Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award - Bob Arata

[Fred Cronenwett]

Bob Arata from the Lafayette Esquadrille CL club here in St Louis received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award last night from the FAA. This special award from the FAA honors the Master Mechanics that keep full size airplanes flying in top shape.

https://www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterMechanic/ViewRecipient.aspx?id=2278

Charles Taylor was the Mechanic that helped Wilbur and Orville Wright get the airplane flying at Kitty Hawk in 1903. He was also the guy who made the engine for the Wright Flyer along other parts on the plane

Congratulations Bob for winning the award and Lafayette Esquadrille is very proud to have in the club!

Fred

[Bill Johnson]

Very nice. 18 more years to go for me. Hope I make it that long!

[john e. holliday]

Congrats to Bob.   I never knew what he did for a career.   

[Chris McMillin]

Congratulations Bob!
Chris...

[john ohnimus]

Congrats Bob!!!

 Fellow maintainer (Aircraft Mechanic) here, that award is for 50 Years of service to the industry!!!!

Quite an achievement!!!

[Fred Cronenwett]

That is the first time I have seen him in a suit, there were several members from the CL there at the Ceremony.

Fred

[Dan McEntee]

  DANG! I really wanted to attend the presentation, but lost track of time. Sean was here with his family on pre-deployment leave and it slipped my mind. Bob has been a good friend and rock solid member of the club for as long as I can remember. Not many people spend 50 years at one form of employment, and Bob was very good at his craft, which in recent years had been radio and electronic installations. I believe he holds a full A&P ticket and had a private pilots license as well. A great guy and well deserving of the recognition.
   Congratulations Bob!
   Dan McEntee

[Crist Rigotti]

Fellow A&P here.  Congrats to Bob.  I never knew that he was an A&P!  At least I don't remember knowing that. Quite an achievement.