charles e. taylor master mechanic award · 2019. 5. 22. · gary martin, faa field inspector. in...

Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

NEWSLETTER: October 2017

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BJ Teichman, Airport Coordinator - TOB Dave Ruckle, Pilot [email protected] [email protected]

IF you know of someone who would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please have them email me at [email protected]. I will be happy to include them.

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Accomplishment: Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award

A Well-Deserved Award

(L) Award Recipient David H. Allen / (Rt) John Sibole, FAASTeam Program Mgr.

The Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award is an honor presented by the

United States Federal Aviation Administration in honor of Charles Taylor, the first

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]



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aviation mechanic in powered flight. The award recognizes the lifetime

accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics. Taylor served as the Wright

brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for

their first successful aircraft. According to the official FAA website, only 2,408

individuals have been recognized with this very prestigious award since its

inception. One of those recipients is David H. Allen who was presented with this

honor on Thursday, October 12, 2017, during a luncheon at Columbia Aircraft

Services (CAS). Dave is a life-long employee at Columbia Aircraft and has been

with CAS for more than 50 of the company’s 75-year history.

Recipients of this honor must be US citizens and have at least 50 years in aviation

maintenance as a mechanic, repairman, avionics, manager, inspector, or

instructor as long as he/she kept his/her credentials. Also, to be eligible, for a

minimum of 30 years, the applicant must have been an FAA-certified mechanic or

repairman. The remaining 20 years may be accepted if that individual served as a

mechanic in the military or worked in the aviation maintenance or manufacturing

industry.

On May 18, 1966, at the age of 18, Dave started his career at Columbia manning

the engine test cell under the watchful eye of then owner Fred Vietig. In those

days, Columbia’s “bread & butter” was military contracts to rebuild helicopter

engines and IGSO 480 engines for Beech U-8s, turning out on average eight per

week or 1,100 each three -year contract period. Columbia’s payroll included

between 25 and 30 employees throughout those very busy years; names like Carl

Kingston, Dave Lawton, Ben Wittiger, Scott Smith and Shirley Brobst, future CAS

owners, and Bill Bartsler, also a future owner as well as Dave Allen’s mentor.



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Dave credits his aviation mechanical skills mostly to “on the job training.”

Following his hitch in the test cell, Dave moved to the machine shop where he

spent the next three years polishing, honing, and machining the engine parts in

preparation to putting it back together. Then, in the early 1980’s Dave began

rebuilding engines, the job he is so well known and respected for to this day.

The military contracts are over, but Columbia Aircraft Services still crank out an

average of 80 to 100 engines per year with a workforce that’s only one quarter of

what it was at its peak. When asked how many engines he’s put together, Dave

grinned and simply stated as though he couldn’t believe it himself, “couple of

thousand.” If you do the math, that’s almost one per week for 50 years. It

doesn’t take long to figure out which engine manufacturer Dave likes best and if

you ever have the pleasure of talking to him about the subject, he’s sure to tell

you.

Dave may seem like an easy-going guy even when putting an engine together, but

he takes the responsibility of his job very seriously. “The liability is tremendous,”

he stated. “You’ve got to make sure everything is done right.” Then with a

chuckle he will tell you, “But the guarantee ends when you get over the fence.”

The most challenging, but his most preferred duties are putting the case, crank,

pistons, and cylinders together. On the other hand, his least favorite job is

“dressing the engine”. That means after painting it, connecting the hoses and

wires. “No one likes that job,” he added.

In addition to earning the respect of everyone who knows Dave and the quality

work he performs, he has also acquired his Power Plant and Magnaflux-Zyglo

Certificates. Present at the award luncheon were his wife Barbara and daughter,



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Vicki Thomas along with his co-workers and numerous aviation friends.

Presenting the award were John Sibole, FAA-FAASTTeam Program Manager and

Gary Martin, FAA Field Inspector.

In addition to the certificate signed by the FAA Administrator, Dave received a

label pin and a beautiful walnut plague commemorating The Charles Taylor

Master Mechanic Award. Barbara was also awarded a stick pin similar to the label

pin Dave received. Finally, Dave’s name, city and state of residence and month

and year of recognition of the award will be displayed in the Federal Aviation

Building in Washington, D.C.

Dave wears his age well. Most folks find it hard to believe when he tells them

he’s 70 years young. When asked what his plans are for the future, he quickly

replies, “Work! My doctor told me not to sit around.” “Besides,” he added, “I

like to build engines. The boys in the shop don’t want me to retire. Karl wants me

to wait on him. And, Kelly said I can stay as long as I want.” That sure sounds like

job security. Although nobody has done it yet, I wonder what they’ll call an award

for 100 years of service. Just maybe…. The David H. Allen Award.

Submitted by: Dave Ruckle



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From (L) to (Rt) Above, Vicki, Dave’s daughter, wife Barbara, and Gary Martin.

Above, Barbara, Dave receiving Pin, John Sibole, Gary Martin

Left, Barbara and Dave.

Below, Karl (L), co-worker Columbia Aircraft and Dave pause just inside the hangar door prior to the ceremony.



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Above from (L) to (Rt) Stephen, Joe, co-workers, and Kelly, owner of Columbia Aircraft Services enjoy the presentation.

Below, Dave Allen, Charles Taylor Award Recipient in his element.



