One of our own, a local aviation legend, and all-around great guy, was recently honored with not one but two lifetime Master Federal Aviation Administration awards.
As local pilots, aviation support staff, and friends and family gathered in the Pioneer Igloo, Terry Kennedy walked in helping to carry a tray of cooked meat, not understanding that we were all gathered together to honor him. He almost got away until his son Jared grabbed him at the door and ushered him inside thru the well-wishers.
As the realization that we were gathered to congratulate him started to creep across his face, a slight blush rose on his neck. Terry M. Kennedy was being honored with two Lifetime Achievement Awards. Dear friend and fellow pilot Mark Frohnapfel had nominated Terry to receive both the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and today we were all gathered to watch Gary Stears from the FAA present these honors to Terry. With nearly 60 years of continuous involvement in aviation maintenance and over half a century as an FAA-certified mechanic, this award solidifies what Cordovans already know, that Terry needs to be recognized.
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to persons certificated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65. This award, named after Charles Taylor, is to recognize individuals who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years or more of aviation maintenance experience. A distinctive certificate, and the airman’s Blue-Ribbon package is issued after application review and eligibility requirements have been met. Once the award has been issued, the recipient’s name, city and state will be added to a published “Roll of Honor,” located at https://www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterMechanic/RecipientList.aspx.
To be eligible for the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate.
- Have 50 or more years of civil and military piloting experience or 50 or more years combined experience in both piloting and aircraft operations.
- Up to 20 years of the required 50 years may be U.S. military experience.
- The effective start date for the 50 years is the date of the nominee’s first solo flight or military equivalent.
- The 50 years may be computed consecutively or non-consecutively.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have NOT had any airman certificate revoked. Revocation of any airman certificate will disqualify a nominee for this award.
As Mark read the application biographies to the room, the air was full of respect and appreciation.
“His work has become a cornerstone of aviation reliability and safety in one of the most demanding flying environments in the country,” said Cordova’s Mark Frohnapfel. “To this day he continues to mentor numerous young aviation technicians, providing hands-on training and imparting his vast knowledge of aircraft systems, diagnostics, and maintenance best practices. His reputation as a teacher and leader within the aviation community has helped shape the next generation of pilots and mechanics in Alaska.”
Terry is a humble soul and takes great happiness in seeing the joy that a first flight can bring someone and his attitude is always one of quiet appreciation. As we listened to stories of how he has watched folks react to their time in the air with him, we all could appreciate the joy that he takes in the experiences of others. As I looked around the room while the ceremony was taking place, I saw a tremendous amount of aviation history gathered in that small room. No matter what their role was in aviation, pilot, mechanic, dispatcher, private pilot, commercial pilot, we were all gathered to pay homage to one amazing individual, one of our own. If you see Terry out and about Cordova, please take some time to congratulate him on this tremendous honor.
Wendy Ranney is a Cordova resident and City Council member.
