 Published in the Observer Today
After nearly six decades of flying, teaching, and maintaining aircraft, Louis Nalbone will be recognized for a lifetime of contributions to aviation during the 59th Annual Rotary Fly-In Breakfast on Sunday, July 26, at the Chautauqua County-Dunkirk Airport. Nalbone recently earned two of the Federal Aviation Administration’s highest lifetime achievement honors -- the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award -- an uncommon distinction recognizing more than 50 years of excellence as both a pilot and aircraft mechanic. Throughout his career, Nalbone has trained generations of aviators, served as chief flight instructor and chief pilot, helped grow Dunkirk Aviation Flight School into a respected regional operation, and helped develop the Professional Pilot Degree Program at SUNY Jamestown Community College. The recognition is especially meaningful at the Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport, officially known as John J. Nalbone Sr. Field, honoring Lou’s father, who founded Dunkirk Aviation and helped establish the Nalbone family’s lasting legacy in aviation. Aviation enthusiasts, families, and breakfast lovers are invited to celebrate Nalbone’s achievements during the 59th Annual Rotary Fly-In Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the Chautauqua County-Dunkirk Airport, 3389 Middle Road, Dunkirk. “The Rotary Fly-In Breakfast has become one of Chautauqua County’s signature summer events, but this year offers something truly special,” said John Machemer, Deputy Director of Public Facilities – Airports. “Lou Nalbone has devoted nearly 60 years to aviation as a pilot, instructor, mechanic, mentor, and business leader. Receiving both the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is an extraordinary accomplishment and a fitting tribute to someone who has helped shape aviation in Chautauqua County for generations. Combined with the arrival of the historic ‘Whiskey 7,’ this year’s event will be one aviation enthusiasts won’t want to miss.” Hosted by the Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia, the longtime community tradition draws as many as 1,200 visitors annually and welcomes pilots from across the region for a morning of aviation, history, and family-friendly activities while raising funds to support Rotary’s local service projects. This year’s featured aircraft is “Whiskey 7,” a historic World War II-era C-47 that served as the lead aircraft in the second wave of Allied planes carrying paratroopers into Normandy during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the legendary aircraft up close while learning about its important role in one of history’s most significant military operations. Guests will also have the opportunity to experience aviation firsthand through Discovery Flights offered by the Great Lakes Flight Center. Available for a fee, the introductory flights aboard Cessna 152 and Cessna 172 aircraft provide aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to take to the skies alongside a certified flight instructor. On the ground, local Civil Air Patrol squadrons will provide free flight simulator demonstrations, allowing visitors to experience the controls of an aircraft in a realistic simulator environment while learning more about aviation. Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Dunkirk and Jamestown squadrons will also assist throughout the event by directing aircraft, parking vehicles, and supporting event operations.
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 Published July 2, 2026 - 5:15 a.m. Modified July 2, 2026 - 11:49 a.m. by Valencia County Bulletin
David “Dave” Robertson, who has operated an aircraft maintenance business at Mid-Valley Airpark since 2006, received the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. This award recognizes aviation mechanics who have held an Airframe & Powerplant certificate for 50 years with no violations and have demonstrated professionalism, dedication and service to aviation maintenance throughout their careers. David "Dave" Robertson, winner of the FFA's CharlesTaylor Master Mechanic Award. Submitted photoRobertson has dedicated more than five decades to the aviation maintenance profession. He began his aviation career immediately following his graduation from high school in May 1969, when he enrolled in the aircraft maintenance program at the Roswell campus of Eastern New Mexico University. He successfully completed the program and graduated on Nov. 20, 1970. In 1971, Robertson earned his Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic Certificate. Demonstrating a continued commitment to professional development and the highest standards of aircraft maintenance, he obtained his Inspection Authorization (IA) in 1974. Early in his career, Robertson maintained a fleet of nine aircraft for a local flight school, gaining valuable hands-on experience in aircraft maintenance and inspection. He later joined Cutter Flying Service, where he worked for five years further developing his knowledge and technical expertise. In 1975, Robertson and his family established Robertson Aircraft, a family-owned and operated repair facility. The company was founded with the involvement and support of Robertson’s parents, Volney “Bud” Robertson, who served as president, and Betty Jean Robertson, who managed the company’s bookkeeping and administrative operations. The repair station began modestly, initially focusing on balloon maintenance. Through the dedication, hard work and shared vision of the Robertson family, the operation steadily expanded its capabilities to provide comprehensive aviation services including general aircraft maintenance, major inspections, propeller overhaul and avionics support. Throughout his career, Robertson has supported a wide range of private, commercial and government aviation operations. For 34 years, he served as director of maintenance for Marjet, a Part 135 operator supporting Beechcraft King Air operations based in Hawaii. He also supported government aviation missions through long-term maintenance contracts. For about 20 years he maintained U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aircraft. Robertson also maintained aircraft for Rio Grande Airservice, a scheduled Part 137 operator utilizing Cessna Caravan aircraft, for about 10 years. Robertson Aircraft also supported federal government operations, maintaining firefighting aircraft and airtankers operating under U.S. Forest Service contracts. He was also involved in the early operational support of Mesa Airlines. Over the course of his career, Robertson has held multiple FAA credentials, including Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, Inspection Authorization and Repairman certificates. A significant portion of his professional career was spent performing and supervising propeller overhauls, contributing directly to the safety and reliability of countless aircraft. The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is the highest honor the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bestows upon senior aviation maintenance technicians. Named after Charles Taylor, the pioneering mechanic who designed and built the engine for the Wright brothers' historic 1903 flight, this prestigious award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering, 50-year commitment to aviation safety and craftsmanship.