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MONTHLY PILOT QUIZ – Submitted by Dave Ruckle

Sadly, it has taken me seven years to finally read the POH (Pilot’s Operating Handbook) for my 1980 F33A Beechcraft Bonanza from cover to cover. Yes, shame on me!!!

But, are you now saying to yourself, “Shame on me, too” because you’ve never read your own aircraft’s POH? If you’re not, then I will say it. “Shame on you, too!!!”

Whether you have or have not, take this little test to see how much you remember, if you have read it, or how much you need to know, if you haven’t read it. Either way, it’s a great idea to review this very important manual periodically. It just may S.Y.A. someday!

Oh, the answers to all these questions are found, of course, in your own aircraft’s POH. Now you’re probably asking yourself, “What did I do with that book?”

1. If your aircraft’s engine quits in flight, what is its best glide speed? 2. What does the following Airspeed Limitations mean and what are they in your aircraft?

a. VNE ___KCAS ___KIAS

b. VNO___KCAS ___KIAS

c. VA ___KCAS ___KIAS

d. VFE ___KCAS ___KIAS

e. VS ___KCAS ___KIAS

3. What is your airplane’s Glide Ratio?

4. What do the following Airspeed Indicator markings mean and what are your

Aircraft’s KIAS values or ranges for each marking?

a. White Arc b. Green Arc c. Yellow Arc d. Red line

5. What is your aircraft’s: a. Standard Empty Weight? b. Basic Empty Weight? c. Useful Load? d. Maximum Ramp Weight? e. Maximum Take Off Weight? f. Maximum Landing Weight? g. Tare Weight?

6. How much fuel in your aircraft is unusable? 7. What is recovery procedure in your plane in case of an inadvertent spin? 8. What is the recommended Crosswind Component in your aircraft? 9. Trick Question!!! What is your aircraft’s Best Rate of Climb (VY) and Best Angle of Climb (VX)?

10. What is your aircraft’s Maneuver Speed in turbulence?

This is just a small sampling of information that can be found in your aircraft’s POH. There is so much more. Hopefully this brief test has prompted you to get your POH out, blow off the dust and review

what you need to know to fly safely.



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Recently Completed Events: Fall Private Pilot Ground School

Thank you Phil, for teaching your 3rd Ground School, Pro – Bono. IFR in Feb.? Congratulations to the 3rd Ground School Class – 2 students absent from photo.

Benton Fly In: 21 Oct.

Once again, the flyin has come & gone. The weather was severe VFR with no wind. WE had 150

aircraft, including 5 helicopters, 2 gyrocopters. There was a fair amount of ultra-lights, sport

planes, many classics, home-builts (including an Air Cam), 4 radial engine antiques including

1941 Waco, 3 Stearman PT 17s and all were immaculate, and many other civil aircraft. We had

visitors from every state that surrounds us. Also, we had one family of aviators that drove to

this area on a vacation tour and put Benton flyin on their to do list. They were from Alaska. It

was a safe day of flying at Benton with only 1 or 2 lightly concerning moments. Our car show,

and general parking was full. The amount of meals served was over 800.

I would like to thank everyone who attended and hope to see you next year. (year 10 ) For

those who were unable, I hope it works out better for you next year.

Many hours of happy & safe flying to you.

GP4 Denny

“This fly in was my first to Benton / Very well done – everything ran very smoothly – that’s a

testament to how hard everyone involved worked. Now – for the important question – what is the

recipe for that corn dish served ? It was AWESOME !!! “ Regards Chuck H.



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Benton Fly-In continued:

The food, hospitality, and the desserts brings the pilots and guests to the annual Benton Fly-In held the 3rd Sat. of October each year. Menu: Ham, Baked Corn, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Potatoes, Roles and……………………………………..please look below, the dessert table.

From one end to the other, endless sweets. 40 Fruit Crum Pies, made by Connie, below

For hours, Lee Anne and Lori cut Blueberry, Sour Cherry, Peach, Pumpkin, and other desserts.

My sincere apology to volunteers and servers, whose photo I took but are not represented here. Many of the photos were not in focus, thus did not make this newsletter. I’ll need to sharpen my photography skills for next year. Thanks for inviting us, and for all your hard work! It was truly a day to remember and an opportunity to make memories with family & friends.



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Benton Fly-In continued:

For hours Pam her Farwell Family and volunteers served lunch from 11 AM until a little after 2:00 PM.

The line extended in what seemed to be infinity; way out of the hangar into the grassy area, unable to be seen in photo below due to the glorious sunshine which prevailed all day.

Connie, above, has the secret baked corn recipe, she made 12 trays!

After all that food, and fun it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.



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Brenda, on left:

Relaxed, flying the

friendly skies with Ty.

Columbia Aircraft Services Inc. / (570-784-3070) / [email protected]

Full power plant and A&P mechanic shop.

Fuel Prices: Currently $4.30/ Gallon, subject to change.

Currently accepting most major credit cards.

Hangar News: All hangars are full. –

If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please contact me. [email protected]

Bloomsburg Flying Club Please contact: Adam Staffin: 570-578-7549

Memberships are available [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



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On the Horizon / Save the Date:

Breakfast at N13, on Sunday, Oct. 29th is

RESCHEDULED

For:

Saturday,

November 18th

8:00 AM until Noon

charles e. taylor master mechanic award · 2019. 5. 22. · gary martin, faa field inspector. in...

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