United Airlines is to award its mechanics with 50 years of service with special honour of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award to celebrate at least 30 years as a certified FAA technician, according to Shipping Gazette.
The award named after Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight, is presented to coincide with National Aircraft Maintenance Technician Day observed May 24.
It has been celebrated since its inception in 1998 after which more than 30 of United's technicians have received the award.
To celebrate these master mechanics, United will install a statue of Charles Taylor at the airline's Chicago O'Hare hub and engrave the bust with the names of each award recipient.
"The commitment to safety and reliability of United's Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award honourees is remarkable," said airline vice president Ken Burt.
"It takes dedication, passion and supreme technical skills to achieve this aviation milestone. We are grateful to have these technicians as a part of the United family."
Charles Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.
United's more than 8,800 aviation technicians work in locations around the world to maintain the airline's fleet of nearly 700 aircraft.
