An aircraft has a mechanical discrepancy and the man,
or woman, you call is a skilled, trained Aircraft Maintenance
Technician, AMT. This professional investigates the fault
and before you know it the problem is solved, the logbook
is signed off and the aircraft is returned to airworthy
status. This scenario happens countless times at airports
around the world 7/24, 365 days a year. This scenario,
regardless of the severity of the discrepancy, does not
differentiate between military, commercial, corporate,
government or general aviation aircraft. An aircraft is
a technical piece of equipment and the men and women who
work on these modern marvels of engineering are for the
most part taken for granted. Everybody knows that the
AMT is skilled, knowledgeable and professional. But does
everybody know where these AMTs came from? Do they wonder
who started the craft of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician?
Where did the origins of the basic principles of this
demanding profession originate?
The world knows about mankind's first controlled, powered
flight. Both Orville and Wilbur Wright are household names
because their imagination and technical abilities allowed
them to lay claim to the first manned powered flight.
A rather impressive feather to have in one's cap. But
who helped them achieve this milestone in mankind's history?
Unfortunately, the world knows little of the man that
helped the Wright brothers and our country achieve this
point in aviation's history. This man was Charles E. Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a self-taught midwestern mechanic, who
worked for the Wright brothers in their bicycle shop.
Charlie is considered the "unsung hero" of aviation
because he was asked to build the first engines for the
Wright Flyer. He met specifications that required that
the engine should produce 8 brake horsepower and not weigh
more than 200 pounds. Asked if he could produce such an
engine, Charles E. Taylor simply replied, "Yes."
In roughly six weeks, working with a block of steel,
the bicycle shop's lathe, drill press and some simple
hand tools, history would be made. Because of the knowledge,
skill and integrity Mr. Taylor possessed, the Wright Glider
would become the Wright Flyer. Ohio and North Carolina
would be the base from which mankind would take the first
manned, controlled, powered flight.
On December 17, 1903 when the Wright's took their first
step into aviation's history Charlie was not there. No,
he was back in the bicycle shop "minding the store".
Charlie knew his engine would work and stayed behind.
But little do people know that Charlie made more than
the first engines for the Wright Flyer. His skill was
also used in manufacturing, and repairing, many of the
components for the Flyer itself. One example is when Charlie
repaired the propeller shafts, after screws were jerked
loose, by using heavier gauge steel tubing. When parts
needed attention that could not be addressed on the Kitty
Hawk site these parts were sent back to Charlie in the
bicycle shop for repair.
After the Wright's successful flight Charlie's knowledge,
skill and integrity were needed even more. The Wright's
would eventually need a larger engine, which of course
was a task given to Charles E. Taylor. After necessary
changes were made to new engine castings Charlie built
the 1904 engine with cylinders 1/8 inch thicker.
After the "problem" of flight was conquered
an area was needed for these machines to operate and improve
one that was closer to the Ohio bicycle shop than North
Carolina. It was then that 100 acres of prairie north
of Dayton, which is now part of Wright- Patterson Air
Force Base, called Huffman Prairie after it's owner, became
the first airport. But a prairie wasn't the ideal local
for an aircraft with barbed wire fences, grassy hummocks
and such all around. At this point in time it is once
again Charles E. Taylor who assumes the responsibilities
of an airport manager and getting things done. He dealt
with unique problems. One example of which was the assembling
and maintaining of a shed, or early day hangar in which
the first Wright aircraft could be stored.
After twice being ignored by the United States government
to examine their machine with a view towards possible
military applications the Wright brothers decided to take
their new invention to Europe. They once again turned
to their "aircraft mechanic" who was given the
responsibility of crating the Wright Flyer for shipment
across the globe to both England and France. This task
was accomplished in a shed and then shipped to the east
coast by train. After the Wright Flyer made the journey
to Europe it was again Charles E. Taylor who was responsible
for assembling the craft.
After the Wright's returned back to the United States
Calbraith Perry (Cal) Rodgers, grandson of Commodore Calbraith
Perry whose "gunboat diplomacy" opened Japan
to the West, decided to attempt to make a transcontinental
flight. It is once again that Charlie is looked at to
be Cal's chief mechanic for this historic attempt in aviation.
