U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award Date: 7/2/10 Initiated by: AFS-350 AC No: AC 65-26D Change: 1
1. PURPOSE. This revised advisory circular (AC) clarifies the administrative procedures to ensure that applications for the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award are properly submitted and processed. This revision also outlines procedures to ensure that an award recipient’s information is submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Team (FAASTeam) National Resource Center (NRC) for inclusion in the “Roll of Honor” found on FAASafety.gov.
2. CANCELLATION. AC 65-26C, Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award, dated December 20, 2004, is canceled.
3. DESCRIPTION. The Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to persons certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65. This award is named after Charles Taylor, the first aircraft mechanic, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years in the aircraft maintenance profession as “master mechanics.” A distinctive certificate mounted on a presentation plaque and lapel pin is issued after application review and eligibility requirements have been met. The certificate is signed by the FAA Administrator.
Upon request, a stickpin similar in design to the lapel pin is also provided to the award recipient’s spouse in recognition of his or her support to the recipient’s aviation maintenance career. Once the award has been issued, the recipient’s name, city and state will be added to a published “Roll of Honor,” located at http://FAASafety.gov.
4. ELIGIBILITY. The candidate must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” award:
a. Citizenship. Be a U.S. citizen.
b. Employment. Worked for a period of 50 years in an aviation maintenance career. (The 50 years may be computed consecutively or non-consecutively.)
(1) The applicant must have been an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman working on N-registered aircraft maintained under the Federal aviation regulations for a minimum of 30 of the 50 years required.
(2) The remaining 20 years may be accepted if that individual served as an aircraft mechanic/repairman in the U.S. military; or worked as an uncertificated person in a U.S. aviation maintenance facility that maintained U.S.-registered aircraft, either domestic or overseas; or
Page 2 Par 4 worked as an uncertificated person in the aircraft manufacturing industry in the United States, producing U.S. type-certificated or U.S. military aircraft.
NOTE: Any individual who had his or her FAA mechanic certificate, FAA repairman certificate, FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME), or FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) revoked by the FAA is ineligible for this award.
5. APPLICATION SUBMISSION. Any person who meets the eligibility requirements, or a sponsor on behalf of the eligible person, may apply for the award by creating an application package consisting of the attached application (Appendix 1), along with items a – c, listed below.
The package should be sent to the Airworthiness FAASTeam Program Manager (FPM) responsible for the area in which the applicant resides, or the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), certificate management office (CMO), or International Field Office (IFO). If the application package is sent to a FSDO, CMO, or IFO, it will be the office managers’ responsibility to forward the application package to the appropriate Airworthiness FPM.
a. Résumé. Résumé of the applicant’s aviation maintenance employment history. The résumé can list employment by weeks, months, or years, as long as the total work experience in aviation maintenance adds up to 50 years.
b. Certificate(s). A photocopy of the applicant’s airframe/powerplant or repairman certificate or certificates.
c. Letter(s) of Recommendation. One or more letters of recommendation from certificated mechanics or repairmen recommending the applicant for the award. As a minimum, provide information as per attached sample (Appendix 2).
6. REVIEW PROCEDURES.
a. Application Verification. The Airworthiness FPM will ensure that the application package is complete and that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements listed within this AC. Verification of eligibility is performed by obtaining initial certification information through the FAA Airman Certification Branch (AFS-760). A review of the enforcement investigation database for revocation should be initiated. Additional information or an interview by the FPM may be necessary to verify a nominee’s qualifications. The area regional FAASTeam Manager will be the final approval authority.
b. Award Limit. There is no limit to the number of awards that may be issued during a year.
c. Posthumous Presentation. The award may be presented posthumously up to 3 years, if the nominee had acquired the 50 years prior to passing away.
d. Award Certificate and Pin. The FPM will obtain the award certificate, mounted on a presentation plaque, and the appropriate pin(s) through procedures outlined in the appropriate chapter of the FAA Safety Team Program Manager’s Handbook, Order 8740.1 (current edition).
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7. ISSUING THE AWARD.
a. Presentation. The appropriate FPM will contact the applicant or sponsor to schedule the award presentation. The FPM should try to arrange a public presentation at a suitable FAA or industry function. A prime presentation date would be May 24th, the day designated for Charles Taylor recognition. The FPM should request the regional FAASTeam Manager, his/her assistant, area FSDO Manager, or a higher level FAA Flight Standards Manager be available for the presentation. However, the FPM may present the award if management is unable to participate.
b. Roll of Honor. The Airworthiness FPM will notify the FAASTeam NRC via e-mail or fax that a Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award has been issued. The e-mail or fax notification must include the award recipient’s name, certificate number, city and state where he or she resides. The FAASTeam Charles Taylor award coordinator will update the electronic version of the “Roll of Honor” within 30 working days from the receipt of the e-mail or fax.
John M. Allen Director, Flight Standards Service
Appendix 1 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 1. CHARLES E. TAYLOR “MASTER MECHANIC” AWARD
APPLICATION FORM
1) Nominee’s full name: _______________________________________________________
2) Nominee’s Current Address: _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________
3) Nominee’s Contact Telephone #(’s): ___________________________________________
4) Airframe and Powerplant Certificate #__________________________________________
5) Repairman certificate #(’s): __________________________________________________
6) Beginning date of aviation career:__________Certificated Date: _____________________
7) U.S. citizen? Yes____ No____
8) Has the nominee’s FAA mechanic/repairman certificate, DME or IA ever been revoked?
Yes____ No____
9) To establish the period of 50 years of experience in the aviation maintenance field, please attach an aviation resume or a summary of the nominee’s employment activity covering the award period.
Attached: Yes____ No____
10) Please attach letter or letters of recommendation from other certificated mechanics that can attest to aviation work and character.
Attached: Yes____ No____
11) Name of Spouse, if living: __________________________________________________ Nominator’s (sponsor’s) Name, if not same person: ________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Telephone #(’s):_______________________________________________________ E-mail Address: _____________________________________________________________ Please forward this nomination package to your nearest FAASTeam Program Manager for processing: Your Area FAASTeam Program Manager’s name and contact information can be located at FAASafety.gov
Appendix 2 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 2. CHARLES E. TAYLOR “MASTER MECHANIC” AWARD Charles Taylor Nominee
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Date:________________
To: Nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office or FAASafety Team Program Manager Address
Attn: FSDO Manager or FAASafety Team Program Manager
I have known_________________________________for______years and highly recommend Nominee’s Name him/her for the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award. He/she has always performed in a professional manner and provided dedication to the aviation maintenance field for the required 50 years.
My knowledge and association with Mr./Ms.________________________consists of (state affiliation, such as work associate, personal business, friendship, etc) ________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
I hold a_________________certificate under number_____________________________.
Respectfully submitted,
Signature Above
Printed Name: ____________________________ Address: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
E-mail Address: ____________________________ Phone #’s: Work: _______________________ Home:________________________