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:

• Featured on the PAMA website
• Recognized for their lifetime contributions to aviation maintenance
• Celebrated as role models for current and future maintenance professionals​

​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:

• The mechanic's full name and current location.
• A copy or photo of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award certificate.
• A brief summary of their career (e.g., favorite aircraft worked on, notable employers, or memorable career moments).
• High-resolution photos from their career or the award presentation ceremony.

​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!