AMT Day Celebrations

July 6, 2007

Embry-Riddle

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University celebrates AMT Day with cookout and industry advisory board meetings.

Along with the serious business of setting the course for the 21st century Aviation Maintenance Technician by the aviation industry, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students enjoyed a well-deserved barbecue luncheon celebrating their new career as aviation technicians. 

In addition to the cookout, AMS students participated in a student forum during the Industry Advisory meetings which provided them the opportunity to ask seasoned technicians about the industry and career they have chosen. The program was sponsored by the Charles Taylor Department of Aviation Maintenance Science at Embry-Riddle and presented by Fred Mirgle, department chair of AMS.  

Baker’s School of Aeronautics

Baker’s had approximately 125 people attend their AMT Day celebration, where they were served hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, and the Grill Master’s specialty, grilled barbecue bologna (the true red neck’s steak). The crowd was entertained with blue grass music, enjoyed wonderful weather, and more than 40 door prizes were given out. Baker’s also gave out AMT Day t-shirts featuring Charles E. Taylor’s picture to all participants. AMTs came from all around the Nashville area, including Stevens Aviation, Flight Express, Gaylord Enterprises, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technology Center, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and many out of state students currently attending Baker’s School of Aeronautics. Overall, we had a really nice celebration!

Landmark Aviation

Employees at Landmark Aviation’s Houston facility celebrated AMT Day by enjoying good food and a good time. Literature on AMTSociety and other trade associations was handed out, and door prizes were awarded.

Continental Airlines

IAH had an ice cream social attended by 324 IAH line mechanics. Day, swing, and graveyard shifts all enjoyed the company supporting AMT Day.

Frontier Airlines

A total of 387 employees at the Denver facility enjoyed a barbecue consisting of hamburgers, hot dogs, and desert. Additionally, every Frontier flight crew made the announcement along with the safety bulletin that it was the birthday of Charles E. Taylor, the man who made the engine for the Wright Brothers Glider.

Las Vegas (LAS)

Forty-three mechanics from the LAS area assembled for a barbecue. A good turnout and lots of friendship were shared.

Banyan

“AMT Day is an important day at Banyan. Not only is it the day that Banyan pays tribute to Charles E. Taylor, the mechanic who built Orville and Wilbur Wright’s engine, but it is also the day that Banyan recognizes and honors the contributions and achievements of our own avionics and maintenance technicians,” stated Don Campion, president of Banyan during the company’s second annual AMT Day celebration. Dave Valenta, Banyan’s director of maintenance, organized the celebration; including a catered lunch and speakers.

Banyan’s celebration in Fort Lauderdale, FL, included recognizing the technicians who will receive FAA AMT awards. A total of 38 award winners were announced. In addition to the individual awards, Banyan will also receive two FAA Diamond Excellence Awards for having 100 percent training participation in both the avionics and maintenance departments.

American Airlines

American Airlines had AMT Day celebrations at its maintenance and engineering overhaul base in Kansas City, MO, on May 24. Hundreds of AA employees, guests, and dignitaries gathered for food and festivities. AMTSociety executive director Tom Hendershot was on hand, as well as AMTSociety board members Joe Escobar and Ken MacTiernan. A bust of Charles Taylor, presented by AA employee and AMTA director Ken MacTiernan, was unveiled along with a Wall of Honor that AA employees made. Six AA employees were presented with the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic awards and were the first to be placed on the Wall of Honor. They were Donald E. Smith (Birdseed), David R. Hammond, Jack I. Morris, Paul A. Stuber, Ralph E. Vossler, and James C. Steinbrink.

New corporate member

AMTSociety announces its newest corporate member — ATR Line Maintenance Services. AMTSociety executive director Tom Hendershot visited ATR’s Kansas City office on May 24 to present an AMTSociety Corporate Member plaque. On hand to accept the plaque was Bill Wagner, ATR vice president of line maintenance.

For more AMTSociety news, or for more information about AMTSociety, visit www.AMTSociety.org.