Charlie is in the Smithsonian!

Last Friday, August 11, was a monumental day for aircraft maintenance professionals! Kenneth Mac Tiernan, an aircraft mechanic and director of the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA) organized a special unveiling at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Aerospace Center. Ken had led an effort to raise funds so that a bust of Charles Taylor, the first aircraft mechanic who designed and built the engine that powered the Wright brothers into history, could be presented to the Smithsonian museum. The bust was designed by Dayton artist Virginia Hess and has been placed in other prominent locations including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Charles Taylor Department of Aviation Maintenance Science and the San Diego Aerospace Museum. Aircraft maintenance professionals would now be represented in the Smithsonian! Artist Virginia Hess and AMTA director Ken MacTiernan It was a special gathering. It was a virtual who’s who in aviation. Many of the people I have been blessed to get to know over the years were in attendance. The honorable John Goglia, former NTSB member, gave a speech. He couldn’t help but get a little choked up as he talked about aircraft maintenance professionals and Charles Taylor. AMT columnist Bill O’Brien was in attendance. Richard Dilbeck, the FAA inspector who was instrumental in getting the first AMT Day resolution passed in California, also spoke at the event. The list goes on and on. Ric Peri (AEA), Robin Lamar (AWAM), Tom Hendershot (PAMA), Stan Mackiewicz (NATA), and O. V. Delle-Femine (AMFA). I can’t list everyone that was there, but let's just say it was a good crowd. Many of Taylor’s family members were there including Ruben Taylor Jr., grandson of Charles Taylor, Charles Taylor II (great-grandson of Taylor) and his son Charles Taylor III (great-great-grandson of Taylor). Three generations of Taylors: Ruben Taylor Jr., Charles Taylor III, and Charles Taylor II I was impressed with where the unveiling occurred. It was right in front of the space shuttle Enterprise. I couldn’t help but think how far aviation has come in a little over 100 years. From Charles Taylor and the Wright Flyer to today’s maintenance professionals maintaining high-tech vehicles like the space shuttle. From fabric to advanced composites. From a 120-foot first flight at Kitty Hawk to solo flight around the world (and then some). It was a great day!