EVERGREEN AL- Mr. Charles Macklyn Jones recently received a
Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" award from Mr. Ken Spivey, FAA Southern Region
FAASTeam Manager. The award was made
during an FAA Safety meeting in the Big Red Hangar, Middleton Field, October
25, 2013 as a kick off for the annual South East Regional Fly In -SERFI. A
Master Mechanic Award is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to an airman
for safely carrying their duty as an aircraft mechanic for more than fifty
years.
Mr. Jones began his career in aviation over sixty-five years ago under the guidance of Willy Blanchard working on J-3 Cubs in 1948. He soloed on August 17 of that same year as he continued to work with an aerial application outfit maintaining PT-17's. He entered military service in 1955 and was stationed at Marshall Field in Kansas. There he qualified as a mechanic and crew chief on Army H-21 helicopters. After separating from military service in 1962 he moved to Southeast Alabama after a short stint in Waco, TX working on small certified aircraft. Mr. Jones remained in Alabama working on and restoring a multitude of aircraft, but he specialized in dope and fabric aircraft.
He has restored more than ten Pitts Special and obtained FAA authorization to modify the Pitts leading edge from aluminum to plywood, a mod preferred by many aerobatic pilots. Mr. Jones reputation has afforded him the opportunity to work on many special aircraft restoration projects including a 1929 Aeronca C-2, a Spencer Air Car amphibian airplane and a 1939 Stinson HW-75. A notable project includes restoring a 1929 Bucher Jungmeister, used in filming the movie "The Great Waldo Pepper".
A large group of family and friends attended while his wife
Maxine, was also awarded a beautiful Charles Taylor stick pin for her support
of his time honored endeavors. - Special to Alabama Aviator , FMI: FAA
Charles Taylor Award .