WALL OF HONOR
There have been many technological advancements in both airframes and powerplants since mankind first conquered the challenge of powered, controlled flight. Throughout these small steps and large leaps in better technology to make flying faster and safer, aircraft maintenance technicians have remained silently vigilant. Perhaps the reason for this “silence” is due to the fact that Charles E. Taylor, considered the father of aircraft maintenance, was himself silent.
Having created the first aircraft engine for the Wright Flyer, Taylor never looked for notoriety or fame. There were no reality shows or paparazzi back in 1903. There was just hard work, determination and professionalism. Taylor might have been able to turn his contributions to aviation into a personal fortune, however, like today’s proud, skilled aircraft maintenance technicians and aircraft maintenance engineers, Taylor was given a task and set out to accomplish it to the best of his abilities.
History is written with facts by those who wish to make these facts available for the public so they can remember the past and those who contributed to our future. The Wright brothers always gave Taylor his well-earned recognition. However, from the time the first aircraft engine propelled mankind into controlled powered flight, it took almost 100 years before Howard R. DuFour, with Peter J. Unitt, wrote the biography on Taylor titled “Charles E. Taylor 1868 – 1956: The Wright Brother’s Mechanician.” It would take 99 years before Richard “Dilly” Dilbeck would have the state of California introduce and pass the first AMT Day Resolution that recognizes May 24 as AMT Day in honor of Taylor’s birthday. In 2006, the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA) donated a bronze bust of Taylor, created by Artist Virginia Hess, to the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This bust donation would be followed by further bronze bust donations and AMT Day resolutions being passed.
These acts of recognition were made possible by many people who have the same passion for making sure that Taylor is remembered in the pages of aviation history. The people who help populate our “society” of aircraft maintenance professionals have recently come together to have Taylor’s name written on a prestigious “history book” located at the same Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center where his likeness is on display. The Hazy Center has an airfoil-shaped memorial called the Wall of Honor that recognizes those with a passion for flight. Lettering ranges in sizes from 3/16-inch to one inch. Due to the generosity of individuals, organizations and companies worldwide, $10,000 was raised in eight weeks to have Taylor’s name engraved with the largest-sized lettering.
It is rewarding to know that the craft and profession which Taylor started remembers its past by making sure Taylor is not forgotten. The following donors made sure that the Wall of Honor will include a man who deserves to be written in aviation history.
American Airlines M&E, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, TWU Local 562, TWU Local 561, SNAP-ON TOOLS, Aeronautical Repair Station Association, D.O.M. magazine, Mrs. Virginia Hess, Aircraft Technical Publishers, AMT magazine, Baker’s School of Aeronautics, Marlin Priest, Crimson Technical College, Mr. & Mrs. Mike and Karen Brennan, Mrs. Gloria Cosby, Mr. Kerry Dodge, Mr. Chris Violanti, Ms. Sandra Gordon, Mr. John Ruiz, Mr. Murray Thole, Mr. Joe Hawkins, Mr. Andy Little, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Fotoulis, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Hayes, George Sayner/Cindy Tagliapietra, two anonymous donors, Mr. & Mrs. Brett Doran, AMTSociety, Mr. Michael Molzhan/Mr. Jermay Spenser/Mr. Eugene Wells/Ms. Lauren Hurlburt, Mr. Patrick McDevitt, Mr. Russ Dittmer, Mr. Jack Jones, Mr. Russell Peterson, Ms. Tigist Ryals, Ms. Rhonda Fuston, Mr. Joseph Kilfeather, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Banks, Mr. & Mrs. Phil Randall, Mr. Kyle Acuna, Mr. Jimmy Ray/Mr. Questle Davis/Mr. Mark Loetscher/Mr. Michael Morelock/Mr. Peter Guy, Mr. Lane Perry II, Mr. Dennis Pelletier, Mr. Pete Miller, Mr. Andy Curtis, Mr. Roger Martin, Mr. Dale Hasenkamp, Mr. Byron Masters, Mr. Arthur Tobey, Mr. Jim Milardo, Mr. Frank Dudek, Mr. Todd Stranczek, Ms. Jane Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Rick Browning, Mr. Aaron Klippel, Mr. Ken Abeldt, Mr. Tom Hendershot, Mr. David Ostang, Mr. Gary Brossett, Mr. Frank Krznaric, Ms. Lauren Morris, Mr. Kurt Kadel, Ms. Jessica Espinoza, Mr. & Mrs. Rich McNeely, and Mr. Gregory Bowles.
Editor’s note: Ken MacTiernan is the director of AMTA. MacTiernan and AMTA led the effort to get Taylor’s name on the Wall of Honor. D.O.M. and HeliMx magazine staff applauds his ongoing efforts to help educate the general public on the contributions that Taylor made to aviation. For more information on the AMTA, visit www.amtausa.com.