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: 

• 50 Years of Experience: Must have 50 or more years of civil and military aviation maintenance experience.
• Certified Service: At least 30 of those years must have been served as an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman.
• Clean Record: Nominees must have an exemplary record with no history of airman certificate revocation.
• Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen.

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.