Two Senior Aviation Mechanics Honored by the Federal Aviation Administration for Lifetime Accomplishments
Flexjet LLC announces that senior mechanics Donald Albrecht and Robert Mervar have received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award, the highest honor available to an aviation mechanic.
Named for Charles Taylor, an early collaborator of the Wright brothers who built the first aircraft engine and is acknowledged as the first aviation mechanic, the award is presented by the FAA to honor the lifetime achievements of senior aviation mechanics. Conferred by FAA administrator, Michael P. Huerta, the award recognizes “the professionals who inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair the engines, structure and onboard systems of all types of aircraft.”
“We are proud that Don Albrecht and Bob Mervar have been recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration for this distinguished honor,” says Flexjet chief executive officer, Michael Silvestro. “Don and Bob exemplify the daily heroics of the Flexjet and Flight Options mechanics who keep our aircraft in the air and our flight crews and passengers safe.”
“It seems fitting that Bob and I won this at the same time, since we worked together in the military and we’ve both been at this airport since the 1970s,” says Albrecht at the presentation ceremony Wednesday. “It’s been a long career and a good career. It goes pretty fast.”
Albrecht, of Painesville, OH, began his career in 1966 at the U.S. Air Force’s Amarillo Air Force Base, working as a jet engine technician. After graduating from the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Albrecht joined Ohio Aviation Company. He then worked for 23 years at Rockwell Automation/Reliance Electric before joining Flexjet’s sister company, Flight Options, in 1998. After working as director of Aircraft Maintenance for TRW Flight Services and Steiner Aviation for three years, Albrecht rejoined Flight Options in 2004. He holds multiple professional licenses and certifications and currently serves as a quality assurance consultant, auditing the computerized maintenance tracking systems for Flight Options and Flexjet.
Mervar, of Euclid, OH, also began his career in 1966 at Amarillo Air Force Base. After completion of his military service, Mervar graduated from the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. He worked for several aviation companies, including Midwest Aviation, Mercury Aviation, TRW Flight Services and Eagles Wings Aviation, before joining Flexjet’s sister company, Flight Options, in 2001. He currently serves as a quality assurance auditor and manages the weight and balance program for a fleet of more than 100 aircraft at Flight Options and Flexjet. In addition to his professional licenses and certifications, Mervar holds a private pilot license.