As an aviation recruiter, I spend the majority of my day helping people take the next great step in their careers. I love facilitating the joyful celebration of embarking on a new employment adventure. There is just nothing like the nervous excitement of the unknown: new co-workers, a new location, a new job description and a new direct deposit number.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about what happens when there is no more “new” to conquer. Knowing that Father Time is coming for us all (and he is undefeated), we all must acknowledge the inevitability of retirement.
How does it feel to put a cap on a career and face the thudding finality of our working life mortality?
As a person who is close to the halfway point in my journey, I find these types of topics endlessly interesting.
Much to my delight, I’ve discovered an accessibility to some genuinely good people who have trailblazed for an entire career in aviation maintenance. Giants in our industry can look back on the sturdiest of legacies, in both accomplishments and character, and remain humble in service to the workforce that they helped create.
In Search of Aviation Giants
I find myself drawn to aviation leaders, seeking wisdom and a wonderfully balanced perspective that can only be earned in the decades that make up a career. Here I will share some thoughts from two of them in the maintenance industry: Patrick Delahoussaye and Marlin Priest.
Both of these gentlemen were kind enough to spend some time with me recently, inviting my questions and conversation. I thoroughly enjoyed these talks and I left each meeting awed, inspired and grateful.
In thinking about connecting with those far more experienced than I, it occurred to me to begin with those heralded by the FAA.
In 1993, the Administrator created the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, to recognize career technicians of the highest caliber. This award is named after the Wright Brothers’ mechanic, Mr. Charles Taylor. He was the designer, inventor and builder of the first aircraft engine, an often-overlooked architect of powered flight.
Recipients of the Master Mechanic award are peer-nominated and qualify by demonstrating 50 or more years of service to civil or military aircraft maintenance. These honorees must be currently certificated and have no revocations on their record.
As you would imagine, this distinguished list serves as a living history of the modern aircraft maintenance industry. I figured this would be as good a place as any to start mining for gold, offering these legends a forum at a time when we need to heed the lessons of greatness.
Legacy of Excellence: Meeting Charles Taylor Award Honorees
The first name on the list of honorees that I recognized was Patrick Delahoussaye.
Well known in the business aviation industry, Patrick is a true gentleman whose legacy is respected across generations. His commitment and energy are palpable. He remains active and involved, guided by a lifelong passion for our collective ideals.
Patrick led me to Marlin Priest, another titan of business aviation and fellow recipient of the coveted award.
After helping to create the modern-day NBAA Maintenance Committee, Marlin served as chair and then worked to expand its training subcommittee. He remains passionate about training today, serving on the advisory board for the Alabama community college system, representing aviation. Marlin assisted in growing an approved part 147 A&P program and helped develop a dual enrollment program, in partnership with an aviation museum.
In both cases, these pioneers exhibit an enduring desire to lead, influence and improve our beloved industry. Their passion burns as bright as ever.
One conversation was enough to inspire me to do more and be better. While impossible to share here the breadth of our discussions, I’ve included a few snippets of wisdom that I think we can all benefit from.
On Mentorship
Marlin Priest: “I’m a baby boomer. I’ve got gray hair. At one time, I had five generations in my shop. I told the older guys: ‘[New Technicians] are young and teachable. Rather than criticize, invest. You are a walking, talking encyclopedia of aviation! Pour that into each tech, and at some point, they’re going to get it. If they have a teachable mind and want to learn, we teach ‘em, train ‘em and educate ‘em.’”
On Diversity in the Maintenance Industry
Marlin Priest: “Some of the rock star techs I’ve seen are young ladies who just get it, and they are doing great. We have young ladies enrolled in our dual enrollment program, and we really push them. It’s not a man’s industry anymore. [Also], the Birmingham City Schools are [racially diverse] and we encourage that. I care about your character, your ability and your willingness to work. This industry will walk beside you and we will help you. We want this program to be a launching pad to get kids into a degree program and industry where they can make a good living and enjoy what they do.”
Patrick Delahoussaye: “We look forward to girls in A&P schools. Tons of them! Some of the best mechanics I ever met in my life were [female A&P mechanics] that came to the NBAA Maintenance Committee meetings.” He also described a need to reach young women in high schools and speak to them about aircraft maintenance.
On the Part 147 School Pipeline
Marlin Priest: “We polled our Community College system and probably 30% of the graduates didn’t even take the [A&P written exam]. They got sucked into other industries. No wonder we can’t keep A&Ps!”
Patrick Delahoussaye: “I went to a university to [talk to students about aviation].” After discovering table after table full of A&P students who never planned to get into aviation because they had been offered high-paying jobs in other industries, Patrick says, “It’s still the same way today. Too many A&P students are going to school for money, not because they love aviation.”
On Learning from Mistakes
Patrick Delahoussaye: “After an NBAA Maintenance Committee meeting, about 7 or 8 of us went out and we had a contest at the table to see who could admit the largest mistake made in aviation. First off, to get A&Ps to admit a mistake, you have to have been trained to do that. That was a fun night. We talked about that the next day, about how we don’t discuss those issues. We’re ashamed of them and we shouldn’t be! We all make mistakes; we’re human, right?”
Seeking Wisdom
These are just a few of the gems that I picked out of our illuminating conversations. I cannot get enough of sharing stories and conversations that are as important and relevant today as they were decades ago.
I encourage all of you to seek the wisdom that others have gained through experience. As aircraft mechanics, we don’t do this nearly enough.
As we all strive and struggle to reconcile all the issues that our industry faces today, we forget to cede the floor to those who have already discovered the answers that we seek. We stand at the top of the pyramid, wondering how it was built. In many cases, the builders are still here, approachable and willing to share… all we have to do is ask.
Let’s not let this valuable, hard-earned experience fade away with time. Prepare to let go of unfair generalizations regarding what we think we know about previous generations. You’ll be surprised by how much we have in common.
More About Charles Taylor
-
- Many consider Charles Taylor the father of aviation—a title that underscores the vital role of technical expertise.
-
- In 2007, the U.S. began recognizing Aviation Maintenance Technician Day on May 24th, Taylor’s birthday. The day honors the professionals who keep our aviation system safe and secure, and recognizes Taylor’s life and contributions.
-
- In 2005, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University renamed its Daytona Beach maintenance program the Charles Taylor Department of Aviation Maintenance Science.
-
- In 1965, the National Aviation Hall of Fame inducted Taylor posthumously, recognizing his foundational impact on aviation.
-
- The FAA chose to feature Taylor’s image, rather than the Wright Brothers ‘, on its mechanic certificates, emphasizing his pioneering contributions.
-
- Taylor built the first successful aircraft engine by hand in just six weeks, using basic tools and no formal engineering training.
-
- He served as the Wright Brothers’ mechanic and continued to support their ventures long after their first flight.
-
- During World War I, the U.S. government recruited Taylor to help design and oversee military aircraft engine production.