The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) is asking the entire aviation community to call their Congressional representatives and ask for their support of House Resolution 586 (108th Congress). It calls for May 24 to be designated as National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, giving national recognition to Charlie Taylor, builder of the engine that carried the Wright Flyer on the first controlled powered flight more than 100 years ago.

“This will bring much deserved honor to Mr. Taylor and the many professional women and men who walk in his shoes every day on flight lines and in hangars across the country and around the world,” said Brian Finnegan, PAMA president.

“The dawn of our second century of powered flight must bring new understanding of and respect for the aviation maintenance professional. The vital role of these certified and experienced airworthiness experts must be constantly communicated and recognized. To do this, it is essential that the flying public and our industry comprehend and recognize the role maintenance professionals play in balancing the aviation safety equation. Today’s maintenance professional is the unsung hero of modern aviation,” he added.

More than 30 states have created their own local AMT Day, largely because of the efforts of Richard “Dilly” Dilbeck, FAA safety program manager at the Sacramento FSDO.

“We have worked hard and, while we do have a number of co-sponsoring congressmen already, we need many more to achieve our goal,” said John Goglia, PAMA senior vice president of government and technical programs. “Please take a few minutes to help us bring Charlie and all aviation mechanics their long overdue recognition.”