Here at the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), we want to make sure these legends of our flight lines and hangars receive the industry-wide recognition they deserve. What Does It Take to Become a Master Mechanic? Earning this award represents a lifetime dedicated to technical excellence. To be eligible for this elite recognition, nominees must meet the following strict criteria:
Exploring the FAA Roll of Honor When a technician receives the award, their name is officially added to the FAA’s published Roll of Honor. This public registry serves as a permanent testament to their 50-year legacy in the industry. As of June 2026, the directory features nearly 4,000 elite master mechanics. You can explore the full history, look up mentors, and search for recipients by name, city, or state by visiting the official FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Recipient List. Share Your Charles Taylor Story with PAMA! Are you a recipient of this prestigious award, or do you know a colleague who recently joined the Roll of Honor? PAMA is actively putting together dedicated feature profiles for our community newsletter and blog. Help us celebrate these incredible milestones by emailing us at [email protected] with the mechanic's name, a brief career summary, and photos from their award ceremony!  At the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), we constantly emphasize that aviation safety is a team effort. A powerful reminder of this came during a special ceremony held on May 23, 2012, at the Porter County Regional Airport. On that day, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Team honored the remarkable 50-year careers of a local pilot and his dedicated mechanic, marking a rare dual presentation of lifetime achievement awards.
Valparaiso orthodontist Tom Cavanaugh received the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for logging five decades of safe flying after taking his first solo flight back in August 1961. However, Cavanaugh quickly directed the spotlight to the man who made his impeccable safety record possible: his mechanic, Larry Bub. Bub was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, the highest honor the FAA bestows upon maintenance technicians, celebrating his 50 years of keeping aircraft safely in the skies. This joint milestone beautifully highlights the sacred trust between pilots and maintenance professionals. As Cavanaugh noted, his safe flying career endured because Bub skillfully repaired and rapidly diagnosed every mechanical issue over five decades. For PAMA members and the broader aviation maintenance community, stories like Bub’s embody the exact professionalism, technical excellence, and commitment to public safety that we strive to uphold every single day. Mike has been an instructor at CPTC for more than 30 years, along with being an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner. Along with the Charles Taylor Award, Mike received a service pin with diamond, a certificate, award plaques, and the FAA “Blue Ribbon” certification. Mike’s wife, Catherine, was also awarded a pin for being an outstanding supporting figure in Mike’s career. Mike was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award by the FAA in 2017. Presenting the award for the FAA was FAA Safety Team Seattle Manager, Dr. Jean Francois Mpouli, along with Mabel Edmonds, vice president for instruction. Mike was presented with a service pin with diamond, certificate, and award plaques. Mike’s wife Catherine was also recognized as an important supporting figure, and was awarded a pin. Also presented was the FAA “Blue Ribbon” certification of Mike Potters FAA blemish-free records spanning the last half-century of service.   Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) proudly recognizes Darryl (DJ) Bates on being awarded the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award—the FAA’s most prestigious honor for aviation maintenance technicians.
This distinguished award recognizes 50 years of professionalism, technical skill, and dedication to aviation safety and excellence. DJ’s career reflects the very best of the aviation maintenance profession, exemplifying safety, character, and unwavering commitment to quality. DJ’s aviation maintenance journey began in the U.S. Navy where he maintained aircraft at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida. As a civilian, he graduate from PIA then went on to work in many roles from line technician, to maintenance manager and executive leadership as a director of maintenance. In August 2024, he returned to PIA to teach, bringing decades of real-world experience back to the next generation of technicians. His career path, from technician to mentor to Master Mechanic Award recipient, serves as a powerful example for our students. During the June 16, 2026 presentation, FAA representatives from the Allegheny Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)—Wendy Grimm (Manager), Steve Steele (AW FPM), and Arthur Rectenwald (PMI)—formally recognized DJ’s lifelong contributions to aviation and highlighted his career as an exemplary model of dedication and impact within the industry. PIA is honored to have DJ as part of our faculty and congratulates him on this remarkable and well-deserved achievement. PAMA is proud to celebrate the aviation maintenance professionals whose careers reflect a lifetime of dedication, skill, and service. We are currently seeking submissions for recipients of the Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award, one of the highest honors in aircraft maintenance.
