|
Feb
28
2025
|
|
Posted yesterday ago by Admin
|
|
By Mark Tyler
It would be interesting to know how many of you have heard of or know someone who has been awarded The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award…or maybe have earned one yourself. The Federal Aviation Administration presents this award to honor a very elite group of aviation mechanics. To qualify for consideration requires at least 50 years of documented work experience in aviation maintenance, to hold an Airframe and Powerplant Certificate or Repairman Certificate in good standing and to demonstrate professionalism and dedication to aviation safety. The award is named for Charles Taylor who was the first aviation mechanic. He collaborated with the Wright brothers and played a pivotal role in developing the engine for their first powered flight.
It was my great pleasure recently to attend a ceremony for a friend and co-worker who was receiving 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 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. During his long career he 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.
Just think of all the sacrifices that are made in a life-long career of turning wrenches. There are the physical demands of long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. Over my career, I can remember many sunrises and sunsets and sometimes another sunrise spent in a field with my aircraft…some days it was in freezing winds and some days it was scorching sun. I’ve got stories of swarms of mosquitos and one of a raging bull who wanted me out of his pasture. Then there’s the physical demands of heavy lifting and working in confined spaces, accompanied by operational awareness and regulatory compliance, training and recurrent training always stressing the importance of never making a mistake. Finally last, but not least, there is the environmental exposure or possible hearing loss. Such is the life of an aviation maintenance professional.
For a man or woman to complete 50 years of exemplary service in this industry is no small accomplishment. As I was considering what was the motivation for the person who dedicates themselves to a long and successful career in the aviation industry, this quote came to mind: “The mission drives the effort.” That attitude is at the heart of most every helicopter and airplane mechanic. If I could add anything to this belief, I would add the word “safe” in front of the word “mission.” “The safe mission drives the effort.” The mission may be anything from surveillance, transport, rescue, Med Evac, firefighting, agriculture, mapping, law enforcement, training, etc. but in all missions maintaining safety is Goal One.
For those that are considering aircraft maintenance as a career, know that this is not a job. It is highly regulated, incredibly stressful and it can be with limited recognition. The satisfaction sometimes just comes from never quitting when hours of installing components or smoothing a rotor system run long. Sometimes it comes from troubleshooting a problem that no one can resolve, but through perseverance, you cracked the code. And sometimes it comes with returning an aircraft to service knowing that you followed the regulations, followed the maintenance manual, and protected your business all while delivering excellent service. When you see the aircraft break ground and fly over the tree line, you hear and feel in your soul… Well done, let’s go home.
The Wright Brothers were truly fortunate to have Charles Taylor to join them in accomplishing their dream of flight. Together they paved the way for so many of us who found a rewarding career in aviation. Today I’d like to acknowledge how fortunate we were to have Rick Minton in the industry for over 50 years. Well done, Rick!
What would you like to accomplish in the aviation industry? What will your company say about you at the end of your career?
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