Alabama Natives Receive Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award at SNF

A special award recognizes lifetime accomplishments of senior FAA licensed aviation mechanics. The award named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, was the first aviation mechanic in powered flight who built and maintained those first aircraft engines. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft. To be eligible for this award, individuals must have a total of 50 years in aviation maintenance as a mechanic, repairman, avionics, manager, inspector or instructor.

During Sun' n Fun at Lakeland, FL special award presentations were held at the FAA Safety building. Ken Spivey Jr. Southern Region FAASTeam Manager and his team presented the FAA's highest and most prestigious recognition, the Wright Brothers Charles Taylor Award. Alabama natives Harley Pickett and Robert Waldrop were among those recipients.



After serving 4 years in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic, Harley Pickett joined the AF Reserve, and worked 2 years in the airline industry. He then joined Federal Civil Service as an aircraft mechanic at Homestead AFB, FL. After a RIFT, he went into the Air Taxi and Flight School business in El Dorado, AR and then worked with the government, as a Quality Control Inspector in DECAS. He retired from the AF Reserve with 34 years as a Chief Master Sgt. He worked for the FAA for 36 years as a FSDO Inspector in Birmingham. Harley said, "Life has been good since retiring to Cannon Creek Airpark, in Lake City, FL, flying out quite often for that $100.00 hamburger in my Cessna 170A."



Robert Waldrop loved aviation since a young boy growing up in Eastaboga. He got his start in aircraft mechanics at the Talladega Airport in 1958 and pursued his training working at various companies in Birmingham and Talladega. He joined an Army Aviation Station in August 1972, as Pell City became the new home to Army aviation maintenance for three reserve units. He maintained the L19, L20 and OH12 helicopters. Then, the Air Force added the U3 and later the Army added the UH1 and after three years, the L23 Queen Aire. Robert continued with the Army Maintenance Station until his first retirement in 1997. He remained at Pell City working with SARCO and independently maintaining privately own warbirds and antique aircraft. Today, Robert continues to freelance at Pell City and recently completed a total Gypsy Moth restoration.  -B Meyer