Charles Taylor II To Speak At Aviation Industry Week

Cygnus Expositions, producers of Aviation Industry Week, announced that Charles Taylor II, the great grandson of Orville and Wilbur Wright's mechanic Charles Taylor, will speak at the upcoming show, to be held May 18-20, 2004, in Las Vegas (NV). Charles Taylor worked for the Wright brothers for 29 years and made the airplane engine that powered their first flight. Taylor II will present an historical slideshow about his grandfather, Charles Taylor, on Wednesday, May 19, at Aviation Industry Week in a session hosted by Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine.

In 1902, Orville and Wilbur Wright were about to introduce mankind to powered flight, but first they needed an engine. Charles Taylor helped the Wrights make sketches of various parts for the engine, and then spent six weeks building the engine by hand. The engine worked perfectly. Taylor remained with the Wrights for the next 29 years. He was the first airplane mechanic, the first airport manager, the first airplane crash investigator, the chief mechanic on the first cross country flight, a signing witness to the first army airplane contract, the owner of the first American flag to fly on an airplane, and the only person to work for both the Wright brothers and Henry Ford in the Wright Bicycle Shop. Taylor died in 1956 at the age of 87. He was a true American hero.

"We are quite thrilled to have the great grandson of the first aircraft maintenance mechanic at our gathering to honor this pioneer in aircraft maintenance," says Greg Napert, Publisher, Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine. "It's long overdue that the aviation maintenance community be educated on this American hero who contributed so clearly to the success of the Wright brothers' aircraft. Without aircraft maintenance professionals, airplanes would not have become the safe and efficient form of transportation that they are today. Charles Taylor II will share family stories and photos of his great grandfather in a fascinating and engaging slide show."

"I look forward to attending the Aviation Industry week conference and sharing the story of my great-grandfather, Charles Taylor," says Charles Taylor II. "What is most important is that we recognize today's mechanics who have many of the same qualities as Charles Taylor. I will be honored to meet all of you and bring the Charles Taylor story alive."

Taylor II will be available for questions and autographs at AMT magazine's booth following his presentation. Taylor II is currently owner of Taylor Microcomputer Consulting Inc., in Chicago (IL). 

FMI: www.AviationIndustryWeek.com