Today is recognized in this country as National AMT Day.
May 24, 1868, 150 years ago, Charles Taylor, the Wright Brothers mechanic, was born. Now called the father of aircraft maintenance, we continue to celebrate this day every year.
Taylor was a machinist working at the Dayton Electric Company when he was offered a job at the Wright’s bicycle shop in 1901. And as they say, the rest is history.
I encourage you to read the story in the Feature section of this newsletter titled, Charles E. Taylor: My Story. We ran this story a few years ago and wanted to publish it again today. The article was written in 1948 while Taylor was living in retirement in California. It was first published in Collier's on Dec. 25, 1948, and was reprinted in Air Line Pilot, December 1978. Taylor died Jan. 30, 1956, at the age of 88. In 2008, a congressional resolution dedicated the date in honor of Taylor, establishing National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.
Around the country, maintenance organizations will be holding celebrations, picnics and parties to celebrate our chosen career path. How will you celebrate? Some of you may not celebrate. Others can’t because they are diligently working to keep aircraft flying safely.
You’ve heard me and other people in our industry mention or write about the necessity to do our part and promote aircraft maintenance as a career to the next generation. Talk with colleagues and friends about why you became a technician. Visit with students at a high school career fair and invite local students to tour your FBO, flight department, repair station, or maintenance organization.
As you celebrate AMT Day also consider recommending someone who stands out in the industry. Our Next Gen Awards 40 Under 40 program is a way to do that. To learn more follow this link.
Support our industry with any number of outreach activities. Charlie would have liked this.
Proud to be an A&P, Ron
