National AMT Day

May 24^th is nationally recognized as a day to celebrate the profession of aircraft maintenance and the dedicated men and women who safely maintain this nation’s diverse fleet of aircraft. This day is the birthday of Charles E. Taylor “The Father of Aircraft Maintenance”. Each year, many AMTs, A&Ps, aircraft mechanics, repairmen, and maintainers celebrate in their own way.  

Are you planning a celebration, picnic, or gathering to celebrate AMT Day? I’ve received a couple invitations. If so, let us know and send a few photos. If you will not be participating in any celebration, take a few moments to thank Charles, OK and Wilbur and Orville, along with the people who worked hard to make this day and our profession recognized.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is given to mechanics having worked for 50 years in the aircraft maintenance profession. If you know someone who fits the criteria, honor him or her by submitting an application for them. Visit the FAASTeam website at http://www.faasafety.gov and select the Maintenance Hangar tab.

The candidate must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" award: 

• Citizenship:  Be a U.S. citizen
• Employment:  Worked for a period of 50 years in an aviation maintenance career. (The 50 years may be computed consecutively or non-consecutively)
  • The applicant must have been an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman working on N-registered aircraft maintained under the Federal aviation regulations for a minimum of 30 of the 50 years required.
  • The remaining 20 years may be accepted if that individual served as an aircraft mechanic/repairman in the U.S. military; or worked as an uncertificated person in a U.S. aviation maintenance facility that maintained U.S.-registered aircraft, either domestic or overseas; or worked as an uncertificated person in the aircraft manufacturing industry in the United States, producing U.S. type-certificated or U.S. military aircraft.

And if you have received the award, please let us know so we can let our readers know.