From a young enlisted helicopter mechanic and crew chief in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War to now an airbase lead mechanic for Air Methods, Thomas “TJ” Hall will be recognized for his nearly 50 years of service as the 2019 recipient of the Rolls-Royce Excellence in Helicopter Maintenance Award. To be presented during HAI’s Salute to Excellence Awards luncheon on March 6, the award recognizes long-standing excellence in helicopter maintenance, maintenance instruction, or supervision, or a single significant contribution to helicopter maintenance.

Following 12 years in the U.S. Marines that involved multiple overseas deployments, Hall joined the civil side of helicopter maintenance, obtaining an A&P license and working for Burnside-Ott as a contractor at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

He shifted into the petroleum industry, taking a job with ERA Helicopters in Louisiana. In 1992 Hall moved into to the air ambulance field with Air Methods and has been there ever since.

During his nearly 30-year career with Air Methods, Hall has served as lead mechanic at three different bases and has served as program aviation manager and Southeastern regional area maintenance manager. But after a decade of program and maintenance management, he wanted to return to “the line,” serving as a traveling relief mechanic before becoming base lead mechanic.

HAI credited Hall’s insight both as a mechanic and a leader as having “a tremendously positive effect on Air Methods programs,” and noted his willingness to help out when needed. Most recently, Hall volunteered as a mechanic for the FEMA recovery during Hurricane Florence.