If 10,00 hours of practice could make a master airline mechanic, what do 50 years make?

Five decades of work can add up to a nationally recognized Charles Taylor Master Mechanic, a Federal Aviation Administration award named for the Wright Brothers’ mechanic and a “blue package” of personal aviation history documented by the FAA. Even rarer than receiving one master airman award is to receive the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at the same time – like a Moon Township resident, one of three awardees, did on March 25.
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For the first time, the FAA safety team visited the Air Heritage Museum adjacent to the Beaver County Airport in Chippewa Township, not to peruse vintage planes and artifacts, but to honor these three elite airmen: Gregory Werking of Ohioville, Raymond Dougherty of Moon and double-award recipient Donald Mueller of Moon.

“Everybody’s seen (the Tom Cruise film) 'Maverick,' but they can’t tell you about the people who keep them flying, who are trusted with their lives, literally,” remarked FAA safety team member and evening emcee Steven Steele before sharing the awardees’ life highlights.

Werking, a 35-year Air Heritage member, also has the distinction of serving as the Air Heritage hangar chief, keeping the building and its equipment going while chasing down or making parts that he and other volunteers install in vintage planes. His current projects include the “Thunder Pig,” a C-123 used to transport troops and supplies in Vietnam, a behemoth whose wings almost stretch the walls of the hangar’s width.

Eugene Comer, an instructor in Lansing Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program, has received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in recognition of more than 50 years of aviation maintenance experience. The award was presented to Comer by Richard Anderson, FAA Front Line Manager, Eastern Michigan Flight Standards District Office, and Gary Knaggs, FAASTeam Program Manager, Eastern Michigan Flight Standards District Office, during an aircraft maintenance technician conference at Eastern Michigan University.
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The Charles Taylor Award is the most prestigious award presented by the FAA to an aviation maintenance technician. The award, named in honor of Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight, recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of aircraft mechanics. Charles Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first aircraft to achieve heavier-than-air flight. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years in the aircraft maintenance profession as “master mechanics.”

This past May, 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.
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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).

​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.”

In a recent reception at Duncan Aviation’s headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, two airframe technicians who recently retired from Duncan Aviation, Ron Grose and Tim Garity, were honored as recipients of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics.

Award recipients are required to have worked for 50 years in an aviation maintenance career and must have been an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman working on N-registered aircraft for a minimum of 30 of the 50 years required.
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Ron Grose’s aviation career began in 1973. He joined Duncan Aviation in 1976, advancing through roles including Lead Mechanic, Team Leader, Airframe Service Shop Supervisor, and eventually Falcon Technical Representative & Program Manager.

Taye Yemeru really wanted to go to the coast with his wife that Friday.
He requested the day off work, but was denied. Yemeru's boss at the Federal Aviation Administration's Certificate Management Office in Hillsboro told him he had to be there for an important training session.

Expecting a work meeting, Yemeru entered a carpeted room filled with family, friends, coworkers and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who all greeted him with smiles and cheers or applause.

Bonamici presented Yemeru with the FAA's Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, which honors selected senior mechanics who have worked in aviation maintenance for at least 50 years and are U.S. citizens, in a surprise ceremony earlier this month at his workplace. Yemeru plans to retire at the end of the year after 57 years as an aviation mechanic, he said.
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It was the first Charles Taylor award Bonamici has presented, and the opportunity was "a great honor," she said. Five Washington County residents have received the award: Four from Hillsboro and one from Beaverton, spokeswoman Alexandra Gilliland said in an email.

Leo Sawatzki, retired manager of engine acquisition and sales and a long-time aircraft technician with Duncan Aviation, has received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

The award is named in honor of Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.

Recipients must have worked for 50 years in an aviation maintenance career. They must have been an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman working on N-registered aircraft maintained under the federal aviation regulations for a minimum of 30 of the 50 years required. As of June 2022, 3,207 mechanics have earned the award.
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Sawatzki was awarded this recognition in 2020, but the pandemic delayed its presentation. During a reception held at Duncan Aviation, Leo and his wife Linda were honored and presented the award by Owen Grimm, FAA FAASTeam Program Manager.