On June 4, Clifford G. Johnson was presented with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for 50 years of ‘Dedicated Technical Aircraft Maintenance Service and Safety’ by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Airlines Tech Ops Department at LaGuardia Airport.

At the presentation of his Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and the celebration of Clifford’s exceptional 50 years in the aviation industry, more than 100 guests of family, friends, co-workers, and distinguished leaders at American Airlines were present.
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“Married to my high school sweetheart, Jean,..blessed with three daughters and a son.. the grandfather of eight and two great-grands; 50 years married and 50 years in the aviation industry has awarded me a good life! I will be retiring from American Airlines at LaGuardia on September 30, 2024,” said Clifford Johnson.

In May 2024, Anthony Imparato received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience. 

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 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.”

Leo Sawatzki, retired Manager of Engine Acquisition and Sales and a long-time aircraft technician with Duncan Aviation, was honored as a recipient of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. Sawatzki has enjoyed a 50-year career in aviation, 32 of those years dedicated to serving at Duncan Aviation. He began his aviation career after graduating from Westside High School in Omaha, Neb., and joined the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
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In 1973, Sawatzki stepped off the Navy ship USS Constellation and signed on as a jet engine mechanic with Duncan Aviation in Lincoln. At that time, there were nine mechanics in the entire company. All nine did airframe work, engine work, and even painted the aircraft. They worked on Learjets, Citations, King Airs, Barons, and Bonanzas. Read more here. 

On April 11, 2024 it was announced that Paul Heinze Wikander was designated a recipient of both the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is the most prestigious award the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61. This award, named after the Wright Brothers, is to recognize individuals who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of piloting experience or 50 or more years combined experience in both piloting and aircraft operations.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award awarded by the FAA recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience.  The award presentation is scheduled for August 2024 in Sebastian, Florida.

Mr. Wikander had a love of aviation from a very young age.  Inspired by his Army aircraft mechanic and inspector father, Paul joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1953 at the age of 13.  At age 16, he made his first solo flight.  Paul then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1958, earned his Air Crewman Wings in 1961, and continued to serve until his honorable discharge in 1963.

Mr. Wikander started flying in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands around 1967.  In 1970, Paul and his beloved wife Margaret started a commuter airline in 1970 called Virgin Air, which later became known as Air St. Thomas. The airline provided daily scheduled air transportation as well as mail and newspaper service to St. Barthélemy. Air St. Thomas was the only US carrier providing scheduled air service to the island. Paul and Margaret operated the airline for almost 35 years until they retired in 2005.
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Over his career, Mr. Wikander amassed over 28,000 flying hours, most of which was flying in and around St. Thomas, St. Barths and throughout the Caribbean.  Paul lived in the US Virgin Islands for 63 years dedicating himself to the island of St. Thomas and the people of the Caribbean. He is currently residing in Sebastian, Florida and is an active member of the Quiet Birdmen of Vero Beach, Florida, (EAA) Experimental Aircraft Association, (AOPA) Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Florida Aero Club and the Old Farts Flying Club of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Bob Hays was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration with its most prestigious award: The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is given to mechanics who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years of aviation maintenance experience. 
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Bob Hays launched his aviation career in 1967 when he enrolled in flight training at a small airport in Phillipsburg, KS. After a successful private pilot check ride 12 months later, Bob wasn’t satisfied and continued looking for ways to learn more about aviation and aircraft maintenance. After serving in the Kansas Army National Guard, Bob completed his aircraft maintenance training and received his FAA Mechanic’s Certificate in 1975. In addition to his mechanic expertise, Bob received his commercial flight instructor’s rating (CFI), along with an airline transport rating (ATP), which opened the door for a career that included managing the Phillipsburg Municipal Airport, working for Air Midwest Airlines in Springfield, MO, Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS, Ameriflight in Omaha, NE, and finally at Yingling Aviation back in Wichita. At Yingling Aviation, Bob received his Inspection Authorization (IA) in 2010 and served as Yingling’s Quality Assurance Manager until his retirement in 2017. Read more here. 

The Niagara Aerospace Museum was pleased to host the 2023 FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanics Awards, honoring Michael McGuire. The FAA 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. Read more here. ​

The Niagara Aerospace Museum was pleased to host the 2023 FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanics Awards, honoring Jack Bush. The FAA 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. Read more here. 

Larry Owen, owner and operator of L&M Aircraft, Inc. at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, has been recognized with the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. Owen received his Airframe and Powerplant license in 1971. He joined the Air Force and worked on KC-135s in Okinawa and Tokyo. In 1975, he returned to Chattanooga to work at Tennessee Airmotive on small, private aircraft.In 1976, he moved to Rome and founded L&M Aircraft a year later. He’s operated the business out of the Rome airport since 1977 as an A&P rated mechanic with inspection authorization privileges. Read more here.