Winston-Salem, NC, USA, August 23, 2016 – Mr. Charles M. Childress was awarded the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award by the Federal Aviation Administration in a ceremony on August 12th.
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. The Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.
Mr. Childress’s extraordinary career spans 50 years, starting with service in the United States Air Force. Since January 1970, he has been a dedicated team member with Piedmont Propulsion Systems, LLC and predecessor firms in Winston-Salem, NC. Mr. Childress performed maintenance on Dowty, Hamilton Sundstrand, Hartzell and McCauley propellers as a technician, crew chief, quality inspector and manager.
Sammy Oakley, General Manager of PPS said of Mr. Childress: “he has been an integral part of the success of Piedmont Propulsion Systems and is his leadership has resulted in the training of generations of mechanics. We are truly proud that Charles is part of our organization.” The Ceremony was held at Piedmont Propulsion Systems’ headquarters facility that is also named in Mr. Childress’s honor.
