Robert M. Werkmeister, assistant professor of aviation at Pennsylvania College of Technology, accepted the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award at a recent Federal Aviation Administration safety seminar in Mechanicsburg.
The award was bestowed on Werkmeister in front of more than 100 aviation-maintenance professionals, including many aviation faculty and alumni from Penn College and its predecessor institutions.
The award, named in honor of the first aviation mechanic in powered flight, recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aircraft mechanics with at least 50 years in aviation maintenance. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.
Werkmeister began his career in 1955 with the Air Force. Since graduating in 1959 from the aviation program at Williamsport Technical Institute, he has worked as an aircraft mechanic, supervisor, inspector, director of maintenance, director of operations, corporate pilot and maintenance instructor – all at the Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville.
His name, city and state will be listed with other award recipients on a "Roll of Honor" in the Federal Aviation Building, Washington, D.C.
For more information about aviation majors in the School of Transportation Technology, call (570) 327-4516, send e-mail or visit online.
Photos by William F. Stepp, associate professor of aviation