solve a problem about selling an airplane, whatever. He always took the time.
Genuine, I guess is a good word.
For those of us lucky enough to spend every day at an airport, I can say, and I know Doug would say it too.....
"I've never had a ho-hum day in aviation".
The picture is a gathering a few years ago of the Angeles Antiquers and others at our hangar. Doug was there though not in the picture. Maybe some of you can see yourselves there and remember.
God Bless you Doug. You touched many lives in your too short time here.
As our dear old departed friend and aviator Channing Clark would say.....
"So long and...Maintain airpseed"

Dear Screaming Eagle Friends and Clients,

With hearts both full of gratitude and still heavy with the loss of our beloved Doug Dullenkopf, we take time to acknowledge the end of an era. As we approach Screaming Eagle’s thirtieth anniversary, we regretfully announce the decision to close the business. Doug's love of people and aviation continues to live on. This letter is but one of the touchstones of his enduring spirit and the warmth of his character.

Doug always thought of his customers as friends, first, last and foremost. He loved flying, talking airplanes and took great pleasure in finding the right airplane to fit his customers. Many of you came back again and again when it was time to add a new winged steed to the stable. Few things made Doug as happy as that.

So many of you thought of Screaming Eagle as far more than just a place to shop for an airplane, though Doug worked hard and long to make the company one of the premier places in America to buy a top-quality airplane. When you walked into his warm and friendly office with all the eagle antiques, photos and memorabilia, Doug's face would light up. "How are ya?" he'd say, sticking out his hand, then inviting you to sit on the sofa for a chat, as if you were the one person he’d been looking forward to talking to all day long.

Doug always found the time to swap jokes, stories and the latest aviation news, because it was an important part of his life. He loved people, enjoyed their company immensely, and thought of the Santa Paula community as his extended family. One of his favorite stories was of the late actor Steve McQueen, an avid flier and motorcycle rider. He’d reenact how McQueen would be walking by, see Doug, then wheel around and pretend to draw six guns. He also had the distinction of perhaps being the only person to ever street race with McQueen – in a VW! The actor wanted to see if his 1980 diesel model was faster than Doug’s so out they went to tear up the highway. No word on who won, but you can bet Doug was grinning the whole time and telling the story for years after.

McQueen, Gene Hackman, Cliff Robertson and other pilot/celebrities were only a few of the many people who thought of Screaming Eagle as a favorite place to hang out and of Doug as a fun and sincere friend who could also be counted on in a crunch. A pilot once came by, complaining about having to endure the drudgery of an airline flight for a short trip home. After jawing with Doug for awhile, he decided, then and there, to buy a Cessna 210 and fly himself home instead! Hanging around Doug made adventures like that seem almost routine, or at least worthy of consideration. The only problem this time was the customer didn't have his checkbook with him. "No problem," said Doug without batting an eye. "Just send me a check when you get home.” Doug trusted people, and they in turn rewarded him with their business and friendship. Relationships mattered even more than business.

On October 29th of last year Doug left this earthbound world, leaving a void for those of us who remain. In November, a website, www.dougdullenkopf.com, was created to give one an opportunity to pay tribute or share fond memories. Please feel free to visit and leave your own comments if you wish.

Doug loved all of you and welcomed you through the door and in turn you helped him be the success in business that he always was in life. The Screaming Eagle staff and Dullenkopf family want each and every one of you to know we are grateful for all the years of your faithful patronage. In gratitude, and in loving memory of Doug, we thank you.

We will miss you,

The Screaming Eagle Staff & Dullenkopf Family

LOVE YOU DOUGIE!

One happy dude, in his element.

this engine only lets me download one at a time so here they are.

It's hard to believe almost a year has passed, and that Doug continues to live in residence in such a large part of my heart and memory. There are few days that go by without thought of his great inviting smile, warm welcome, bawdy jokes and genuine interest in whatever was happening in my life.

When I was going through a major change back in 1995, he took me in, gave me some good creative work, sold my kit airplane to keep me afloat, and even put me up at his house when I was between places to live. How many friends will do that for you?

He is one of the few people I have met in this life who gave more than they expected to get, as a routine expression of his big heart and immense spirit. He remains a brilliant diamond of example to me of the best humanity has to offer. I still miss him terribly at times; he was one of the best friends I ever hope to have in this lifetime.

On my daughter's 21st birthday, he helped me surprise her with a flight up to Santa Barbara, for a day on the town. He refused to even let me pay for the gas!

My love and affection to Gail and the "kids", who aren't kids any more, and to everyone on the staff and all the great people at Santa Paula I met, only because of Doug.

And I can't fail to mention all the great shoots Doug and I had together, in my photographic work for Plane & Pilot and Pilot Journal magazines, which I'm still doing to this day. Doug never failed to heap on the praise, whether I deserved it or not. I felt truly seen, embraced, appreciated, and honored by his support. He was just that kind of guy. An angel sent down to show the rest of us how to live, every day, with decency, kindness, respect, and trust.

What a guy. I can't wait to join him upstairs for that next really long flight.

I'll always love you Doug.

We were in Washington DC two weeks ago and I stopped by the Air & Space Museum. Doug was very much on my mind as I stared into the open door of the Spirit of St Louis airplane. Lindbergh was a childhood hero of Doug's and I felt like Doug was looking over my shoulder and nodding his head with approval that I had come by "his" museum for a visit. I felt better as I walked out of the building knowing that Doug's spirit lives on in all of us.