Stockton aviation mechanic wins Wright Brothers award as skilled trades face challenges
Story by Charlie Lapastora

For nearly five decades, Paul McKenzie has kept planes flying out of Stockton.

Now, the longtime aviation mechanic and CEO of Big Valley Aviation – the oldest business at Stockton Metropolitan Airport – is working to pass that knowledge on as the skilled trades industry faces a changing future.

"A lot of people say we're crazy for being in this industry because it requires so much responsibility and knowledge to succeed in the business," McKenzie said. "We look at it two and three times to make sure it's done correctly and properly."

Those safety checks are critical before any aircraft is cleared to fly. Big Valley Aviation says that, in 52 years, it has not had an accident involving an aircraft released from its shop.

The company was founded in 1974, and McKenzie arrived in Stockton three years later after moving his young family for a job opportunity. He started as a mechanic and eventually became CEO of the employee-owned company, though he says the work still means wearing many hats, sometimes including janitor.

​"[If] the wheel falls off of your car after you get your tires installed, well, it's an inconvenience," McKenzie said. "If a part on the helicopter breaks, it's a life-threatening situation."

McKenzie recently won the prestigious Federal Aviation Administration Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, named after the Wright Brothers' first aviation mechanic involved in the first powered flight. 
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"You don't have to be that great, you just have to stick around a long time to get a Charles Taylor Award. But in that 51 years, I've learned a lot. And now I'm mentoring more people," McKenzie said.

David Jones was recently awarded the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for his lifetime achievements in aviation. He spoke with Aviation Week Network about some of his career highlights and shared perspectives on challenges the industry faces moving forward.

You began flying at a young age and then attended school for aviation engineering technology. Could you tell me a bit about the early days of your aviation passion and how you broke into the industry?

My father learned to fly on the GI Bill after World War II, so I grew up with that in the family. He didn’t own an airplane until I was getting ready to learn to fly...He bought a little World War II trainer that I used to learn to fly. My mother was his first passenger when he got his license and she decided to be my first passenger when I got mine—she was a daring lady! The flying kept me [around] airports where you could get really close with the airplanes and people, and my interest continued to grow. When I was in high school, I started working at the airport as a mechanics’ helper, which is where I got my interest in the [technical] side.

The local community college in Lansing, Michigan had an agreement with Western Michigan University (WMU) and they sent people from WMU to recruit for the aviation department. One of the mechanics I worked with was a WMU graduate, so it seemed very logical to look at that program. At the time, the aviation program had an engineering technology degree option, and with it you chose a specialty. I already had a commercial pilot’s license and a lot of that [work] already done, but the classes you took included everything for the mechanics, so I went ahead and did both. I finished my pilot training and got my mechanic certificate at the same time.

When I graduated, I went back to Lansing to work at the airport. I took my girlfriend for an airplane ride one day and we stopped back to fuel the airplane up. One of the customers whose airplane I had worked on was there and he said he had a job opening that might interest me.  I went to work for him, mostly in a machine shop. It was interesting design work and prototype machinery, but I also got to fly and work on his airplane occasionally. That was really my first aviation job.

Read the full interview here. 

The roar of engines at the National Championship Air Races is a testament to the masterful hands working behind the scenes. This year, the aviation community proudly celebrates one of its most dedicated members, Tom Kilfoyle, as the recipient of the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. As the highest honor in aviation maintenance, this award recognizes the technical expertise and unwavering professionalism that keep our industry soaring.

Named after the Wright brothers' original mechanic, the Charles Taylor Award is reserved for an elite group: those who have completed 50 or more years of excellence as a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic. Earning this distinction requires more than just longevity; it demands a lifetime of commitment to the craft. Tom’s recognition carries immense weight, serving as a reminder of the high standards and rigorous discipline required to maintain flight safety at the most competitive levels.

​For decades, Tom has been a cornerstone of the air racing world, where razor-thin margins and extreme conditions leave no room for error. His deep mechanical knowledge has helped countless teams push the limits of performance while ensuring every aircraft remains safe for the skies. From all of us at PAMA, we congratulate Tom Kilfoyle on this historic achievement. Your legacy continues to inspire the next generation of technicians, keeping the spirit of aviation maintenance and air racing flying strong.

