On the recordMay 23, 2019
in 1902, a little known machinist by the name of Charles Edward Taylor began working for Orville and Wilbur Wright at the Wright Cycle Company in Dayton, OH. Over the course of 6 weeks, using only a metal lathe, drill press, and hand tools, Mr. Taylor built a 12-horsepower engine that was used to power the Wright brothers' first successful aircraft in 1903. Today, Charles Taylor's May 24th birthday is observed as Aviation Maintenance Technician Day to recognize the thousands of men and women who follow in Mr. Taylor's footsteps and fulfill a critical safety role in the U.S. aviation industry. Whether maintaining military, commercial, general aviation, private, space, or experimental aircraft, aviation maintenance technicians use their specialized knowledge and skillset to ensure that all aircraft are safe and reliable. I want to thank aviation maintenance technicians across Illinois and throughout the Nation for their hard work and dedication. Their expertise and integrity ensures the U.S. aviation system will remain the safest and most reliable in the world. ____________________
