On May 24, the birthday of Charles E. Taylor, the Wright Brothers first mechanic who sometimes is referred to as the “Father of Aircraft Maintenance,” we will once again celebrate Aircraft Maintenance Technician or AMT Day. Do you remember why you decided to choose aviation as a career? Were you influenced by certain people as you were growing up? Did you hang around at your local airport? Perhaps a relative worked in aviation or you attended airshows?
For me I always had an interest in airplanes and my father operated a small service station with a one-stall garage. Given my early interest in all things mechanical and in aviation, it seemed only natural I would go to school and obtain my A&P. I always knew I would spend my life involved in aviation. Granted I am not a full-time aircraft mechanic today, yet I still remain fully immersed in aviation and aircraft maintenance. Becoming an aircraft mechanic is how my aviation career began decades ago.
There are people today who will very directly say there is nothing to celebrate, and point out that the challenges facing today’s AMT. Yet despite these challenges there are people still drawn to aviation and I feel we need to encourage that interest. We’d like to hear your story.
If your organization is celebrating AMT Day let the staff of AMT magazine know by sending us photos of your celebration.
Happy AMT Day, Ron