By Connor Trett
Published: Nov. 18, 2023 at 3:49 PM MST

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa - A local aircraft mechanic is being celebrated for five decades of service to the aviation industry.

Vincent Chicoine was given the most distinguished aircraft maintenance award recognized by the FAA, the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award, This award is given to celebrate senior mechanics who have worked for 50 years.

Chicoine was not only gifted a plaque, pins, and certificates commemorating his achievements, but the FAA also printed and bound every document on file they had that showed what projects he’s worked on spanning back to the 1970s.
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After receiving his award, Chicoine said he hoped that the next generation could follow in his footsteps.

”I’d like to encourage young people to think about getting into the aircraft maintenance business because there’s a lot of different skills you can learn there,” said Chicoine.
He is just the 30th Iowan to receive the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award.

In May 2024, Anthony Imparato received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics in the aviation maintenance industry.

Anthony grew up in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY, near LaGuardia Airport, and was inspired to pursue a career in aviation from his fascination with airplanes from a young age. He always knew he wanted to pursue a career in aviation and received his license in 1974 from Aviation High School in Queens, NY.  He began his career as a flight line mechanic for Capital Airways at JFK Airport and has since filled many different roles in his over 50-year career in aviation.

​He served on the board at George T. Baker Aviation Technical College in Miami-Dade County and was a chairman of the Beacon Council Aviation Committee, Miami-Dade. His other membership appointments include the AMA (Avionic Maintenance Association) and ARSA (Aeronautical Repair Station Association).

After working the flight line, Imparato became a manager of aircraft maintenance and technical instructor for Eastern Airlines. He conducted training classes on the L-1011, B-757, B-727, A-300, B747, CF-6, RB-535, JT8D engines, and boroscoping. When reflecting upon his memories of training pilots and maintenance personnel, he recalls them as some of his fondest yet most challenging tasks.
In the 1990s, Anthony was promoted from Director of Aircraft Maintenance at Butler Aviation to VP of Sales and Marketing Services in Garden City, New York. He served as Senior vice president of Quality and Operations at Kellstrom Industries from 2001 to 2005 and then worked for Barfield in Miami, Florida, moving from Senior vice president of Quality to Senior vice president of Operations at six locations until 2021 when he retired. In 2022, he began serving in an advisory role at Aero Instruments and Avionics in Western New York.

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. When asked about how it feels to receive such a rare award, Anthony 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.”

The FAA awarded the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award to Long Island-based mechanic Ed Libassi, honoring over 50 years of dedicated service to the aviation industry. Libassi, owner of A&P Aircraft Maintenance, received the award during an April 2023 ceremony surrounded by peers, family, and friends.

Starting his career at 19, Libassi built a lasting legacy in New York aviation, moving his maintenance shop through several local airports before settling at Long Island MacArthur Airport (KISP). His extensive career included 16 years with Eastern Airlines and over a decade handling emergency maintenance for airlines at KISP

Beyond routine maintenance, Libassi has managed complex aircraft recoveries and now operates A&P Aviation Consulting, providing investigation services for accident-related maintenance. For more information, learn more about the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award on the FAA website.

Learn more about the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award here.

Larry Riggs, the Aviation Center Logistics Command FAA branch chief, was honored with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for over 50 years of dedicated service in aviation in 2017. Starting in 1966 as an Air Force structural mechanic, Riggs's career spanned roles from Alaskan bush pilot to supporting Department of Defense special operations, including counter-narcotics work during the 1980s. His extensive experience includes over 4,000 flight hours and early work on GPS technology development.
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His career is marked by high-stakes operations and adapting to technological evolution, which he cites as highlights due to the constant, real-time problem-solving involved. Colleagues, including ACLC quality assurance specialist Shawn Howard, described Riggs as a vital mentor who enhanced team capabilities at Cairns Army Airfield with his deep knowledge of federal regulations and military operations.

