Alexandria, VA -- The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) will lead an industry effort to create a permanent and national day of recognition for Charles E. Taylor, builder of the engine that carried the Wright Flyer on the first controlled powered flight more than a hundred years ago. This will bring much deserved honor to Mr. Taylor and to the professional women and men that walk in his shoes every day on flight lines and in hangars across the country and around the world.
The dawn of our second century of powered flight must bring new understanding and respect for the aviation maintenance professional. The vital role of these certificated and experienced airworthiness experts must be constantly communicated and recognized. To do this, it is essential that the flying public and our industry comprehend and recognize the role maintenance professionals play in balancing the aviation safety equation.
Each year on December 17, the anniversary of the first powered flight in 1903, we recognize the historic efforts of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the first pilots. On that day we remember the many heroes that came after them and flew their machines into harm's way and into transportation history with the advent of transcontinental, transoceanic, and space flight. The accomplishments of past and future aviation pioneers must always be recognized. Now we must all join together to make May 24, Charles E. Taylor's birthday, National Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Day.
"Among those on the inside, Charles E. Taylor has long been known as the 'unsung hero' of the Wright's successful first flight effort," says PAMA president Brian Finnegan. "Today's maintenance professional is the unsung hero of modern aviation -- one of the most robust industries in the world."
"PAMA has been working with many people to help make National AMT Day succeed. More than 30 states have created their own state AMT Day, largely because of the efforts of Richard 'Dilly' Dilbeck, FAA Safety Program Manager at the Federal Aviation Administration's Sacramento Flight Standards District Office. "We have worked very hard and, while we do have a number of co-sponsoring congressmen already, we need many more to achieve our goal," says John Goglia, PAMA senior vice president of government and technical programs and former NTSB member. "Please take a few minutes to help us bring Charlie and all aviation mechanics their long overdue recognition."
PAMA requests you email to your representatives in Congress specifically requesting their support for House Resolution 586 (108th Congress) declaring May 24 National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day. Aviation maintenance professionals humbly ask for the support of the entire aviation community in achieving the national recognition that rightfully belongs to Charlie Taylor and all of those that call him the Father of Aviation Maintenance. For more information, visit www.pama.org.PAMA is the national association dedicated to enhancing professionalism and recognition of the Aviation Maintenance Technician through communication, education, representation and support -- for continuous improvement in aviation safety. For more information about PAMA, visit www.pama.org or contact national headquarters at 866-865-PAMA.To find contact information for your U.S. representatives, you can go to www.house.gov. A current map of the status of AMT Day in each state can be found at www.AMTonline.com.
