|
Jan
23
2025
|
|
Posted 7 days ago ago by Admin
|
|
If we’ve ever met in person my accent will probably make it evident that I grew up in the deep south. Most families in my hometown worked either in the cotton mill, paper mill or the marble quarry. My family was cotton mill people, so I became a cotton mill person at the age of sixteen. Looking back on it, I am incredibly grateful for that experience. People that worked in the cotton mill and, I’m sure, the other industries, developed a strong work ethic and a deep respect for one another. One of things I noticed as a young man working in the mill was that when someone retired after forty or fifty years of working, they received a special gift to commemorate the day. For the men that retired that gift was almost always a fishing rod and reel. After witnessing this many times, I though…is this what I have to look forward to, working fifty years and getting a Zebco? I have come to realize that a rod and reel would be the perfect gift and hopefully one day I will get mine.
What I really want to share with you all is that I recently attended a ceremony for a friend and co-worker who was being awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. It was quite a spectacle, with guests from the FAA, corporate, co-workers, former co-workers, friends, and family. The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is a prestigious recognition granted by the Federal Aviation Administration to honor aviation mechanics. It is named after Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic, who collaborated with the Wright brothers and played a pivotal role in developing the engine for their first powered flight. It’s really a big deal to receive this award because the recipient must have at least 50 years of documented experience in aviation maintenance, hold an Airframe and Powerplant Certificate or Repairman Certificate in good standing and demonstrate professionalism and dedication to aviation safety.
The FAA presenter that day spoke extensively about my friend’s long and successful career and how he must have had hundreds or even thousands of logbook sign offs and return to service entries. It made me realize just how profound an impact my friend had on the aviation industry. He has played a critical role in so many completed missions and he was at least partially responsible for the safety of everyone involved in those missions. What may seem to be insignificant at the time can become life-changing if not done correctly.
The Charles Taylor Award was a way to honor my friend, Rick, for a selfless career of serving others all while following the rules and regulations. When Rick received the Charles Taylor Award, we didn’t give him a fishing rod and reel but instead we gave him a model of his favorite airplane, the Constellation, (Connie) that he maintained while in the United States Air Force. Our hope is that Rick will look at the model sitting on his bookcase and remember special times from his early life as an aircraft mechanic. But of course, the real gift in all of this is Rick Minton, Master Mechanic, Charles Taylor Award recipient and friend. Hey Rick, if you’re not too busy today, do you want to go fishing?
READ MORE ROTOR PRO: https://justhelicopters.com/Magazine
WATCH ROTOR PRO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://buff.ly/3Md0T3y
You can also find us on
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rotorpro1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rotorpro1
Twitter - https://twitter.com/justhelicopters
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rotorpro1