![]() Six local pilots and aviation mechanics on Friday received the Federal Aviation Administration's highest award in recognition of their lengthy, successful careers. The Little Rock FAA Safety Team presented the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award to three pilots, the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award to one mechanic, and both to two awardees. The ceremony took place in the hangar at Texarkana Regional Airport that is home to TC's Department of Aviation. "The favorite part of my job is recognizing people who've been doing this for 50 years," said Jamie Black, FAASTeam's Little Rock program director. "This is the most prestigious award that the FAA gives out, and it's well deserved." Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recipients were Jim Collom, Randy Williams, Tevis Pappas, Gary Walker and Jerry Browning. Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award Recipients were Jim Collom, Randy Williams and Perry Hodgson. Recipients reminisced about their longtime relationships with one another, close calls they survived, and early experiences at Texarkana Regional Airport in the 1970s and 1980s. More than 30 students from TC's newly launched Airframe and Powerplant Program represented the airport. Awardee Jim Collom offered them advice. "This is the time we pass the torch to you young fellows. You stay honest to your work, remember your responsibility, and not only to you, but the people that trust in you. Just remember that that's very important what you're doing in this profession, and that's it's not it's your life. It's really their life," Collom said. Article written by Arts and Entertainment Editor Karl Richter of the Texarckana Gazette.
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![]() Greg Feith, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia are fresh from media interviews on the Air India crash. They regroup here to share their insights with the Flight Safety Detectives audience. An Air India 787 crashed in Ahmedabad, India on June 12. The detectives want to put the brakes on the media, aviation commentators and social media posters who are providing bad information about the cause of the crash. Many people speaking out, including pilots and other aviation professionals, are demonstrating little understanding of 787 systems and procedures. They are misrepresenting the limited information available about the event. This is a disservice to the public as well as aviation safety. Boeing 787 Systems Explained Greg explains how the 787 flap and slat system operates and how that led many commentators to misinterpret what they saw in the two videos of the crash that have been widely circulated. The main landing gear is visible in the videos, leading some commentators to speculate that the crew neglected to raise it. Greg notes that one of the videos showed clear evidence that the landing gear was in the process of being raised. The audio of one of the videos suggested that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was deployed. John and Greg detail how the RAT provides critical hydraulic and electrical capacity to the aircraft. They describe several ways the system can be deployed manually or automatically. Todd, John, and Greg all criticize the Indian authorities’ management of the accident investigation. Video clips of the accident scene show that news media and others had relatively free access to the site. Evidence from the accident scene was disturbed before investigative authorities could inspect it. The lack of security may make it hard to fully understand why the aircraft crashed. Middle East Conflict Impacts Flight Safety A major military conflict between Iran and Israel began the day after the Air India crash, dramatically changing flight patterns in that part of the world. Flights may be disrupted further should the conflict intensify. Passengers and flight crews in that area should be prepared with alternative plans should the situation change for the worse. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) announced that its volunteer aircraft mechanic Ron Corley has been awarded the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. The award honors the commitment and achievements of senior mechanics with more than 50 years of aviation maintenance.
The award is named after aviation pioneer Charles Taylor, who served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and designed the engine for their groundbreaking aircraft. To be eligible, recipients must hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or FAA mechanic or repairman certificate with at least 50 years of dedicated service in aviation maintenance. Such experience can include civil and/or military work, as well as maintenance work overseas or in the U.S. Ron’s Award serves as a testament to his lifetime of contributions and adherence to the highest standards in aviation safety and maintenance. As an active member of Airbase Georgia he has made numerous invaluable impacts on the CAF and inspired others with his commitment and skill. All maintenance mechanics and pilots, as well as others who assist in keeping the aircraft flying and presenting them to the public are volunteers who donate their time and resources because of their passion for flying and love of the aircraft. Ron’s dedication and receiving this award is a distinction for the CAF that helps reinforce its mission to “Keep ‘Em Flying” and preserve aviation history and its legacy for future generations. flight safety detectives episode 274 - John Goglia Costars in Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal”6/13/2025 Nathan Fielder needed an aviation expert for Season 2 of the series “The Rehearsal” so he tapped Flight Safety Detectives’ own John Goglia. John’s recommendations for how crew resource management (CRM) can reduce aviation accidents became the focus of the season.
