SEATTLE, – In a ceremony at The Museum of Flight on Aug. 11, Alaska Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) celebrated Charles E. Taylor, the machinist who worked with the Wright Brothers and built the engine used in their first powered aircraft.
The afternoon celebration was held next to an Alaska Airlines 737 airliner that was positioned inside of the Museum’s parking lot adjacent the runways at Boeing Field. The event also marked the dedication of a bronze bust of Taylor to the Museum from the AMFA.
Speakers at the event included Alaska Airlines President, Brad Tilden; Fred Mohr, Alaska Airlines Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering; AMFA National Director, Louie Key, and the great grandson of “the first aircraft mechanic,” Charles E. Taylor II. The outside of the airliner at the ceremony sported a new logo–saluting Taylor and Alaska Airlines technicians–displayed next to the main cabin door. The Taylor sculpture will be on permanent display in the Museum’s gallery devoted to the Wright Brothers and the early history of aviation.
Photo: Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden at Museum of Flight ceremony. Photo courtesy The Museum of Flight.
Charles Taylor Lecture
On Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. there will be a lecture and book signing at the Museum by Peter J. Unitt, based upon his biography of Charles E. Taylor, “An American Original – Charlie Taylor.”
www.museumofflight.org