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FAA presents two major awards posthumously to Russ Lewis
Posted December 03, 2013
The FAA presented both the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award last month to Russell Lewis, a 60-year United technician who passed away earlier this year while on leave from his job at the San Francisco Maintenance Center.
The Taylor Award recognizes aviation mechanics with at least 50 years of experience, including at least 30 years as an FAA-certified mechanic. It is named after Charles Taylor, who as the Wright brothers' mechanic is considered the first aviation mechanic in powered flight.
Russ Lewis' family with the awards.
The presentation was made to Russ' family members during a ceremony at the Jet Shop cafeteria, which many of Russ' colleagues and friends attended.
"Russ was one of our most senior employees, and I considered him a mechanic's mechanic," said Engine Maintenance Managing Director Dave Van Wart. "He had a passion for aviation, whether it was flying planes or maintaining them."
Russ served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aircraft mechanic and later as a pilot on the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina, a flying boat, and the PB4Y-2 Privateer, a land-based patrol bomber. Russ started with United as a mechanic in 1953. During his career, which included time as a lead technician, he “inspired and trained generations of fellow pilots and mechanics,” said Powerplant Technician and IBT Jet Shop Chief Steward Steve Anderson.
Russ was an avid pilot, qualified on instruments and on multi-engine aircraft, and a certified instructor. He also restored a number of vintage aircraft. As such, he is one of the few Taylor Award recipients who also qualified for the Wright Brothers award, which recognizes pilots with more than 50 years of safe piloting experience. One of his flying students was Machinist Evan Sather, who was among a core of dozens of employees who took the steps necessary to ensure Russ received the prestigious awards despite his death in August.
"He was a great teacher and colleague," Evan said. "There are a lot of people here who worked hard to make sure Russ is properly remembered for everything he did for United and for aviation."
Posted December 03, 2013
The FAA presented both the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award last month to Russell Lewis, a 60-year United technician who passed away earlier this year while on leave from his job at the San Francisco Maintenance Center.
The Taylor Award recognizes aviation mechanics with at least 50 years of experience, including at least 30 years as an FAA-certified mechanic. It is named after Charles Taylor, who as the Wright brothers' mechanic is considered the first aviation mechanic in powered flight.
Russ Lewis' family with the awards.
The presentation was made to Russ' family members during a ceremony at the Jet Shop cafeteria, which many of Russ' colleagues and friends attended.
"Russ was one of our most senior employees, and I considered him a mechanic's mechanic," said Engine Maintenance Managing Director Dave Van Wart. "He had a passion for aviation, whether it was flying planes or maintaining them."
Russ served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aircraft mechanic and later as a pilot on the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina, a flying boat, and the PB4Y-2 Privateer, a land-based patrol bomber. Russ started with United as a mechanic in 1953. During his career, which included time as a lead technician, he “inspired and trained generations of fellow pilots and mechanics,” said Powerplant Technician and IBT Jet Shop Chief Steward Steve Anderson.
Russ was an avid pilot, qualified on instruments and on multi-engine aircraft, and a certified instructor. He also restored a number of vintage aircraft. As such, he is one of the few Taylor Award recipients who also qualified for the Wright Brothers award, which recognizes pilots with more than 50 years of safe piloting experience. One of his flying students was Machinist Evan Sather, who was among a core of dozens of employees who took the steps necessary to ensure Russ received the prestigious awards despite his death in August.
"He was a great teacher and colleague," Evan said. "There are a lot of people here who worked hard to make sure Russ is properly remembered for everything he did for United and for aviation."