Established by the FAA, the Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes senior aviation mechanics with 50 or more years of civil aviation maintenance experience. Named after Charles E. Taylor, the first aviation mechanic and the man behind the engine that powered the Wright brothers’ first successful aircraft, this award honors those who have spent decades ensuring the safety, reliability, and advancement of aviation. Do you know a mechanic whose career exemplifies professionalism, technical excellence, and commitment to the aviation maintenance community? We want to hear their story. Why Submit? Selected award recipients will be:
How to Submit To submit a nomination or share information about a deserving Master Mechanic, please email details to [email protected]. Submissions may include background on the nominee’s career, years of service, areas of expertise, and why they are deserving of recognition. Help us honor the individuals who built, and continue to uphold, the foundation of aviation safety and excellence. We look forward to highlighting the remarkable careers that define our profession.  Metro Aviation announced Managing Director Milton Geltz has been awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, one of the highest honors presented by the Federal Aviation Administration to recognize lifetime achievement in aircraft maintenance.
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award honors aviation maintenance professionals with 50 or more years of exemplary service. Geltz becomes one of fewer than one-percent of certified mechanics worldwide to receive this distinguished recognition. A surprise celebration was held last week with Geltz’s family, friends, and colleagues in attendance to commemorate the milestone. “Milton has forgotten more about aviation than most people will ever know,” said Metro COO Kenny Morrow. “His leadership, integrity, and technical expertise have shaped our culture and our commitment to safety for decades.” Throughout his career, Geltz has been instrumental in advancing Metro Aviation’s maintenance standards, mentoring generations of technicians, and strengthening the company’s reputation for excellence across the aviation industry. His influence can be seen in every hangar, every aircraft, and every team member who has had the privilege of learning from him. “This award represents more than longevity; it represents a lifetime dedicated to craftsmanship, safety, and service,” said Morrow. “Milton embodies everything this honor stands for.” The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named after the first aviation mechanic and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated professionalism, technical expertise, and a sustained commitment to aviation safety over the course of their careers. Metro Aviation congratulates Geltz on this extraordinary achievement and thanks him for the lasting impact he continues to make on the company and the industry. This press release was prepared and distributed by Metro Aviation. The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) wants to honor the legends of our flight lines and hangars. If you or an aviation mechanic you know has received the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, we want to feature this incredible achievement in the upcoming PAMA national newsletter.
What is the Charles Taylor Award? Named in honor of Charles Taylor, the Wright brothers' mechanic and the first aviation mechanic in history, this award is the highest honor the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bestows upon maintenance technicians. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise by maintaining a safe career for 50 years in aviation maintenance. Fifty years of keeping aircraft safely in the skies is a monumental milestone that deserves industry-wide recognition. PAMA is dedicated to preserving these stories to inspire the next generation of technicians. How to Submit Your Story We are putting together dedicated feature profiles for our newsletter, and we need your help to tell these stories right. If you are a recipient, or want to nominate a recipient, please email us at [email protected]. Please include the following information in your email:
Help us celebrate fifty years of maintenance excellence. Send your details to [email protected] today, and look for these inspiring features in our upcoming newsletter editions!  In October 2025, respected aviation maintenance professional Terry M. Kennedy was recognized with one of the aviation industry’s highest honors: the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.
Presented by the Federal Aviation Administration, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment to aviation maintenance for at least 50 years. For those who know Terry, the recognition comes as no surprise. Friends, family, fellow pilots, and aviation professionals gathered to celebrate the occasion, though Terry himself initially had no idea the event was being held in his honor. Carrying in a tray of food and expecting an ordinary gathering, he was quickly met by well-wishers and escorted inside by his son, Jared, as the realization slowly set in that the aviation community had gathered to recognize his extraordinary career. Terry was nominated for the award by fellow pilot and longtime friend Mark Frohnapfel, who recognized the lasting impact Terry has had on aviation maintenance and the broader aviation community. With nearly 60 years of continuous involvement in aviation maintenance and more than half a century as an FAA-certified mechanic, Terry’s career reflects the very qualities the award was created to honor. Named after Charles Taylor, the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is the most prestigious recognition issued by the FAA to certificated mechanics under Title 14 CFR Part 65. Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine used in their first successful powered aircraft. The award recognizes more than longevity. It honors a lifetime dedicated to aviation safety, technical excellence, mentorship, professionalism, and service to the industry. Throughout his career, Terry M. Kennedy has exemplified those values. Known not only for his deep technical knowledge, but also for his willingness to support fellow aviators and share his expertise, Terry has earned the respect and admiration of the aviation community over decades of service. Recipients of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award receive a distinctive certificate and are permanently added to the FAA’s official Roll of Honor. More importantly, they join a select group of aviation maintenance professionals whose careers have helped shape and strengthen the aviation industry. PAMA proudly congratulates Terry M. Kennedy on this remarkable achievement and thanks him for his decades of dedication to aviation maintenance excellence. |
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.
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