But before working for Cal on the "Vin - Fiz Flyer",
named after the first bottled grape drink of Cal's sponsor
for this event, Charlie checked with the Wright's because
with so few Wright aircraft around Charlie's knowledge
was crucial to have around. Orville and Wilbur consented
to give Charlie a leave of absence.
Participating in such a historic achievement, one would
think that Charles E. Taylor's name would be mentioned
in the same breath and sentence with Orville and Wilbur
Wright. But such is not the case. Although the Wright's
gave credit to Charlie for his contribution, he never
searched for the limelight or to cash in on his notoriety.
He had a job to do and he did it. Just like today's AMTs.
With the death of the Wright brothers and the rapid growth
in both engine and airframe technology, Charles E. Taylor
simply became a forgotten name. He became aviation's original
"Unsung Hero".
After 100 years of controlled, powered flight it is time
that Charles E. Taylor be remembered and recognised for
what he did and in turn today's Aircraft Maintenance Technicians
for what they do. One organisation out there that is trying
to educate the public about Charles E. Taylor's proud
place in aviation's history and the men and women who
have followed in his footsteps is the Aircraft Maintenance
Technicians Association, AMTA. The AMTA is a non-profit
organisation and is open to all with a love of aviation.
Their web site is www.AMTAUSA.com. Some of the ways the
AMTA is helping Charlie be remembered for his contributions
is by donating bronze busts of his likeness at aerospace
museums across the country. They have already donated
one to the San Diego Aerospace Museum and plan another
for the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum as
well as the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
The AMTA has a program they call the "Faces Behind
Safety" program where they highlight AMTs from across
the industry on their web site so the public can see and
read about today's AMTs and how they follow in Charlie's
footsteps.
With the leadership of Richard Dilbeck, FAA Aviation
Safety Program Manager Airworthiness, resolutions are
being passed that recognise May 24th of each year as Aviation
Maintenance Technician Day. This is in honor of Charles
E. Taylor's birthday. Thanks to Mr. Dilbeck the State
of California was the first to pass a resolution and now
there are 30 with more in the process of being passed.
A National Resolution is under way thanks in large part
to PAMA and their President Brian Finnegan. With this
day set aside as a day to honor Charles E. Taylor, and
today's AMTs, recognition is forth coming.
Last year Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona
Beach Florida renamed their maintenance program to the
Charles Taylor Department of Aviation Maintenance Science
in honor of Mr. Taylor and dedicated a bronze bust of
Charlie during a daytime barbeque and night time formal
dinner. This was done in large part thanks to the determination
of Aviation Maintenance Science Chairman Fred Mirgle.
Frontier Airlines, under the guidance of Tom Hendershot,
celebrates May 24th by sponsoring barbeques for their
AMTs across their system. And last year the AMTA held
their first AMT Day Celebration at Spanish Landing in
San Diego, CA.
There is also a very informative book on Charles E.
Taylor written by Howard R. DuFour titled "Charles
E. Taylor: The Wright Brothers Mechanician". This
book talks about not only what Charlie did for aviation
but also about his colourful life. It is a must for any
aviation enthusiast's library.
The F.A.A. has a program called the Charles E. Taylor
Master Mechanic Award. This is where an Aircraft Maintenance
Technician who has a minimum of 50 years in aviation,
has been licensed for at 30 of those years, has never
had his license revoked or negative action taken against
them is recognised for their contributions to aviation.
But to be considered for this prestigious award an individual
must be nominated by three separate people in writing
detailing the reasons the person deserves an award named
after the "Father of Aircraft Maintenance".
So, the next time an aircraft has a mechanical discrepancy
and the man or woman you call to inspect and repair the
faulting system remember who this person is and where
they come from. They follow in the footsteps of a man
that by his very nature looked at his craft with respect
and passion. They use knowledge, skill and integrity as
the basis for their craft. They do not look for notoriety
or the spot light. They carry a great responsibility that
is passed on from generation to generation. They are Aircraft
Maintenance Technicians! Thanks to Charles E. Taylor!
