Something special happened in a tiny corner of an Orlando convention center last week, but it likely went unnoticed if you’re not an airline & aviation junkie. For a guy like myself who was bitten, or perhaps more accurately, smitten with the aviation bug in 8th grade, this was indeed a poignant moment.

First, a bit of backstory. Over a decade ago, I heard aircraft mechanic and former NTSB member John Goglia speak at an industry conference. His passion immediately evident in his lingering Boston accent, I recall thinking “I really want to meet this guy, he’s well respected by literally everyone in the room, I am going to figure out a way to meet him”.

Perseverance and hard work creates luck, which led to me to enjoying a few drinks with John at a local bar last week after working on a project* with him. For those who’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him, he’s a soft-spoken rockstar in the industry who wears his heart on his sleeve and loves sharing stories about his biggest successes. When he shares the many accomplishments near and dear to his heart, most of which revolve around mentoring those involved in aviation and creating unique opportunities for military families, tears of happiness well in his eyes and often trigger the waterworks for those listening...consider that fair warning.

On Thursday, John received the Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award. For those unfamiliar with the honor, it’s the aviation equivalent of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Federal Aviation Administration after fifty (as in Five-Zero) years of service. John’s service has ranged from being a hands-on aircraft mechanic to an appointment by former President Clinton to the National Transportation Safety Board. Given all of the close relationships and respect that John has garnered throughout the years, the event brought family, friends and a range of professional colleagues, all extremely well respected in their own right. And, since it was John, there were lots of tears.

Shortly after John was presented with the award, a young lady’s name was called to receive the Charles E. Taylor AMT Student Award. Shayna Neumann, an aircraft support mechanic for Delta Air Lines (not yet an A&P) proudly strode up to the stage wearing a distinctive tool pouch on her hip, the same one worn throughout the preceding two day Aerospace Maintenance Competition. She’s well on her way to becoming an FAA certificated aircraft mechanic who will undoubtedly excel in whatever path she chooses, and that tool pouch resting at her side might soon draw your attention to her as she handles technical issues before your flight departs.

Shayna and virtually ALL of the aircraft mechanics and engineers who competed last week displayed a tremendous sense of pride, professionalism and a camaraderie that extends literally across the world. (Shout out to the Australians, there’s always room for one more Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!!!!!!)

It’s that kind of outwardly displayed passion that fuels, sparks and ignites the interest of young folks who want to pursue something more than a mere job, those who want to be part of something unique and cool beyond belief. That exists in aviation, because after all, we enable flight!!

As an industry, and perhaps more importantly as a global community, we need to connect the old school and experienced Johns and up-and-coming Shaynas with the hundreds of thousands of high school and college students across the world who are searching for that “something more”.

So to John, thank you for your leadership, for being that shining example for all of us to follow and for wearing your heart on your sleeve.

To Shayna, thank you (and your peers) for displaying the characteristics that will attract the next generation of aircraft maintenance professionals and for so proudly wearing your tools on your hip.

And a heartfelt thank you to the rest of you, all of the aircraft maintenance professionals who work behind the scenes and who are behind every single flight.

*Assorted videos from the 2017 Aerospace Maintenance Competition can be viewed at engio.mx







