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ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR S.C.R. 1028

Arizona aviation maintenance technician day

Purpose

            Recognizes May 24, 2006 as Arizona Aviation Maintenance Technician Day and honors the life of Charles Edward Taylor.

Background

Aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) use their skill and knowledge to ensure the safe mechanical reliability of general aviation and commercial aviation aircraft. AMTs are often employed by the airlines and perform what is called line maintenance work, which includes routine preventative maintenance between flights at airline terminals and major repairs and periodic inspections at an airline's overhaul base. Many airlines and repair stations require AMTs to have a mechanic's certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with an airframe rating, powerplant rating or both. FAA certificates are issued upon successful completion of the required training from an authorized maintenance training school, which includes oral, written and practical examinations. Arizona law requires certificated aviation maintenance technicians to personally affirm the airworthiness of the aircraft on which they are working by affixing their legal signature in the permanent aircraft maintenance records.

Charles Edward Taylor was born on May 24, 1868. In 1902, Mr. Taylor began working as a machinist for Orville and Wilber Wright at the Wright Cycle Company in Dayton, Ohio.  His efforts enabled the Wright brothers to travel to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina to perform tests in preparation for the first powered flight. In order for the first powered flight to take place, Mr. Taylor designed and fabricated the first aircraft engine in only six weeks, using only hand tools, a lathe, a drill press and his skills and ingenuity. Charles Edward Taylor's became the first AMT when the Wright brothers successfully flew their airplane on December 17, 1903, and he continued to design and build engines for the Wright brothers and served as lead mechanic for Calbraith (Cal) Rodgers, who made the first transcontinental flight in 1911. Mr. Taylor had a successful career in aviation maintenance for more than 60 years and was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration with the establishment of the Charles Edward Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award, which recognizes individuals with 50 years or more as an AMT.

There is no fiscal impact to the state General fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Recognizes May 24, 2006 as Arizona Aviation Maintenance Technician Day to honor the professional women and men who ensure the safety of our airborne aviation infrastructure.

2. Proclaims that the Legislature honors the life and memory of the aviation maintenance technician Charles Edward Taylor, who built and maintained the engine that was used to power the Wright brothers’ first flying machine.

3. Directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the resolution to the Aviation Safety Advisory Group of Arizona.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 8, 2006

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