The Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award is presented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This award is presented to mechanics with both 50 years in aviation maintenance and 30 years FAA certified. Charles E. Taylor built the first aircraft engine used by the Wright Brothers in 1903. In addition, Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) day is May 24, his birthday. On this day, AMTs are celebrated everywhere for their challenging work and dedication to the aviation industry.
This year, Aviation Institute of Maintenance –Norfolk instructor Ken Wiley was awarded the Charles E. Taylor award on AMT Day in front of his family, students, and fellow instructors. Ken Wiley has been an AIM instructor since 2008, however his experience in the industry goes back half a century. His experience started as an apprentice aircraft mechanic in 1971 at the Naval Air Rework Facility in Norfolk, Virginia. After graduating from the apprentice program in 1975, he worked his way up the ranks and became a lead aircraft mechanic, and later an Aircraft Engineering Technician at the Naval Air Rework Facility.
In 1984, Wiley earned an FAA commercial pilot certificate with Instrument rating. In addition to serving at the Naval Air Rework Facility, he worked part time as a jump plane pilot at Suffolk Sky Sports in Suffolk, Virginia, taking skydivers up for parachute jumps. In 2003, he earned his FAA Private Pilot Certificate. His work as an aviation mechanic has brought him up and down the east coast as far as Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. In Mayport, Wiley provided technical support to Seahawk Helicopter operating squadrons.
After retiring from government service in 2008, Wiley returned to Hampton Roads to AIM and has consistently inspired students with his extensive knowledge and experience in the industry. More recently, Wiley earned a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (drone pilot) in 2017. Ken Wiley’s career in aviation came full circle when he received the highest honor for maintenance technicians. Instructors like Ken Wiley offer students an example of where a career in aviation can truly take you.