John discusses how he was approached to be in the show, how he didn’t have a clear idea of the direction it would take, and the unexpected reaction. Season 2 of “The Rehearsal” addresses the role that enhanced CRM could play in reducing accidents. The tropic is explored in the context of comedy, absurdity, and simulations of the travel experience. Throughout, John is featured as the voice of authority. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the series was how seriously deeply Fielder approached the subject. He went from being a non-pilot to getting a type rating in a 737. Hear John’s insider look at how the show came together. Stay tuned – John has invited Nathan Fielder to appear on a future episode of Flight Safety Detectives! ![]() The Little Rock FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), in partnership with Texarkana College’s Aviation Technology program, is proud to announce a special ceremony to present the esteemed Wright Brothers Master Pilot and Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Awards. The event will take place on June 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Texarkana College Department of Aviation Hangar at 60 Globe Ave, Texarkana, AR 71854, honoring distinguished pilots and mechanics for their remarkable contributions to aviation. The Little Rock FAASTeam and Texarkana College invite the aviation community and media to join in recognizing these remarkable professionals. Texarkana Regional Airport, recognized as the premier maintenance relief airport in the region, will be represented by 34 students from Texarkana College’s newly launched Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) program, who will attend to draw inspiration from these exemplary airmen, continuing the airport’s storied legacy of high-achieving aviation mechanics. The ceremony, led by Jamie Black, FAASTeam Program Manager at the Little Rock Flight Standards District Office, will recognize the following recipients for their exceptional dedication and service: Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Recipients:
Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award Recipients:
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes senior mechanics with 50 or more years of civil and military maintenance experience. Named after Charles Taylor, the Wright brothers’ mechanic who designed and built the engine for their first successful aircraft, this award acknowledges a lifetime of excellence in aviation maintenance, a tradition proudly upheld by Texarkana Regional Airport, the premier maintenance relief airport. Jim Croce died in a plane crash more than 50 years ago. Determining what caused the 1973 crash is challenging. This episode also covers an event where no one was flying a Lufthansa plane.
The only surviving document from the plane crash that killed Jim Croce is less than a page long, leaving many questions unanswered. The investigation was likely carried out by an investigator who was outside of NTSB headquarters. At that time, the records for most accident investigations were not sent to headquarters. Jim Croce was traveling late at night from Louisiana to Texas. For reasons that are not explained, the aircraft hit a tree off the end of the runway. It was destroyed in the subsequent fire. While the report mentions the weather conditions and the pilot’s preexisting heart condition, it does not answer many questions, such as whether the plane was overloaded or even the position of the tree relative to the runway. In a 2024 incident involving Lufthansa, the captain stepped out of the cockpit and the first officer lost consciousness. For 10 minutes, no one was flying the plane! The event did not result in an accident, although it was a close call. Fortunately, the first officer recovered enough to open the cockpit door, and the flight continued without incident. John Goglia and Todd Curtis agree that always having a second person in the cockpit is a good practice. The regulations in Europe, where Lufthansa is based, do not require a second person. Although these two events are very different, like many accidents and incidents, each provides learning opportunities. Aviation is a learning adventure! Roanoke, Texas (May 29, 2024) - JSfirm.com is proud to announce a transformative new partnership with Charlotte Technical College, expanding their Job Distribution Network (JDN). This partnership will allow students and alumni of Charlotte Technical College to directly explore Aviation Maintenance and Avionics career opportunities right on the college’s website.