Nominated for the award by colleagues for his dedication, Riggs views the milestone as a result of his passion for mechanical work and dedication to the team. Despite his extensive career, Riggs has no immediate plans for retirement, stating he will continue working as long as he is healthy.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is the highest honor the FAA bestows upon senior aviation technicians, named after the man who built the engine for the Wright brothers’ first flight. This prestigious award recognizes a lifetime of professional excellence and an unwavering commitment to aviation safety. Beyond the personal pride of receiving a certificate and lapel pin, recipients are officially inducted into the FAA's Roll of Honor, a public registry that immortalizes their 50-year legacy in the industry. You can explore the full history of those who have reached this milestone by visiting the official Recipient List.

To qualify for this elite recognition, a nominee must be a U.S. citizen with 50 years of aviation maintenance experience, at least 30 of which must have been served as an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman with no history of certificate revocation. If you or someone you know meets these criteria, you must submit a formal nomination package to your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). To ensure a smooth application process, your submission should include the following checklist of required items:

• A completed FAA Form 8700-3 (the official nomination form).
• A detailed resume or chronological history of the nominee’s 50-year maintenance career.
• Three letters of recommendation from other FAA-certificated mechanics or repairmen.
• Documentation of certification, such as copies of the nominee’s mechanic or repairman certificates.
• Proof of citizenship, which can include a birth certificate or passport.

Patrick started work in the U.S Navy just after high school. After four years of service, he attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics where he completed his Aviation Science degree. He has gone on to work for Paul Formet Air Services, Aviall, Stevens Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, Embraer, J.S.S.I, Flight Time, and Comlux. He has since started his own company, Pioneer Aviation Management, where he is today. Patrick was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award by the FAA in 2010. 

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is the most prestigious honor the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presents to senior aviation mechanics. Named after Charles Taylor—the Wright brothers' mechanic who designed and built the engine for the first successful powered flight—this award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary expertise and professionalism throughout a lifetime of service. Beyond the personal recognition of a certificate and lapel pin, recipients are immortalized on the FAA's Roll of Honor, celebrating a career that has fundamentally contributed to aviation safety and reliability.
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To earn this distinguished recognition, a nominee must be a U.S. citizen with 50 or more years of civil and military aviation maintenance experience. Specifically, the applicant must have served as an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman for at least 30 of those 50 years, with a clean record that includes no certificate revocations. The remaining 20 years can include time spent in the U.S. military or uncertificated work in aircraft manufacturing. Eligible individuals or their sponsors can apply by submitting a nomination package, including maintenance history and letters of recommendation, to their local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

.In November 2015, the FAA honored Peter Conner with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. These awards are not merely tokens of appreciation but rigorous recognitions of a half-century of dedication to the skies. To qualify for the Charles Taylor Award, named after the Wright brothers' pioneering mechanic, a recipient must demonstrate exemplary aviation expertise and professionalism for at least 50 years in aircraft maintenance without a single certificate revocation. 

Conner’s journey into the world of flight began in 1965 at Plum Island Airport, shortly before he joined the Navy and earned his private pilot’s license in 1968. Although he initially considered a career as an airline co-pilot, his natural talent for the mechanical side of aviation led him to pivot. In 1976, he founded Yankee Aviation Services at Plymouth Municipal Airport, where he has spent the last four decades building a reputation as a trusted authority for pilots across New England. Known for "telling it like it is," Conner has become a fixture in the community, serving not only as a master mechanic and pilot but also as a consultant and FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative. 

The significance of receiving both the Wright Brothers and Charles Taylor awards simultaneously cannot be overstated, as it highlights Conner's mastery of both the cockpit and the hangar. While the Master Pilot award honors his 50 years of safe flight operations, the Master Mechanic award recognizes the painstaking technical work that ensures those flights are possible in the first place. For Conner, aviation has always been a "labor of love," and this dual recognition serves as a testament to a career defined by an unwavering commitment to safety and the meticulous documentation required to keep small planes and jets soaring safely above the rooftops.

Read the full story at Wicked Local.
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