FAA Wichita FSDO Aviation Safety Inspector Rick Stevens presented Bob Hays with the Charles Taylor and Wright Brothers awards at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center on Nov. 21, 2023

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award awarded by the FAA recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience.

The Wright Brothers award is to recognize individuals who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of piloting experience or 50 or more years combined experience in both piloting and aircraft operations.

​“When I took that first flight lesson in 1967, I had no idea it would lead to nearly 60 years of being hooked on aviation and flying,” Bob said. “I’ve been blessed to have a career that has allowed me to work with so many people in an ever-changing and evolving industry that has helped to connect people and make air travel safe for so many people. I am humbled to receive these honors and recognition from the FAA, and I look forward to continuing to volunteer and work with my fellow B-29 Doc maintainers to keep Doc flying for generations to come.”

James “Jim” Nunnelee was recently surprised by members of the Experimental Aviation Association at the Carson City Airport when representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration presented him with two significant awards that recognize over 50 years of aviation prowess.

Nunnelee received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award on March 20.  Eligibility for both awards are for pilots and senior aviation mechanics who have at least 50 years of experience in being a pilot and operation; and in aviation maintenance industry, for the Master Mechanic Award, 30 of these years must have been served as an FAA-certified mechanic or repairman.

Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team Program Manager Larry Cheek said that in all his years of presenting the awards only a handful have received both. Only 3,470 people have received the Master Mechanic Award and 8,410 Wright Brothers Mater Pilot awards.

Nunnelee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, began his aviation experience earning his student pilot certificate in April 1958. In November of the same year he earned his A&P Mechanic Certificate. Three years later he received his Private Pilot Certificate and in 1978 enhanced his aviation mechanics resume with his Inspection Authorization Certificate.

He earned his degree in aircraft maintenance technology and also as an instructor in the aviation department for Glendale Community College in Southern California. Throughout his career, he was with Boeing, Western A/L, Lockheed and Aerojet.

Retiring to Carson Valley in the 1980s, Nunnelee immediately turned his passion for aviation into giving back and helping youth to discover the career opportunities available in the aviation field..

John "Corky" Gill served several years in military and aviation field. Today, he was honored with the FAA's Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. Highly regarded as their most prestigious award, the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award awarded by the FAA recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience.

People flooded the Harris Hill Youth Camp reception hall to help honor Corky and celebrate him and his achievements. Many of those people were members of the Harris Hill Soaring community where Corky has spent a lot of his time. He mentioned he recorded having over 8,300 flights in the glider.

An attendee at the event even referred to Corky as "the grandfather of Harris Hill."

In addition to honoring Corky with the award, a surprise was organized on his behalf.

"I was very happy to see that and, not just one Thunderbird, but a few, several of them there," said Corky, the award recipient. "That made me real happy because the Thunderbirds was a big three and a half years of my career in the Air Force and I'll never forget that."

The Federal Aviation Administration presented Dickey Robertson with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award at the Pine Bluff Regional Airport/Grider Field on June 21, 2024.

FAA official Jamie Black presented the award to Robertson for 50 years of 'impeccable installing and troubleshooting aircraft avionics.'

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award awarded by the FAA recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience.

On June 4, Clifford G. Johnson was presented with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for 50 years of ‘Dedicated Technical Aircraft Maintenance Service and Safety’ by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Airlines Tech Ops Department at LaGuardia Airport.

At the presentation of his Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and the celebration of Clifford’s exceptional 50 years in the aviation industry, more than 100 guests of family, friends, co-workers, and distinguished leaders at American Airlines were present.
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“Married to my high school sweetheart, Jean,..blessed with three daughters and a son.. the grandfather of eight and two great-grands; 50 years married and 50 years in the aviation industry has awarded me a good life! I will be retiring from American Airlines at LaGuardia on September 30, 2024,” said Clifford Johnson.

In May 2024, Anthony Imparato received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience. 

Upon receiving the Charles Taylor Award, Imparato said, “It’s a great honor to receive such a prestigious award and be part of the only 30,000 recipients in the world to wind this award since its beginning. As I look back at my career, I am blessed to have met many talented people who played a huge role in my development. Also, the support from my family was always with me. I’m thankful to all of them.”

Leo Sawatzki, retired Manager of Engine Acquisition and Sales and a long-time aircraft technician with Duncan Aviation, was honored as a recipient of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. Sawatzki has enjoyed a 50-year career in aviation, 32 of those years dedicated to serving at Duncan Aviation. He began his aviation career after graduating from Westside High School in Omaha, Neb., and joined the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
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In 1973, Sawatzki stepped off the Navy ship USS Constellation and signed on as a jet engine mechanic with Duncan Aviation in Lincoln. At that time, there were nine mechanics in the entire company. All nine did airframe work, engine work, and even painted the aircraft. They worked on Learjets, Citations, King Airs, Barons, and Bonanzas. Read more here. 

On April 11, 2024 it was announced that Paul Heinze Wikander was designated a recipient of both the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is the most prestigious award the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61. This award, named after the Wright Brothers, is to recognize individuals who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of piloting experience or 50 or more years combined experience in both piloting and aircraft operations.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award awarded by the FAA recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience.  The award presentation is scheduled for August 2024 in Sebastian, Florida.

Mr. Wikander had a love of aviation from a very young age.  Inspired by his Army aircraft mechanic and inspector father, Paul joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1953 at the age of 13.  At age 16, he made his first solo flight.  Paul then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1958, earned his Air Crewman Wings in 1961, and continued to serve until his honorable discharge in 1963.

Mr. Wikander started flying in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands around 1967.  In 1970, Paul and his beloved wife Margaret started a commuter airline in 1970 called Virgin Air, which later became known as Air St. Thomas. The airline provided daily scheduled air transportation as well as mail and newspaper service to St. Barthélemy. Air St. Thomas was the only US carrier providing scheduled air service to the island. Paul and Margaret operated the airline for almost 35 years until they retired in 2005.
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Over his career, Mr. Wikander amassed over 28,000 flying hours, most of which was flying in and around St. Thomas, St. Barths and throughout the Caribbean.  Paul lived in the US Virgin Islands for 63 years dedicating himself to the island of St. Thomas and the people of the Caribbean. He is currently residing in Sebastian, Florida and is an active member of the Quiet Birdmen of Vero Beach, Florida, (EAA) Experimental Aircraft Association, (AOPA) Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Florida Aero Club and the Old Farts Flying Club of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.