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    July 13, 2005
    AMT magazine would like to announce a call for papers to spotlight winners of the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

    We need your help! AMT magazine would like to announce a call for papers to spotlight winners of the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

    AMT has written articles about the FAA's Charles Taylor Award in the past. Now we want to honor Charles Taylor Award recipients for the many contributions they have made to safety, technological advances, and professionalism in the aircraft maintenance industry by featuring a different Charles Taylor Master Mechanic story each month in the pages of AMT.

    If you know someone who is a Charles Taylor Award recipient and should be featured in the pages of AMT, contact us. Don't let these stories go untold! Send your suggestion and contact information to:

    AMT Magazine
    1233 Janesville Ave.
    Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
    Or e-mail to .

    * * *

    And on that subject, AMTSociety is now honoring these heroes with an Honorary Membership to AMTSociety. Any Charles Taylor Award recipient that calls and requests a membership will be given a free AMTSociety membership for the asking.

    * * *

    Congratulations Tom Hendershot of Frontier Airlines for his recent receipt of the Charles Taylor Award. We reprint the following letter received by Tom, from the actual grandson of Charles Taylor, in honor of all Charles Taylor recipients.

    Reuben W. Taylor, Jr.
    699 Revere Road
    Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
    May 31, 2005

    Thomas Hendershot
    Chief of Maintenance
    Frontier Airlines, Inc.
    7001 Tower Road
    Denver, CO 80249

    Subject: Going First Class with Tom Hendershot

    Dear Tom:

    May 24, 2005 was one monumental day! You, Tom Hendershot, were placed on a well-deserved pedestal to accept the Charles Taylor Award for excellence in airplane maintenance for over 50 years service. Imagine, over 50 years making sure airplanes are safe for passengers to fly! That's a long time to be such a conscientious and careful tender of airplanes.

    If my Grandpa Charles Taylor were living today, I am sure he would remove the cigar from his mouth, smile broadly, and shake your hand very, very hard. As the builder of the first airplane engine for the Wright brothers in Dayton in 1903, Grandpa would want to visit your maintenance operation, watch the workers, and inspect an engine. Such an improved engine from his! After all, he worked at a startup operation and on a tight budget, so he incorporated handy bicycle sprockets, chains, and an old tomato can in his engine construction!

    If Grandpa were here today, he would reminisce about his maintenance job with the first cross country flight of Cal Rodgers, a daredevil who could fly all right, but not take off or land! Like you, Tom, Grandpa was a workaholic to whom time meant nothing when there was a job to do.

    Tom, your list of accomplishments takes up pages on the Internet, and bespeaks of a highly capable, extremely successful and well-deserving star in the aviation maintenance community. The long list of attendees at your award ceremony tells the high esteem you are held in by your co-workers and employees, the top management of Frontier Airlines, other associated U.S. Government agencies, suppliers, and personal friends.

    The Taylor family is very proud of you. Emily and I were honored to attend the event, and want to express our deep appreciation for the hospitality and generosity of the Frontier employees. We praise the many capable workers who are carrying on in the footsteps of the Wright brothers and their mechanic Charles Taylor.

    In conclusion, you are first class in your performance and treat everyone in a first class manner. May you continue "going first class" in all your endeavors.

    With personal greetings to all,

    Reuben

    Reuben Taylor, Jr.
    Grandson of Charles Edward Taylor, Wright Brother Mechanic