Charlotte Technical College is committed to providing industry-relevant aviation education and training that prepares students for real-world success. Through comprehensive programs that combine foundational learning, hands-on experience, and career development, the college equips its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the aviation industry. "We’re excited to partner with Charlotte Technical College to provide valuable resources and support for aspiring aviation professionals." said Abbey Hutter, Executive Director at JSfirm.com. "This partnership enables us to further expand our reach while offering free job search tools directly through the college’s website." Stephanie Rusch, Career Specialist/Community Liaison at Charlotte Technical College, said, “Our mission is to prepare our students for success in the workforce. We want our students and graduates to have the strategies and the resources to find opportunities that fit their skills, qualifications, and future goals so that they can be successful and happy both personally and professionally throughout their careers. JSfirm is a great resource for our students, and this partnership is all about working together to get our graduates started on their chosen career path.” Through this partnership, Charlotte Technical Colleges’ students and alumni can search for the latest Aviation Maintenance and Avionics career opportunities directly on their website. To view this new page, visit: ctc.yourcharlotteschools.net/118864_3 ______________________________________________________________________ About Charlotte Technical College Located directly on an active airport campus, our FAA-certified A&P program offers a dynamic learning environment where aviation comes to life. With small class sizes and a low student-to-instructor ratio, students receive personalized instruction and extensive hands-on training with real aircraft and components. Our curriculum emphasizes practical skills, technical knowledge, and industry readiness. Graduates benefit from job placement assistance and connections with regional and national aviation employers, setting them on a clear path toward successful careers as licensed A&P mechanics. About JSfirm.com JSfirm.com continues to be the world’s largest resource for aviation jobs with resume database access and has exclusively served the aviation industry for over 25 years. It is a free service for job seekers and an out-of-this-world place for aviation companies to post jobs and search resumes. Please contact us at 724-547-6203. Roanoke, Texas (June 3, 2025) - JSfirm.com is proud to announce their latest partnership with the Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association (DVBAA), which expands their Job Distribution Network (JDN).
Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association (DVBAA) is committed to the safe operation of business aircraft, professionalism through education events, networking among peers, fair airspace advocacy, and outreach to inform our community of the robust opportunities in aviation-related careers. We’re thrilled to partner with the Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association to provide access to career opportunities within the business aviation sector directly from DVBAA’s website." said Abbey Hutter, Executive Director at JSfirm.com. This partnership strengthens both organizations' commitment to growth in the business aviation sector, providing job seekers across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and beyond with resources to explore aviation career opportunities. Giovanni Ferro of Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association said, “DVBAA is excited to partner with JSfirm and offer a way to easily find exciting, high-caliber business aviation jobs right from our website. We’re also proud to highlight member jobs from our member organizations as a benefit of DVBAA membership.” Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association members can search for the latest Aviation career opportunities directly on their website: dvbaa.wildapricot.org/page-18168 ______________________________________________________________________ About Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association The Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association brings together members of the aviation community between New York and the Chesapeake Bay. We are committed to the safe operation of business aircraft, professionalism through education events, networking among peers, fair airspace advocacy, and outreach to inform our community of the robust opportunities in aviation related careers. About JSfirm.com JSfirm.com continues to be the world’s largest resource for aviation jobs with resume database access and has exclusively served the aviation industry for over 25 years. It is a free service for job seekers and an out-of-this-world place for aviation companies to post jobs and search resumes. Please contact us at 724-547-6203. Greg Feith was the keynote speaker at the 2025 National Business Aviation Association Maintenance Conference held from April 29 to May 1 and we take you there!
This special edition of the Flight Safety Detectives features Greg as he discusses a range of topics, focusing on the central role that safety plays throughout aviation. Greg discusses recent incidents. He offers in-depth details of two accidents that he investigated to illustrate how relatively minor maintenance oversights led to the loss of the aircraft and the deaths of everyone on board. A crash of a DC-8 cargo aircraft in Rancho Cordova, California that he investigated while at the NTSB was found to be maintenance related. A second crash in Nebraska involved a Beechcraft Baron that he investigated as a consultant, where he proved that the accident happened because of maintenance errors and not pilot errors. |
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