Recent aviation retiree honored with prestigious FAA award

A recent retiree from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s faculty has been honored with an award named for the first aviation mechanic in powered flight.

On May 6 at the college’s Lumley Aviation Center in Montoursville, the Federal Aviation Administration presented the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award to James E. Doebler.

The award – named for the Wright Brothers’ mechanic – is earned by airmen who have exhibited professionalism, skill and expertise for at least 50 years in the aviation maintenance profession. 

Doebler earned his first aviation mechanic certificate in 1965 at Williamsport Technical Institute, the earliest forerunner to Penn College. From 1966-69, he served as a commissioned officer in the Army Ordinance Corps, with responsibility for quality control in the CH-47 Chinook helicopter rebuilding program at New Cumberland Army Depot.

From 1969-80, he was employed as an aircraft mechanic and shop supervisor by King Air at the Williamsport Airport and at Towanda Aviation. In 1980, he joined the Williamsport Area Community College (Penn College’s immediate predecessor institution) as an instructor in its aircraft maintenance program and, from 1984-88, was employed by Lycoming Engines in Williamsport as a technical instructor for piston and turbine engines.

A faculty member since 1988, Doebler retired this year as an associate professor in the college’s Aviation Department, serving as its head for 18 years.

From 1980 until 2015, he was designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Maintenance Examiner, during which time he tested over 1,100 Aviation Maintenance Technician applicants.

Doebler resides in Muncy Valley with his wife, the former Randi K. DeWees.

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