Cass County aviators awarded master pilot awards

Wilbur and Orville Wright aimed for the sky nearly 122 years ago and made the first successful flight in recorded human history.

Their mechanic, Charlie Taylor, was a self-taught mechanic who made a crucial contribution to the Wright brothers’ invention of the airplane.

Last Friday, the Little Rock FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), in partnership with Texarkana College’s Aviation Technology program, hosted a special ceremony to present the esteemed Wright Brothers Master Pilot and Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Awards.

Underneath the shadow of the Texarkana College Department of Aviation Hangar, local pilots and mechanics were honored for their remarkable contributions to aviation.

The ceremony itself was led by Jamie Black who is the FAASTeam Program Manager at the Little Rock Flight Standards District Office.

The six Cass County recipients were joined by family, friends and a whole squadron of other folks.

The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award honors pilots with 50 or more years of piloting experience or combined expertise in piloting and aircraft operations.

Of course, this award was named after Orville and Wilbur Wright. This award celebrates their legacy of innova-

Gary Walker was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and is pictured with grandsons Sawyer and Sammy.

tion and the development of aircraft controls that made fixed-wing flight possible.

Recipients of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award were Jim Collom, Randy Williams, Tevis Pappas, Gary Walker and Jerry Browning.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes senior mechanics with 50 or more years of civil and military maintenance experience.

Named after Charles Taylor, the Wright brothers’ mechanic who designed and built the engine for their first successful aircraft, this award acknowledges a lifetime of excellence in aviation maintenance, a tradition proudly upheld by Texarkana Regional Airport, the premiere maintenance relief airport.

Recipients of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award were Jim Collom, Randy Williams and Perry Hodgson.

“We are honored to celebrate these outstanding individuals whose contributions reflect the excellence synonymous with Texarkana Regional Airport, the premiere maintenance relief airport,” said Black.

“Their achievements inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, including the students from Texarkana College, who are training to carry forward this proud tradition.”